Every Monday morning the whole school comes together for assembly. This is a chance to gather together and be and breathe as a whole group.

I enjoy these occasions - it's the main time that I get to connect with the students as a whole group. It's good to see that the students are settling in relaxing into this rhythm too. They come in with piano music playing - often by one of the students. We then share some notices, sing together and speak our karakia whakamutunga before heading back to class. 

There was lots to share this week.....

Our Class 5 netball team (the Te Rā Tuis) won their final on Saturday to come out as winners of the Gold Grade for Year 5 and 6 teams. Our Class 3 and 4 team (the Te Rā Kōtare) were also recognised as the most sporting team in their age group! Ka mau te wehi tamariki mā. Well done to all the players and a huge thank you to Josh Mooney for coaching the Tui and to Libby Hewson and Maddie Walker (ex Te Rā students) for coaching the Kōtare.

Our school has new football goals. We will use these on the side fields so that games there have proper goals!

These goals were purchased with funds from the fundraising group, which looks after the money that is raised by parents - mostly from the Harvest Fair. These funds do not go into the general school finances and are held in a completely separate account. They are only used for particular projects that benefit students directly and which the school would otherwise not be able to afford! Current members of the  Fundraising Group are Sam Bishell, Mike Freeman, Doris Zuur and Tash Robertson. Thanks to all of you for the mahi on fair days!

Lastly today we acknowledged all the work that went into Te Wiki o te Mahi Tahi. I was fortunate to be with the Kai Moana group and learned so much from Christian about the abundance of our local environment. Marina (from Class 6) stood up in assembly to show the school the felting picture she and Grace made in the wet felting workshop with Cat. Beautiful work! We will find a place for this in the foyer of the hall. Thank you again for the many hours of planning that went into this from all workshop organisers! It's a real highlight of the school year.

So - lots going on and lots of life! I hope you've enjoyed this look into the daily life of Te Rā.

Mauri ora

David