We are very pleased to let you know that the teaching positions for Class 1 and 3 2024 have been confirmed.

Class 1 2024

Ashley Gibbs will take Class 1 next year. Ashley has been at Te Rā since 2022 and is currently teaching our Class 7. She has many years of experience as a Waldorf teacher - both as a handwork teacher and a class teacher. Having worked with Ashley over the past terms, I can see that she is an amazing teacher who brings great care and commitment to the students she teaches! I feel confident that this is a great outcome for the school and for this class group.

Class 3 2024

We have offered this position to Julia Nass. Julia is a South African teacher who is going to immigrate here to take up this position in our school. She has 18 years of teaching experience and has held leadership roles in two previous schools.

We are looking forward to welcoming Julia to Te Rā and can see that she has a lot of great qualities that will add strength to our school.

Korero

On Wednesday evening I went down to Mazengarb Park to watch our under 12 and under 14 touch teams. For those that haven't seen it - touch is a big sport in Kapiti. There are six fields and the games go from 5 - 7.30. It's a really good atmosphere! I love that my children get to play sports and represent their school. I also love those summer evenings at the park and the way that it gives a sense of community connection!

I can see that sports teams are really important to the students - and Te Rā is definitely out there competing and doing well! Being part of these sports leagues and sports events also means our school is out there being a part of things - part of our local community and part of something that connects them with young people from around the rohe. They learn to work together, learn to accept and support eachother and stay active while they are doing it. I can see how much this adds to the development of a strong class culture!

None of this could happen without the support of whānau - so thank you all for the support and for getting behind the teams. In particular though, I want to acknowledge all the parents who give their time and energy to coach teams. At touch, this is Jason Boyd and Simon Bell - Ngā mihi ki a kōrua.

There is so much good work that is needed to keep the school organism healthy and thriving in all aspects - the grounds and property is a big part of this. Jason Gundy has recently been appointed as Property Manager, alongside his existing role as Caretaker. Jason is here early every morning working on the grounds and property, so it is great that he has also agreed to take on this extra work . The Property Manager role has more of a long term focus - working for the Trust as the person responsible for longer term planning around property maintenance. The next big job in this area is to replace the roofing of the Class 4 - 7 buildings. This is scheduled to happen over the summer break - it is much needed and will ensure the long term protection of these buildings (the funding for this comes from the government to the trust - it is money that has to be spent on property maintenance).

I know Jason is always happy to talk to people about what is happening in the property space - so come and have a chat if you want to know more.

I look forward to this last month of term - there are heaps of good things happening!

Ngā mihi mahana nā

David