We have so many talented children at our school. It was great to hear news of all of our athletes representing our school and zone so positively yesterday at the Canterbury Athletic Champs.

Congrats to all of our children and to the following placegetters:

1st Girls Year 7 Relay - Sophie, Jess, Zoe, Ava [Y5 champs in 2020 as well]

1st 100m - Zoe 

2nd 100m - Conner 

2nd Discus - Elias and Emma 

3rd 60m - Josephine 

We also had a group of amazing Y5-8 learners representing us at the First Lego League Competition competing against Y7/8 learners in coding and robotics. And, all of our Year 1 and 2 Te Ara Tupu team have been on their fabulous beach trips, working on our value of Tiakitanga and learning how to look after our beautiful beaches and sea creatures. Thanks to all of the staff and parent/whānau helpers who make these trips possible!

Yesterday we welcomed two new teachers for 2023 for an induction day - welcome to Miss Chrystelle Tinnion-Pewhairangi and Mr Ben Charteris. We will also welcome back Miss Janelle Osborne and Miss Estelle Austin from parental leave. Sadly we are farewelling some much loved staff, as well:

* Miss Madeleine Walker is moving to the sunny Gold Coast and has accepted a job at Brisbane Prep Boys' College.

* Miss Nicole Davidson is moving to Timaru with her partner who has a new job there.

* Mrs Jo Norman-Larter is moving into the Catholic Education system and has accepted a job at Sacred Heart.

Miss Leigh Thrupp will be reducing her hours at the start of the year until she goes on parental leave:) Miss Dionne Wallace will return from parental leave to continue with Leigh's part time roles when she finishes.

Next year's teams will be:

Te Kete Kākano/The Seed Basket Y1 - Miss Melissa Grant, Mrs Narrelle Robson, Miss Breanna Hale

Te Ara Tupu/The Emerging Basket Y1/2 - Miss Estelle Austin, Mr Ben Langford, Miss Holly Miller, Mr Mike Stewart, Mrs Karen Townsend, Miss Rachel Pickering

Te Ara Whanake/The Growing Path Y3/4 - Miss Janelle Osborne, Miss Melanie Herron, Mrs Kathy Macdonald, Mrs Leona Whittington, Mrs Emma Bennett, Mr George Harnett, Mrs Sam Nichols, Miss Chrystelle Tinnion-Pewhairangi, Miss Jess Bensdorp

Te Ara Whānui/The Broadening Path Y5/6 - Miss Laura Finn, Miss Kendra Ward, Mr Ben Charteris, Mr Otis Sole, Miss Frances Dench, Miss Claudia Copeland, Mr James Hunt, Miss Sara Reedy

Te Ara Māia/The Strong Path Y7/8 - Mr Pete Northmore, Miss Sarah Kerkhof, Ms Elisabeth Baker, Mrs Caitlyn Tinnelly, Mr Phil Wilkins, Mr Kyle Seckold

We are currently planning for some physical studio changes for next year to accommodate different sized learners and cohorts. Team names and levels remain the same - we just switch out the signage to the appropriate studio.

For the start of next year Mrs Ollivia Nancekivell and Mrs Tess Rodgers remain on leave. We will also have a number of part time teachers and our amazing teaching assistants continuing to support our learners.

Last week we announced the exciting news that Mr Ben Galletly has accepted the Principal's role at Papanui Primary from Term 2. We are so excited for Ben's well deserved promotion and although he will be much missed we are very proud of him. Ben has been an amazing foundation Deputy Principal.

Finally, on Monday night it was lovely to celebrate and acknowledge the amazing mahi of our GROW team who are all parents, including our DP Amanda Clarkson who undertakes her role of treasurer in a parent capacity. Thanks Sara, Kate, Amanda, Carmen, Chelsea, Jo B, Rachael, Peter, Liz, Rob [PM of the School Board], Lee-Ann [School Board], Jacqui and Em. I was amazed at how much money has been raised by GROW in a year hugely impacted by covid. They have raised just under $50,000 and all proceeds go back to our children. It was great to see some new faces too and I look forward to everyone coming along in the new year! 

Ngā mihi

Sylvia