How great is the photo for this story showing some of our learners in Te Ara Tupu participating in a recent Art Day. They loved working with clay, ink, paint, pastels, paper and other art media. Check out their beautiful creations on their learning studio walls.

Thank you to all of the whānau who took the time to complete our recent community consultation survey. We had approximately 300 responses from whānau, staff and senior learners. Tonight the Board of Trustees will analyse all of the information regarding Year 7/8 technology provision, including all of the responses and comments received in the survey. I will update you with the BoT's findings. Over the term we will also analyse all of the data related to our school's vision and values.

We had some super results from our sports teams again this week at the zone competition. We had some third placings and our Year 5/6 Netball team beat all local schools and will represent our school and zone at the Canterbury Championships. This team is coached by Mrs Amanda Clarkson and Karly Te Karu. Thanks also to the other coaches and support people: Kimberley Spooner, Hemi Paniora, Miss Rebecca Lambert, Miss Kendra Ward, Miss Madeleine Walker and Mr Pete Northmore.  We now have a hockey team, a basketball team and a netball team who have progressed through to Canterbury!

This week we received the resignations from our GROW [PTA] Chairperson Kylie Drake and Secretary Kelly Ewen. I would like to acknowledge all of the amazing work that Kylie and Kelly, and their husbands Craig and Steve, have done as a result of their shared leadership. It is a massive undertaking and our learners love all of the new resources, sports and cultural costumes, and play areas that have been introduced as a direct result of your aroha and efforts - thank you. 

When Nathan Currie established GROW as the foundation Chairperson in 2016 he had the vision of GROW members working on different projects as suited their passions and availability. Moving forward this is how GROW will continue to function, working closely with myself and Amanda Clarkson as the GROW treasurer. There are two major projects underway at the moment. The September raffle fundraiser is being co-lead by Nicole Richards and Laetitia Jones and all monies raised will go towards our bike track. The cheese roll fundraiser is being co-lead by Jo Burnett, Steph Hautler, Alan Whitmore and Nina Greene and all monies raised will contribute towards the cost of senior camps in 2022. There is a nomination box in the office for the current vacant GROW roles and a by-election meeting will be held on Monday 23 August at 7pm in the staffroom, all welcome.

Please please please can I do a wee shout out for ROAD SAFETY. Our numbers of learners wearing safety vests and bag covers to and from school is dwindling. I really need whānau support on this please. Thanks to our families who do regularly support this safety initiative which is part of our uniform policy.

Finally, I really hope you are able to come along on Monday night at 6.30pm to Te Ara Maia for a BoT funded important Cyber Safety Session for parents and whānau with the film-makers Our Kids On Line. Here is the link to the trailer: 

www.vimeo.com/ondemand/ourkidsonline 

Ngā mihi

Sylvia