Happy Holidays

Principal Visit
As a principal I am very fortunate to have a very collaborative Kahui Ako which allows me to connect with local principals and talk about our roles. We plan to connect a few times a term and provide time to discuss strategically as we all navigate our roles in our school. 
I am also very fortunate to collaborate across the country with principals in other areas of New Zealand. 
Earlier this week I travelled to Queenstown to spend some time with the principal at Shotover School. As Shotover School is also relatively new (Being built 7 years ago) it allowed me to discuss areas of development and areas of success as we navigate the next stage of our educational pathway. 
I find these opportunities valuable and worthwhile as part of my development as a principal. 

Year 8s
To our Year 8s, I wish you all the best for your education and know that you are ready for High School. The next stage of your development will see you challenged with the opportunities available. Make sure you are confident and maintain that mantra that you are always working towards being the 'Best of You as You'.
As you move on, as staff we stay behind but we are forever connected and teachers play a unique role in your own growth and development. Please remember that you are always welcome to call in and say hello, share stories of what you are doing and stand proud of the successes you are achieving. I myself still talk to my Year 8 teacher who taught me in 1997. 
Best of luck for your future! Continue to be AMAZING!

Staff Departure
One of our foundation staff members, Mel Stenhouse has tendered her resignation and will not be returning to Lemonwood Grove School in 2021. 
Currently our Reading Recovery teacher, Mel Stenhouse has been at LWG since it opened and has had a range of roles in the school.
We wish Mel all the best in whatever adventure she has planned next. 

Staff Arrival
We have finalised our staffing for 2021 with the arrival of Kiri McArthur to our full time teaching team. Kiri will be teaching in Year 4/5 and will be a familiar face to many of our learners as she has been a regular reliever over the last term. Kiri is a beginning teacher and it is exciting that we can be a major part of the start of her teaching career. 

Class Lists
Our class lists have now been finalised for 2021 and as Whanau you will be informed of your child's placement on Monday 14th December. 
We appreciate all those who made contact to make suggestions around friendships and we have done our best to accomodate. 
We continue to grow and now have 26 Whanau classes across 4 learning landscapes. 

Holidays
The holidays are soon to be upon us and the beauty of New Zealand at this time of year is there is no excuse not to get outside and enjoy the weather that Summer has on offer. 
I challenge you all to maintain your good behaviour and attitude for your family and in our community. The greatest accomplishment is being able to transfer skills from a school setting into a different environment because it is the right thing to do and when you don't have the teacher reminding you. 
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 
Please stay safe over the festive season and I look forward to seeing you all back in 2021.