Kia ora koutou e nga matua,e nga whanau,Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Konichiwa!

Well winter is certainly here! How grateful we are that during lockdown we had such beautiful weather. It's so good to see the sun again today. 

We had glimpses of our Kā Tiritiri-o-te-moana | Southern Alps catching the sun as the snow sparkled on the peaks on Tuesday. The view from our Mānuka verandah and Totara learning spaces are magnificent. How lucky are we to live in such a beautiful place!

Once again we are at the end of a term...probably one of longest and more challenging ones we have experienced in a long time! I am sure you are looking forward to having some quality time with family and friends.

Thank you for your ongoing support, understanding and kindness during this term. We are able to take away lots of learning as a result of what New Zealand has been through, more specifically how we have delivered learning and focused on well being for all since late March.

As part of our evaluations regarding home learning during COVID-19, all Kāhui Ako schools are seeking feedback from our communities by means of a simple survey that will take up to 10 minutes to complete.

The more responses we receive the greater insight we will have into how our learning community coped during the lockdown and as we transitioned back to school. Currently we have received over 1000 responses! Kai pai!

This survey is being completed by learners, staff and communities.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to complete the survey please take the time to click on the link as it closes at 5pm tonight. https://forms.gle/vPx48kAmsZCo5Fzd8

We look forward to receiving your feedback.

If you are taking the opportunity to travel, take care on the roads and have a great time wherever you are heading. If you aren’t travelling, enjoy the opportunity to step off the treadmill and enjoy some quality time with family and friends!

Have a safe, enjoyable and relaxing holiday ready and refreshed for term 3.

Health and Safety

Last week I met with Stephanie Haulter (Selwyn Distrcit Council) to discuss the safety of children arriving and departing school. We are looking forward to having the suggested changes to help keep our tamariki and community safe implemented as soon as possible.

Friends of West Melton School (FoWMS)

On Tuesday last week the Friends of West Melton School met for the Annual General Meeting followed by the monthly meeting. It was nice to connect and catch up with everyone!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Amelia Leadbetter who has been a member for the last 5 years, 3 of those as the chairperson. It has been a pleasure to have worked with Amelia achieving many projects and events during this time supporting learners, staff and community. She has led her team with commitment, dedication and DRIVE. We acknowledged Amelia’s valuable contribution with a bunch of flowers. Thank you Amelia.

We welcomed new members to the team and thank Sarah McPhee who continues her role as Treasurer and Amy Barrow as Secretary. Cynthia Endicott Davies continues her role as Deputy Chair. The chair position is yet to be filled.

Currently there is a small team working behind the scenes planning for the school fete to be held on 28 March 2021. The board of trustees are in discussions with staff, learners and FoWMS as to projects the fete funding could be used for. More information will follow.

Another area the FoWMS support the school and community is with pastoral care. This could be baking, financially, touching base with new whānau, sharing a coffee, meetings etc. We are very appreciative of the care, thought and time the FoWMS provide for our community.

As a way to support those in our school community, the Friends of West Melton School (FoWMS) have a Pastoral Care Fund.

The main purpose of the fund is to help support families in our school community in any way necessary.

If you would like more information please contact Susan Jackson, Principal, principal@westmelton.school.nz.

Mihi Whakatau

On Friday 24 July at 10.15am in our Wharenui, we will be welcoming new staff, learners and whānau to our school with our Mihi Whakatau.

This will be followed by kai in our Rauhi | staffroom space.

Please join us to welcome everyone to our school community.