I have shared the organisation for 2020, after our recent successful recruitment drive. The school map illustrates the structure of the school with spaces, year levels and collaborative teaching teams.

Considerations on the organisation for next year included:

• Building relationships

• Transitioning of learners - where possible a teacher from the current year moves with the children into the next year

• Younger learners having easier access to outside learning spaces

• Intermediate learners in a larger space

• Teacher/ learner ratios

• Flexibility of placing learners according to their needs

• Teacher strengths

• Continuation with Darren Smalley teaching Science across the school every morning and all day Thursday as part of the FAB 5 team

• Fab5 includes, Science, Visual Arts, Te Reo, Music and PE

• Year 5 and 6 learning spaces include Ngaio, Matai and Matai 1 and 2. We wanted all learners in the same vacinity for ease of learning and organisation

The placement of learners is an involved process with numerous discussions with staff. We want to make the best decision for each individual learner. If you have a specific request for our consideration for your child's placement next year, please email your child's current pod teacher. We respectfully request, they are in writing. To enable us to finalise learner placements, requests will close on the 11 November as we are already in discussions regarding placements.

Staffing resignations and appointments

Julia Cider has taken a years refreshment leave for 2020. Julia has been teaching at West Melton School for ten years and prior to this was a learning assistant and a parent with her two children going through West Melton School, both who are now at university. Julia is spending time in both New Zealand and The United Kingdom, with family and her children.  We wish Julia a wonderful year and will miss her! We look forward to seeing her back in 2021!

At the last board meeting, the board reluctantly accepted Aaron Taylor’s resignation. We would like to thank and acknowledge the great work Aaron has been involved with, during the three years he has been with us. His drive, passion, experience and sense of humour has made it a pleasure to have worked with him. I would like to thank him for his huge involvement in the role as sports coordinator - a role which continues to grow as we build on the many sporting opportunities for our learners. Aaron takes up a leadership position at a school in town commencing next year.

We farewell Leanne Morgan who joined us this year in the Mānuka team. Leanne has won a permanent teaching position at a school in East Christchurch. We would like to thank Leanne for her wonderful contributions this year and wish her well in her new school.

We say goodbye to Anita for next year as she embarks on a wee adventure - motherhood! Anita has been working in the Mānuka community this year and is on maternity leave for 2020. We look forward to seeing Anita and baby early next year and wish her well in her new career!

We also farewell Anna Bray and Rachel Belkin who were part of our FAB5 team of specialist teachers. We thank them both for their energy, drive and skill they have brought to our children. We wish them both the best for their future teaching career.

We welcome to the staff...

Colleen, who is an experienced teacher with passions and experiences in leadership, maths, positive education, and sports. Colleen will be working alongside Anna with our intermediate learners in the Totara learning space in 2020. She will also take the responsibility as the schoolwide sports coordinator working with Rita and the team. We look forward to working with Colleen.

Brianna is a beginning teacher with strong interests in physical education, health, mathematics, and technology. She is driven and provides fun and worthwhile lessons for her learners. Brianna believes in getting outside of the classroom providing great real-life learning opportunities. She will bring a great balance of fun and composure in the class as well as new and creative initiatives meeting the needs and interests of our learners. Brianna was a teacher trainee earlier in the year working with Christina Sands. We are delighted to welcome back Brianna who will be working with the year 5 and 6 learners.

The close collaborative team and our strong 'DRIVER' values are what attracted Vanessa to apply to teach at West Melton School! Vanessa is an experienced and skilled teacher with three main attributes that she believes in; creating a nurturing environment focused on relationships, effective positive classroom management and inspiring children's interest with learning through different tools and technologies. We look forward to working with Vanessa next year. She will be working with our year 2 and 3 learners.