It is lovely to drive and walk past the entrance to the school and see the beautiful new culturally inclusive mural that Mrs Whittington and her learners in the Visual Art Club have made.

The mural represents the different cultures in our school and showcases their different flags. Our four largest cultural groups are NZ Euro, NZ Māori, South African and Indian and then we have representation from the Pacific Islands, China, South Korea, South America, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Philippines, England, Sri Lanka, Holland,  Zimbabwe, Czech Republic and many more!

This week has provided more amazing opportunities for our learners. Mr Fraser Malins and Dena Greene took a Ki O Rahi team and a football team to the Koru Games. The children have loved their time there and represented the school well. As I write this article, the Ki O Rahi team have made the semi finals which is amazing. GO WRPS!

We have also had optional senior pottery classes available for our learners, thanks to Miss Katie Talbot for organising these. 

Today saw the launch of the Year 7/8 Leadership Week with members of the Defence Force and the NZ Police spending the day here providing leadership challenges and games with our learners. Next week they will listen to and interact with guest speakers including, Mayor Sam Broughton, and Regan De Burgh of Ronald McDonald House. Thanks to Mrs Murray, Miss Bec Lambert and our senior teachers for organising this.

We have also seen the return of Miss Laura Finn who popped in for a visit with her new group of Year 1 learners, due to start next term in Te PuaWaitanga. Yes, we will be sharing this space with the Busy Bumbles before and after school care programme.

As we head into the final week of term, we appreciate that we are all feeling a bit tired and looking forward to some more spring weather. Sometimes our children go home and tell you wee issues they may be having with their friends at school. If this happens please approach the teacher instead of your child's friends.

Finally, thanks to Jo Burnett, Alan Whitmore, Steph Hautler, Nina Greene, Kylie Drake and the GROW team for organising the fantastic camp cheese roll fundraiser at the weekend. Thanks to everyone in our community who helped to sell orders and prepare rolls as well. I love how our community seek to provide the best opportunities for all of our children.

Ngā mihi nui

Sylvia