Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of Whītau School. Kia ora koutou katoa! Talofa lava! Mālō e lelei! Greetings everyone.

It has been great to be back at school for the last two weeks and enjoying being with students, staff and parents. Thanks so much to those of you who have especially popped in to see me and wish me well. I am really looking forward to my new life after my knee replacement and being able to walk out and about around the school pain free. I have my operation next Monday and Miss Amy Collins will be Acting Principal until I return to school on Tuesday 24 October, after Labour Weekend. She will keep me fully informed during these six weeks. We are currently in the process of appointing an Acting Associate Principal from our teaching staff, to assume some of Mr Turner's responsibilities for Term 4. 

'Learning to take us places...'

There has been so much wonderful extracurricular activity that Whītau School has been involved in lately which celebrates our vision of 'Learning to take us places....'

• Yesterday's visit to the University of Canterbury for a day of learning fun for 25 students with Mr Turner and parent helpers
• My visit to the University of Canterbury last Friday to speak at Principal's Day to the graduating students who are looking for beginning teaching positions in 2024
• Our Ukulele and Recorder participated in the 'Strike, Strum, Blow' rehearsal yesterday and the concert last night. 
• Tamai Pasifika Awards evening - Hearty congratulations to our awardees Naomi Pitama and Ataahua Masiu for being role model Year 6 Pasifika students
• Tamai Pasifika Combined Schools Cultural group completed a road show around all the Tamai schools on Tuesday.
• Our Gifted and Talented students preparing their entries for the Grow Waitaha Digi Awards.

Term 4 Events

The Term 4 diary has been updated so please check out the dates and events. 

Please take special note of the Tamai Kahui Ako Staff Only Day on Thursday 16 November, before our Canterbury Anniversary Weekend. All Tamai schools will be closed for a Ministry of Education Curriculum Development Day for staff.

Enjoying our School Grounds During the Weekend - Please help us!

The School Board and staff love families coming to enjoy our wonderful school grounds and playground equipment during the weekends. It helps look after our school property and keep us all safe. However, we do encourage you to ensure your children have an adult supervising them at all times.

I am very sad and disappointed to have received two complaints on Monday, one from a parent and one from a concerned community member, about unacceptable behaviour in the playground both on Saturday and Sunday of last weekend. Two Whītau students who are new to our school and one other student were damaging our brand new Basketball hoops by climbing on top of them, threatening children, wielding weapons, swearing and being generally abusive. These students and their parents have been spoken with, the Police have been informed and the students are receiving in-school consequences. 

Please contact the Police directly in the weekend and make a 105 report should you observe anything happening in our school grounds out of hours that is not acceptable.

Abuse of Staff or Students in the School Grounds or Buildings

Following a recent unacceptable incident where a member of the Senior Leadership Team was sworn at in front of students, I must bring to your attention that it is never acceptable for parents to come onsite and try to deal with students directly about issues or concerns they may have with them. Parents certainly would not tolerate that happening to their child and it is our role to keep all children safe at school and to resolve problems in a restorative process with the students.

Section 241 of the Education and Training Act 2020 can be used by Principals if required. 

241Offence relating to insulting, abusing, or intimidating teachers or staff members of registered schools

(1)

A person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 if the person intentionally insults, abuses, or intimidates a teacher or staff member of a registered school

(a)

within the presence or hearing of any student of the school; and

(b)

while on school premises, or in any other place where students of the school are assembled for school purposes.

Ngā mihi nui

Sandra Dentice

Principal | Tumuaki

sandra@whitau.school.nz