Kia ora e te whānau / Greetings West Melton families

It is hard to believe we are two weeks out from the next holidays and daylight saving is just around the corner. It is nice to see the warmer weather creeping in too.

Our tamariki have experienced a number of events and highlights the last couple of weeks. Teams participated in the Selwyn Zone Rugby and Netball Tournament, the Year 5 and 6 Netball Festival, Porters and Mt Cheeseman Ski Competitions and the Canterbury Duathlon. Well done to all competitors and congratulations to the following teams for heading off to the Canterbury Winter Tournament: Year 5 and 6 netball, Year 7 and 8 netball, Year 7 and 8 rugby. They will be joining the Y7 and 8 football team at the competition. Well done to Elsie S for achieving third place in her age group at the Canterbury Duathlon and Eva R and Arlan M for a top 10 finish.

On Monday night Pippa R represented West Melton School at the Selwyn Year 7 and 8 Speech competition. Huge congratulations to Pippa for achieving second place.

Next week I have the privilege of attending the NZ Principals Conference being held in Queenstown. It is a great opportunity to get principals in one room and discuss what is on topic for schools. One topic that will be discussed will be the shortage of relievers across the country. This is no different in Canterbury. West Melton School has a number of amazing relievers that we utilise regularly which helps with consistency and familiarity. However this has been a challenge recently and we have had to be very creative to ensure that there are teachers in front of our student's.

Tī Kōuka is near completion and just getting the final touch ups. It looks fantastic and we are excited about moving back in. All going to plan this will be by the end of this term. Documentation is with the Council and we are waiting for the issue of compliance to then be able to move in.

There have been a number of concerns raised regarding the behaviour of drivers around the school, particularly at pick up time around 3 pm. Please do not park on yellow lines, drive on the footpath, park across residents driveways, speed around the crescent and through the road patrol. Next year we will be moving to a 30km speed limit around the school, so this might be an appropriate time to start practising. Now that the lights are operational we will be reviewing our safe travel plan in conjunction with the Council.

Save the date … On the morning of Sunday 15 October we have organised a working bee at school and would love some help. Caretaker Sam is busy putting a list of jobs that he would love to tick off his list which will include getting the swimming pool area ready for opening. More information will follow.

The Student Exec have been busy planning a PJ Day to raise money for the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust. This will be a gold coin donation and held on Friday 22 September (last day of school). They are also hard at work organising the Annual West Melton's Got Talent. Information on both events will be out soon.

Have a great two weeks.

Ngā mihi nui

Tracey