Tēna Koutou

One week to go! The finish line is not too far away. There is certainly a buzz in the air as the children (and staff) look forward to the Christmas break. We just need to get the weather sorted before we head off. The much anticipated annual Year 8 V Staff water fight is a discussion point in the staffroom. The staff are having to think tactically as the number of opponents increases each year. I look forward to joining the Year 8 students and parents this evening at the Leavers Dinner. It is hard to believe that they are heading off to bigger pastures when it seems like they were only just 5 and on previsits!

Staffing

We have nearly completed our staffing for the year. We welcome Liz Griffiths to the Mānuka team.

Liz is an experienced teacher who is currently teaching at Haeata. Her 2023 pod enjoyed meeting her yesterday.

We are interviewing today for the recently vacated teaching position in the Toetoe team. All going to plan the new teacher will be announced early next week.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a thank you to several members of our staff who will not be joining us at the start of next year.

Lindsay Bromley is leaving us after nearly 27 years at West Melton School! Lindsay has had many roles during her tenure including teacher aide, bus supervisor, administrator and librarian. She quietly beavers away behind the scenes - always reliable and well organised. Lindsay is the go to person when you just need jobs done! She has the library running efficiently with many children gaining pleasure out of the new books she carefully selects and purchases.

On behalf of the past and present Board, staff, student's and community I want to thank you for your service to our school and education and all the time, effort and dedication you have given to ensure our ākonga have the best deal at West Melton School. We will miss you but wish you all the best with your retirement.

Dr. Darren Smalley joined our team in March 2016. He has taught in various year levels in the school and has also taken on the role of chief scientist. The children enjoy his sense of humour, unique ways of sharing information and his engaging science experiments. We thank Darren for mahi at WMS and wish Darren all the best as he joins the Hornby High team.

Barbara Roundhill joined our team in February 2022 for Term 1 and then very kindly committed to teaching in WMI for the rest of the year. We have valued and appreciated Barbara’s work ethic, flexibility and dedication, ensuring that our ākonga have the best learning outcomes that they can. I am sure we will see Barbara next year in some capacity.

We thank Janette Bowen. Janette has been the important fifth teacher that joins the Kōwhai teaching team as our roll grows in the Year 0 area. Janette brings an intensive knowledge of ‘play’ and I know the ākonga have benefited tremendously from this. Janette is a regular guest teacher in Kōwhai so there is no doubt that we will see her again.

Nicole Dunlop will not be joining us next year as she has exciting news. Baby number two is on its way! We wish Nicole and her husband Brad all the best for their new addition to the family and look forward to sharing the news sometime in Term 2. .

Erin Capon joined our Learning Assistant team in July 2021. We are going to miss her happy, positive nature and her dedication to improving student learning. Erin has caught the teaching bug, applying and then being accepted into University of Canterbury to train as a teacher. We wish her all the best with her studies.

You may have noticed in the last newsletter that Jeanette Neal (current Learning Support Coordinator) and Pam Berry-Mason (current Kōwhai Leader of Learning) have exchanged roles for 2023. They are looking forward to developing their professional knowledge and skills in different contexts. 

Next week …

We have three Celebrations of Learning next week to acknowledge our ākonga.

The first is on Monday 12 December and is held in the Kaurapa. This will be the time to acknowledge and celebrate ākonga that have given service to the school, recent sporting achievements and WM Got Talent winners.

Our final end of year Celebrations will be held on Wednesday 14 December at the West Melton Community Centre. The junior celebration (Years 0 - 4) will be held at 11:00am followed by the senior celebration (Years 5 - 8) at 1:00pm. The celebrations are a time to acknowledge our Year 8 leavers, present cups and hand out certificates to our Year 0 - 8 ākonga. We look forward to seeing our Kapa Haka group and choir performing.

Just a reminder that we finish at 12:00pm on Friday 16 December and buses will leave soon after.

The start of 2023 - put it in your calendar

The following dates are confirmed for the start of next year.

Tuesday 31 January

• Ako Conversations

  • School is open, children only come to school with their parents for their meeting to discuss, see the Ako Conversation article in this newsletter. We will ensure that Busy Bumbles is available for childcare

• Leadership workshop

  • Ms Riley and Mr Maddren will work with ākonga in key leadership positions

Wednesday 1 February

• School as normal for all ākonga

Thursday 9 February (details to follow)

• School Connections meeting (meet the teacher and hear about the programme in your child’s community)

• School Picnic

Enjoy the last week of school. We are excited about 2023. The year is shaping up to be action-packed as we strive to provide the best quality education for our ākonga. I thank you sincerely for your ongoing support of our school and wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a restful and safe holiday break.

Ngā mihi nui

Tracey Riley