Kia ora e te whānau 

Isn’t it great to have warm weather? Doesn’t quite work with the Christmas jersey theme though. The children (and staff) are really looking forward to the break. I always appreciated the break from making sure uniforms were clean and making lunches. 

Staffing

It is that time of the year where we acknowledge our staff that are moving on and welcome new staff to our school. There have been a number of changes as opportunities have arisen. We are in the process of appointing two more teaching staff and a part time teacher. 

Thelma Herring is leaving West Melton School after 19 years of service. She is following her passion of literacy, and has taken up the opportunity of teaching literacy intervention groups at Hornby Primary School. We appreciate her dedication, passion and kind manner with our ākonga. Thelma has been an integral part of the West Melton community and we are looking forward to hearing about her new challenge. 

Annalyse Bain will be leaving our school to relocate to Australia to be with her partner and pursue a teaching opportunity there. Annalyse started with us as a beginning teacher and blossomed into a capable, passionate, excellent educator. She always has the student’s best interests at heart and goes the extra mile to support all learners. Annalyse has taken on many leadership opportunities during her time at West Melton ,taking on a mentor teacher role and a Within School Leadership role leading our school in/for well being. She will be greatly missed by students and staff.

Mike James is heading to China to pursue an exciting opportunity to teach with his wife Ruth at an International School.  Mike came to us three years ago as a beginning teacher whose knowledge and ability to get the best out of our ākonga has grown exponentially. 

Annabelle Cloudesley has won a position at Addington School. We have valued her input as a Within School Leader and a resourceful member of our cultural team. The staff have enjoyed her sense of humour and appreciated her contribution to the Mānuka Community and wider team.  

Maggie Nicholson is relocating to Australia to take on a new opportunity outside of teaching next year. She has worked in Kōwhai this year and has brought a positive, kind and empathetic way of working with the children. She worked with the Year 7/8 hip hop group and helped with the garden club. She is always happy to give a helping hand and is adored by all of the Team Tahi children.

We wish all our teachers the best as they embark on their new journeys. 

A big welcome to the following people joining our team in 2025: Toni McIntyre and Amanda-Kate van der Jagt (Year 0-2), Gemma Rowe (Year 3 - 4), Harriet Duffield (Year 5 - 6) and Max Beech (Year 7 - 8). Keep an eye out for their profiles at the start of the year. 

Thank you to Jeanette Neal who is the Leader of Learning in Team Tahi (Kōwhai and Tī Kōuka). Jeanette has decided to step down to take up other leadership roles within the school. We have appreciated her passion, organisation and knowledge. 

Thank you, parents and whānau for your input and involvement with the school this year. We enjoy having you alongside us for the learning journey and appreciate the support and encouragement you give to all of us.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the End of Year Prizegiving assemblies being held Tuesday 10 December. 

• Junior (Years 0 - 4) Assembly 11.00am

• Senior (Years 5 - 8) Assembly 1.00pm

• Year 5-8 student service and leadership certificates will be awarded on Friday 13 December, 9.00am at school

Ngā mihi nui

Tracey Riley