This year has absolutely raced by and I cannot believe this is the final newsletter for 2019! Next year we will move to fortnightly newsletter publications, in odd weeks, to coincide with our whole school assemblies.

Congratulations to our learners who have filled Wish Jar #1 and will enjoy a movie at school before the end of the year. Thanks to all of the children who follow our kōwhai rules.

Tomorrow final information will be uploaded into Linc-ed to complete your child's digital report for the year. This term, this has included:

• goals in reading, writing and maths.
• showing progress made against the NZ Curriculum levels in reading writing and maths.
• information for Y7/8 learners in technology. 
• a sample in writing and science AND

a vision and values sample which, as a parent myself, is information I am always very interested in. This area relates to the key competencies inherent in the NZ Curriculum - does my child participate and contribute well? do they relate well to others? do they manage themselves appropriately? do they think critically and make good choices? do they use and access all of the modes of communication that they have wisely? Thank you for taking the time to discuss your child's learning and progress with them. 

Tomorrow will also be our final assembly and prize-giving for 2019. At these assemblies special GROW awards will be presented at each year level for two to three learners [depends on the number of learners at each year level] who have consistently demonstrated either the G, R, O or W of our vision. We also present a junior and senior Mana Māori Values Award, a Community Award and a Leadership Cup from the Selwyn District Council. Mrs Maureen Allan from Waitaha School will also present a special values cup to a learner in Te Pa Harakeke. The Junior Prize-giving is at 9.30am and the Senior Prize-giving is at 1.30pm. At the conclusion of the Senior Prize-giving, our school will form an archway to farewell our Year 8 leavers who head off to College. 

At 11.00am we will have a special morning tea in the office to thank everyone who has supported our school this year. I would like to thank everyone in our community who has actively supported our school as we complete our fourth year of being open. Big thank you to all of our teachers and support staff who strive to be the sunshine everyday with our learners. Special mention to my Deputy Principals, Ben Galletly and Amanda Clarkson, and my Team Leaders Megan Murray, Emma Woods, Janelle Osborne and Pete Northmore who have been critical to the success of our school and are a pleasure to work with. I would like to acknowledge the leadership Trish Hann has provided with inducting two new office staff, Mary and Paula, successfully into what is a busy and complex environment so well. Congratulations to Kylie Drake and Kelly Ewen and all of the active members of GROW who have achieved a huge amount this year. Finally, I am also very grateful for the support provided to me personally and to the school from our forward thinking Board of Trustees Simon McDermott, Rob Hunt, Tegan Dawson McMurdo, Sam Forward, Steph Hautler and Megan Murray. 

Farewell to Mrs Louise Thompson who has finished her contract with us in TKK, and to Miss Caity Andrews who will work for Busy Bumbles in Rangiora - thank you both. Miss Samantha Nichols is taking leave from her full-time teaching role to travel but fortunately she will still come in and do some part-time work when she is available.

Farewell also to our thirty four Year 8 leavers who I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with at Jellie Park today. Tonight we are off to the Quartz Bar for their Year 8 Leavers Dinner. Thanks to Jacinta and Josh Cooney who do an amazing deal for us to keep the costs low but the entertainment high!

I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas and holiday break. My daughter has just completed her first year at the University of Canterbury and my son has completed Year 9 at Rolleston College so I am really looking forward to hanging out with them [mmm if they want to] and spending time pottering at home and helping my husband build a deck.

Ngā mihi nui

Sylvia