Welcome to Term 2 and a special welcome to our new families and staff members Mrs Louise Thomson and Mrs Joanne Norman-Larter. We also have a new student teacher in Te Ara Tupu - Mrs Emma Bennett.

This term we have launched our new Play, Eat, Learn concept and you can see some of our learners in Te Ara Whanake enjoying eating inside together in the above photo. Initial reports from this change to our timetable are positive and learners are focused on eating after a good play outside; and then show a readiness to learn. We are also encouraging our learners to drink water during the day. 

This term we  have also been very grateful for our newly opened play area - thanks to the efforts of Kylie and Kelly from GROW and the parents who gave up their time on ANZAC day to build this play area. It was very rewarding although thankfully I managed to get away without doing any digging in our rock soil as I was given the task of cleaning the mud-kitchens:) which have been re-located to this new play area. We are now eagerly awaiting Mrs Amanda Clarkson's new jungle gyms in our extended adventure playground.

As we look ahead to the rest of 2019 we wanted to provide you with an approximate amount of the costs for school events for the remainder of the year. We believe it is really important to provide a range of different activities which support our teaching and learning programmes, and this includes trips outside of the school. 

The costs for Juniors [Y1-4] is approximately $70. This includes the following school related events:

Term 2 

• Life Education [Health Curriculum supporting resilience and mental health] ($5.50)

Term 3

• NZ Book Awards and Treasure Hunt [English and Digital Technologies] ($5)

• Interactive Drumming Session [The Arts] ($5)

Term 3/4 

• Swimming Lessons at the Aquatic Centre ($45) [Health and PE]

Term 4

• Postponed visit to Turanga Library and Margaret Mahy Park [which you may have paid for] [Vision and Values, English] ($10)

Please feel free to make a full contribution into the school bank account instead of separate payments and list your child's name as reference. The seniors - Y5-8 - is exactly the same plus the cost of Winter Sport so approximately $100.00 for the remainder of the year (excluding camp).

As stated we really want to provide additional learning opportunities for our children but this will become harder to do based on current statistics - 30% of families have not yet paid for the Year 5/6 Camp which takes place next week, 10% of families have not yet paid for the Year 7/8 Camp (held in March) which means we are over $1000 in debt just from this activity, 60% of families whose children are participating in the Rugby Fun Day tomorrow have not yet paid. 

I do not like to write about money, and I love the fact that our Board of Trustees have never asked families for a donation, so please please make a full contribution to our school events. Thank you!

Finally, congratulations to our dear Miss Laura Finn and her partner Hamish on the birth of their darling daughter, Sadie. We look forward to meeting Sadie soon.

Ngā mihi nui

Sylvia