Nau mai, hōki mai ki te kura takawaenga o Whangārei: Term 4, Wiki 8.

Kia ora Parents and Caregivers,

This is our last newsletter for 2020.  What a busy end of term we have had and a crazy and sometimes challenging year full of uncertainty.  On the whole, our students have fared remarkably well with all credit to you as whānau and to our amazing staff. 

HAERE RĀ YEAR 8s
  We say goodbye to our wonderful group of senior students, our Year 8 students. It has been a pleasure to witness the development of our Year 8 students this year. Not only have some of them grown really tall, but the majority of this group of students have also taken the opportunity to get involved in a range of different learning opportunities that are provided at Whangarei Intermediate School. We have had students representing the school in extracurricular activities such as a student councilor, wise ambassadors, librarian, sound technician, a band member, road patroller, canteen assistant, office assistant, kapahaka performer, a performer in the WIS Extravaganza, debater, a sports rep: rugby, basketball, hockey, netball, cross country, athletics, swimming to name a few. I wish all the Year 8 students all the success as they carry on their journey in the world of education.  Tama tu. Tama ora. Tama noho. Tama mate.  Life is what you make of it. Take all the opportunities that come your way.

HAERE RĀ  to the following awesome staff members:

Colleen Fannin for her many years that she gave to WIS and to education.  Colleen has strengths in all areas across the curriculum landscape and always expected the best of her students.  We wish Colleen the best in her retirement. However, we also know that Colleen will be back as one of our reliable relievers in the years to come.  

Tom Peyton has won a position at WBHS in the PE department.  Tom has been a huge contributing staff member: Explo, Enviroschools, Sports Academy, Epro8, Rowing for Charity, Team Leader, and teacher.  We wish Tom the best in his next stage in his education career.

Tom Clarkson is going to be the new principal at Morningside School.  We will continue to work closely with Tom and his team, and wish him all the success in the world.  We are fortunate to have Debbie Hedley as our new Learning Support Coordinator and look forward to her contribution in this space.

Janine Tito has won a position at WGHS.  We thank Janine for her contribution during the 2 years she was with us as the Art teacher and wish her the best in her new role at WGHS. 

Leti McDiarmid has been reinstated as a Flight Attendant so will be leaving WIS at the end of this year.  We thank Leti for all her mahi over the year and wish her the best being back in the air.  

Hapurona Clark is off to train to be a teacher.  We thank Hapurona for his contribution in his role as a Kai-Āwhina and wish him all the success in his training.  We also thank Keala Kjeldsen and Zane Heta as Kai-Āwhina in Te Whānau o Waimirirangi.  Our students have been very lucky to have the support from these very committed and talented individuals. 

THANKING YOU  We would like to extend our thanks to you as parents and caregivers for a wonderful year. As teachers, we really value our parents' and caregivers' support. Without the extra help on camps, events, sports teams, and trips, we couldn’t achieve half the activities we plan for our students. This is particularly noticeable during the netball session, as we have so many teams entered. 

Many thanks to our very committed and conscientious Board of Trustees and to our PTA members who have been a champion group this year.  Every year we are always looking to grow our membership of the PTA. This is a great team to belong to so do look out for notification at the start of next year. It is your chance to be more involved with the school. Anything for the tamariki!!
 

Finally, a huge thank you to our staff who have worked tirelessly all year: the wonderful admin staff in the office, the classroom teachers, specialists teachers, the support staff, our grounds personnel, and student support services. The team at WIS is a dedicated group of staff members who are all working for our tamariki. I know that our Board of Trustees is very grateful for the efforts of the staff next year. I hope you all have a wonderful. restful and safe break during the holiday season. 

Meri Kirihimete me nga mihi o te tau hou.  Merry Christmas and have a happy new year.

Mā te wā, na Hayley Read. Principal/Tumuaki of the best school in Whangarei with the coolest students who exude our school vision/tirohanga...Mā te Whānaungatanga, Ka Whai Mātauranga te Akonga, Ka Tū Rangatira.

                                 'Success Crowns Effort’