Thank you to everyone who completed the community survey. The board are meeting tonight and we will use this data to inform our strategic planning for the future. We shall update you after the meeting.

On Monday we had a very productive staff only day completing learner assessments and data, and planning for 2024 using some of the new ministry resources with Te Mātaiaho, the updated draft curriculum. We also had a good tidy up of our resource area which is being converted into additional staff toilets. This is very welcomed as the 60+ of us currently share two!

Last week we hosted our first Diwali themed Cultural Celebration. It was a great opportunity to meet with families, share delicious kai together and enjoy watching some of our children perform dances. We enjoyed some great Indian and Irish dancing. Thank you to Miss Frances Dench and Miss Bec Lambert for organising this and to all of our staff who participated. Next year we hope we will have even more performances from Aotearoa and around the world.

Yesterday we had our Y8 children completing some of their William Pike challenges climbing in Adrenaline Forest and biking at McLeans Island. William Pike is open to all Y8 learners and the board reduce the cost significantly for children to participate. The children, whānau and staff will be completing a tramp at the weekend.

If you have been inside the school grounds recently you will see that Mrs Leona Whittington and her visual art club have replaced the kōwhai mural with an updated beautiful wooden version. The previous tiled mural was completed seven years ago now and some of the tiles were broken so whilst we were sad to see it go it is great to have a new one complete with our school values displayed. Thank you to the Board who have purchased a new container for the visual art club's supplies and storage.

As always the end of the year approaches faster than ever. We all notice ourselves and our learners becoming more tired so it is a really good time to review bedtimes and reduce the amount of screen-time we have. Please also check calendars for the events coming up so you do not miss dates for the kids market, the art auction, positive behaviour free Christmas dress up day, final assemblies and prize-givings!

Ngā mihi

Sylvia