We welcome new students, whanau and staff to our GLS family. We are proud of our students and staff as together we welcomed our new people with a traditional Maori welcome; a powhiri.

Our friends at Downers stopped work and watched this special welcome. Our Kaumatua; Taura Eruera guided us on the morning. We wish to acknowledge Whaea Paddy Flavell for teaching the school about this special process and learning waiata and as each event passes we will continue to strengthen our school practice. Welcome to our three new teachers; Jody Hayes Year 1/2, Cristina Cochrane Year 3/4, Kate Ginders Year 3/4 and Eliza Copas, Office Administrator and Eloise Woodley-Phillips, Learning Assistant,  one week old today!

Plans afoot for our move next week!

Our parent connect opportunity with parents and teachers yesterday, was a great chance for parents to hear from their teaching team and ask questions. Thank you to all the teachers and parents who attended. The information which was shared can be found below. Our teachers are looking forward to creating learning in their new spaces and I know that the students will share in their enthusiasm when they too see them.

A special dawn blessing by our local Grey Lynn School Kaumatua

In Maoridom, the completion of a new building heralds a dawn blessing on those who will reside in it now and in the future. All staff, students, families are invited to participate in a dawn blessing of our learning spaces on Wednesday 8th May at dawn: 7:05 am. Assemble at the front of the school at 6:45 am for a 7:05 am start. Our kaumatua will name the building in his karakia and then bless each space. Everyone will follow our kaumatua through the entire building. If you would like to come please let us know by using the form in link below.

https://forms.gle/4B9fmeA8XLNMRviq6

Our plan for our shift will be finalised on Tuesday afternoon next week once the Auckland Council give us the all clear to occupy. The project team are very confident that this will happen and we are all keen to get across. If in the unlikely event that we do not get green light; the move and set up plan will be transferred and delayed by exactly a week. We appreciate your flexibility with this matter should it occur. We will let you know as soon as possible on Tuesday. Regardless of what the outcome from the council is; our dawn blessing on Wednesday will still go ahead. We cannot wait to share and show off our spaces with you on Wednesday.

Timeline:

Wednesday 8th May: Dawn blessing 7:05 am

Thursday 9th May: Pack down of current spaces, Crown Removals/staff shift Grey Lynn school across to new spaces

Friday 10th May: Staff only day at GLS

Monday 13th May: Celebration day at GLS for kids and staff as we start in our new spaces.

Today my predecessor; past Principal Bill Barker, who along with the architects from Pacific Environments, who designed our building; came to see their visions realised in the physical building. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to talk and walk through the building hearing their passion and hopes through the design. It was a fantastic opportunity. We thank you all for your vision and tenacity to make this happen for Grey Lynn School students and families!

Thank you all families for your support as we turn the page on a new chapter in our history here at Te Rae o Kahwharu: Grey Lynn School.

“It takes the best in each one of us to make the best world for all of us” Hallmark

Nga mihi

Alicia Whata
Principal
Grey Lynn School

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