A jammed packed newsletter this week: we say farewell to staff who are leaving and a warm welcome  to new teachers joining our team.

Farewell to...

After over 20 years of service to Westmere School, Toru Tara has resigned from her full time teaching position . Though we will still see her around the school in a part time capacity in 2017, we are taking this opportunity to formally acknowledge her years of service to our community. 

We warmly invite any families who would like to join us,  to a Whakatau  at 5.30pm followed by kai, on Thursday 8th December to be held in and around the old school hall. Please RSVP with name and numbers who are attending to Deborah Peace, dpeace@westmere.school.nz  by Monday 5 December.

After 8 years working at Westmere School Nicola Lamont from LS5 will be leaving to follow new pursuits. We thank Nicola for her dedication and commitment, the expertise she brings and her passion for ensuring all children achieve to the best of their ability. We look forward to seeing Nicola around school as a regular reliever in 2017. 

Thank you to  Jessica  Langley who has worked as a teacher aide in the Nohinohi class. We wish you all the very best in your goal to become a secondary school teacher! Thank you to Gretchen Rhodes who has worked as a teacher aide this term. We have appreciated your skills and care of our children.  We also farewell Gretchen Deans-Davis who has worked on a part time basis for a number of years, supporting our ORs funded children, their families and teachers.  All the very best Gretchen in your new adventures. 

Thanks to .....

Brad Walker who has served on our Board of Trustees as a co-opted member for Ngā Uri O Ngā Iwi. Brad has brought a flair for creative, and innovative thinking to our strategic planning and Board work.  We thank him for his commitment to our school in this  governance role. We welcome Carlos Kearns who has been nominated by the whānau   to fulfill this co-opted role in 2017.  We look forward to working with him in this capacity.

Congratulations to ...

Ned Phillips who has been successful in securing a study award for a year's leave of absence in 2017 to allow her to finish her Masters. We will still see Ned in school as she undertakes some of  her research and supports our professional learning programme as one of our literacy leaders. 

Many thanks to...

Our regular part time staff, Tracey Taylor,  Pat Graham, Bindy Murphy, Catherine Trounce, Clare Thompson and Melissa Rowcroft who are always on hand to support as regular relievers or part time teachers  in our school. You are a vital part of our team and we thank you for your flexibility and ongoing commitment to our school. 

A warm Westmere welcome to...

Frank Gasson who returns to school after being on study leave this year to complete her Masters. Congratulations Frank on your outstanding results and highly informative research into how we can better support and teach  for the diverse learning needs of our children in innovative learning environments (ILEs). 

A warm welcome back to Rose Watson who has been on maternity leave this year. Rose will work in a job share role with Jane Keely on her return.

We welcome Michael Leijh to our staff in 2017. Michael has come to education after working in the media industry and as a furniture maker. He brings a passion and interest in promoting sport, and raising the achievement of our children. He is an energetic, enthusiastic teacher and we look forward to working with him next year.

A paper newsletter and map of the school will be sent out with all children on Monday 12 December,  Week 10. This will give you details of your child's placement next year.  The newsletter will include instructions on how to book a 15 minute family interview to Meet the Teacher on the first day of school, which is 7th  February 2017. If you have more than one child please remember to book an interview with all their teachers. 

Meet the Teacher is an important time when you and your child's liaison teacher can meet. We value this opportunity to  learn a little more about your expectations for your child's learning. We can share some of our expectations too. We know that the better we understand and know your child, the more effective the learning environment will be for your child. 

All Souls’ Night Fundraiser: A big thank you to all the Westmere whānau who supported this incredible evening. $16, 000 was raised for the Ngā Uri O Ngā Iwi students’ stay at Waitetoko Marae in Term 1 2017. $1,000 from this fundraising event has been donated by the whānau to cover the costs of the marae visit planned next year for Studios 4, 5 & 8.