It's hard to believe there are only 13 more school days left before the end of the year! Our Board of Trustees and Staff have been busy planning for another awesome year of learning at LWG.

One of the areas we have been collaborating together on has been the formulation of our Annual Goals for 2019. This Ministry of Education requirement gives schools the ability to create goals based on current needs and aspirations. 

Our draft 2019 goals:

Goal 1: Continuing to invest in senior and middle leadership while ensuring that all staff continue to be reflective in their practice.

Goal 2: Placing a lens on powerful learning by ensuring that our learners can articulate what they are learning, why they are learning and what their next steps are especially in reading, writing and mathematics.

Goal 3: Ensuring that our whānau are connected to their child’s learning by using a variety of approaches.

Goal 4: Providing our learners with a number of opportunities to connect with the local and wider community (including the schools in our Kāhui Ako).

Goal 5: Continuing to develop and enhance our school environment and including our community and student voice in doing so.

Goal 6: Improve the wellbeing amongst a selected targeted group (based on certain criteria to be confirmed).

The Leadership team are currently unpacking some specific actions around these goals. Once this process has been completed we are going to gather feedback from our school community. 

Over the last two weeks we have had a number of learning 'wins' at LWG. The Dances for Schools performance last Friday was incredible. I was so proud of our learners and the passion and energy they demonstrated. It was awesome to see so many parents and family present. 

On Monday our Kapahaka group were invited to perform at a Mihi Whakatau at Waitaha School to welcome reviewers from the Education Review Office. The feedback I have received has been awesome. 

I also want to congratulate Janelle, Caitlin and Paige M who as you know qualified for the Primary Canterbury Athletics on 5 December. Janelle and Caitlin are participating in long jump events and Paige in the 60m sprint. This is a huge achievement for our school. A big thanks to Pip for all her athletics organisation this year.

I have had a great deal of positive feedback recently around the responsiveness of our whānau teachers. As you know, the whānau teacher is the first point of contact for any questions or issues you may have. Our staff do all they can to connect with you and keep you informed about your child(ren). We appreciate the respectful communication you also have with them.

Regards

Sean | Tumuaki

principal@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz