Kia ora tatou, greetings to all of our Wairakei School community.

Well here we are again at the end of another year, and what a busy one 2019 has been, filled with a few highs and lows along the way. It was with much relief that negotiations were successfully concluded between the NZEI (Teachers Union) and the Ministry of Education to achieve better working conditions, support and resources, along with better pay for all teaching and support staff across NZ public schools. I am sure you agree that the staff deserve this recognition for the absolutely brilliant job that they do in contributing to our children’s learning.

Out of the tragic mosque shootings in March we have seen a greater sense of community focus on wellbeing across our city and indeed right across NZ and internationally. The Mana Ake services have been well utilised for those needing a level peer support and guidance over any challenging issues.

Our students have continued to be absolutely brilliant with lots of milestone achieved, capped off with many events during this final term including:

• Year 5 camp activities

• Cobham and/or Breens entrance testing for our departing Year 6 students

• Wai-iti and Wairere Athletics Assemblies

• Music Festival and Wairakei Choir performance

• CanSail experience on Fox II on the Lyttelton harbour

• Experience Waimairi-iri Day at Burnside HS

• Keyboard concert and School end of year concert

• Swim Safe programme at Jellie Park

• Year 6 leavers dinner and prize giving on Dec 12 – this year we celebrated an extra-large contingent of 55 students!

• The family fun and activities day on Dec 13

• And today’s final morning at school concluding with the Christmas assembly to mark the beginning of another well-earned summer holiday for all students and staff.

I encourage you to take a moment to browse through the2019 Wairakei School Yearbook. This publication captures a snapshot of the many happenings during the year ranging from Music to Enviro Ed to Sports and Basketball, to the wide range of educational milestones achieved by our students right across the school.

We have had ongoing liaison with the Ministry of Education through 2019 as part of the planning and design for the remaining redevelopment of the school - including on the Hall, Admin, Library and Hub, plus refurbishing the classrooms previously occupied by Ferndale. The arrival of new classrooms at the Eastern End of the school will hopefully permit much of the redevelopment works to occur during 2020 with minimal disruption, finished off with enhancements being made to the central paved court areas and improvements to the school entrance drop and off facilities.

Meri Kirihimete to all of our students and whanau on behalf of the school Board of Trustees, our Principal and Staff. Best wishes and have a safe and happy holiday season with family and friends.

Jason Bretherton

Chairperson,

Wairakei School Board of Trustees