Kia ora e ngā whānau,

It’s the fourth term already and lots is happening at Te Rā - the fourth term always seems to be  busy and full of life!

Always feel free to connect and ask if there is anything you need to know. I hope you are looking after your hauora and that we can all enjoy school and life as we move towards the summer solstice.

A few weeks ago I went up to see the Class 5s at their Olympic Camp at Forest Lakes. Class 5s from Te Rā, Taikura Rudolf Steiner School and Raphael House come together, and the highlight of the camp is a 'mini olympics' where the students compete in events that were part of the pentathlon in the ancient Olympics. Studying ancient Greece is part of the curriculum for Class 5, and this event gives the students a chance to have a lived experience of the ethos and vibe of these times. It was amazing to see the supportive, happy atmosphere at the camp and to see the way the students engage. 

On the same day, I also got to watch our Class 7 touch team playing their first game of the season - a cold spring evening but it's always great to see the team playing with such enthusiasm and also to see the way they have developed as players and as a team over the last four years. 

Events like this are only possible with the support of parents and we are really grateful that so many of you give your time to be part of these experiences for the students. A particular shout out to Jason Boyd, who has coached the Class 7 team for many years. This year we had 21 students wanting to play and only one person available to coach.....so Jason has put his hand up to coach both the teams! This is a big commitment and I know the players, and their parents, really appreciate it.

Ngā mihi whakawhetai  ki a koutou! Thank you all for your support.

Last Friday we joined other schools performing at Takiri o te Ata - the annual kapa haka festival. This year it was held at Southwards theater. All of our students from Classes 4-7 were part of this and we are one of the only schools in Kāpiti that has all students as a part of the performance group. This is the culmination of a lot of work that Rongo does with our ākonga over the year.

This year was well supported by lots of our whānau.

Earlier this week we also had our Parihaka assembly. An age appropriate story was shared, waitata sung, class 7 shared poetry and then shared bread they had made with each class. Students then went back to their classrooms and did art with their teacher. The photo above was done by one of our class 1 students.

Our next newsletter will showcase photos from our camps, festivals and performances.

Thanks again and come and see me any time if there is anything you need to know or talk about.

Ngā mihi

David