As we move into the second half of Term 3, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible spirit of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) that our students and community continue to show towards our kura.

We are so lucky to be placed here, in this corner of Te Wao nui ā Tiriwa and on the fringe of heaven. We have a beautiful kura, which has existed for over 150 years and sat in this spot since the 1930s. This term, we have many exciting projects underway, which reflect our commitment to looking after this special place.

Our swimming pool is undergoing a major transformation to ensure it is safe and ready for the summer season, with new fencing and a fresh repaint. We have also received funding from The Community Trust for a cabin, which we will be turning into a sensory space. This is an idea we trialled in Room 4 with great success.

We also have a wonderful project to create a safe bush path between our two fields. Thanks to the generous support from Air New Zealand and Auckland Council, this path will feature signposting of native trees and stories, connecting us to the rich history of our local area. This path will be a place for learning, reflection, and appreciation of our natural surroundings. As part of this, an outdoor classroom will sit in below the path, providing a unique space for our students to learn and connect with nature.

Finally, we are in the process of hanging our beautiful new mural and school pepeha, a piece of art that represents our identity and our commitment to our community.

Thank you to everyone who is contributing their time, skills and resources to these projects. Your dedication helps us to build a school environment that is not only a place of learning but a true treasure chest for all of us.

Ngā mihi nui,

Andrea