Tumuaki Pānui
Kia ora koutou e nga matua, e nga whānau, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Konichiwa!
Another week, another change in alert levels...and another chance for our awesome community to show how supportive you all are. Thank you once again for your support and quick adaptation to the change in levels. We were very fortunate to be able to go ahead with all planned events. Huge acknowledgement to the organisers and volunteers involved in the running of the Year 5 - 8 Swimming and Triathlon events. We wish all the representatives heading to the Zone events in the coming weeks all the best.
Today, ākonga attended the Science Roadshow being hosted at our school. Looking around, everyone was engaged in some form of science investigation or activity. The rich conversations were fascinating to listen to. Congratulations to the Year 4 ākonga, parents and teachers, who returned home yesterday from a very successful camp to Living Springs.
Deputy Principal Appointment
After an intensive and thorough appointments process we are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Maddren as our new First Deputy Principal. He will bring plenty of skills, experience and talent to WMS when he joins us at the beginning of Term 2. There is a separate article from Mark introducing himself to the community.
Ako Conversations
Just a reminder that we have Ako Conversations next week. This is a great way to connect with your child's teacher. Bookings close on Monday 15 March.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
This year, we are starting our journey into a 3 year programme called 'Positive Behaviour for Learning" or PB4L (for short). This programme helps schools develop a framework that promotes a positive, inclusive culture and climate.
We have made a commitment as a school to cultivate and grow our school-wide practices of managing behaviour,
Knowing that it will help strengthen and support the great things that already happening at West Melton School, Te Kura o Papatahora.
What is Positive Behaviour for Learning?
Positive Behaviour for Learning (School-Wide) is an initiative from the Ministry of Education. It aims to provide a positive school climate and to create a supportive environment for personal, social and academic growth for students and staff.
It is an evidence-based framework and looks at behaviour and learning from a whole school and individual student perspective. It takes the approach that opportunities for learning, progress and achievement increase if:
the school environment is positive and supportive
expectations are consistently clear
students are consistently taught expected behaviours
expected behaviours are consistently acknowledged
inappropriate behaviours are consistently responded to in a fair and equitable way
We look forward to sharing more information about PB4L-SW with the school community and we will be seeking your input as the year progresses. Further information about PB4L-SW can be found on the website:
Road Safety
You may have noticed that this is becoming a recurring theme. We are very conscious of the increase in traffic and the implications for our ākonga travelling around the area. As a school we will be focusing on road safety throughout the year. This is also an area that our Student Exec are going to promote, so keep an eye out for their initiatives.
Enjoy the rest of the week and the weekend
Ngā mihi nui
Tracey Riley
Principal / Tumuaki