Wakari School has returned from the holiday break ready for action.

I have been really pleased with our return to school in the Orange setting. Tamariki have returned refreshed and ready to learn. Our ability under this setting to return to pretty close to normal has highlighted what a fabulous community of teachers and learners we have at Wakari.

On Tuesday, for the first time in 2022, we held a full staff meeting with us all gathering together to discuss our Maths pedagogy and look at some planning around our Matariki community evening celebration. It was standard stuff for us, but it was great to be together again as a group.

As normal, there is plenty happening in and around the school with some exciting classroom programmes already underway, winter sports cranking up and our Administration Block and Accessibility property project beginning this coming Monday. You may have noticed the skips in the car park along with a container, this is the beginning of our next major property undertaking. Things will be different around the school with the tunnel being blocked, the staff carpark out of use and some of the lower courts inaccessible. We thank you for your patience with this project which is due to finish in March 2023.

Miss Deborah Storer was farewelled by our staff on Tuesday this week. An extremely knowledgeable and passionate educator, a support to all that needed her and a lot of fun to have around, Deb has retired from teaching. She has touched the hearts of hundreds of children and colleagues throughout her extensive career and will be sorely missed. I know you will join me in wishing Deb all the best for the years ahead.

Lastly, a thank you from the staff for the supportive messages we have received around the tragic passing of Dima last week. It was very much appreciated.

As always if I can be of assistance do pop in to see me.

Regards,

Chris