Firstly, can I just say that it has been a huge privilege to have the opportunity to lead our school this term so far. I am very proud to be part of this community. It is a community that is richly diverse, friendly and welcoming. Thank you for all your support towards our staff.

Secondly, as a school, we try and create an environment in line with our PB4L purpose statement: 

To develop a caring community with HEART, where everyone embraces our values so that we learn together and soar to new heights.

Each day there is much evidence to me that this is a caring community. For example, older students help and support younger students, parents connect with other parents and being a support network for each other, and teachers go the extra mile to ensure that they do their best for the kids in front of them. 

I like this definition of Kotahitanga (unity and bonding) - a concept that advocates becoming one out of many, where a sense of unity and inclusiveness is created within the classroom and school by recognising

everyone’s mana. 

Let's keep creating a school community culture of kotahitanga - unity and keep putting our tamariki at the center.

Important things for you to be aware of:

Teacher Strike - You may have heard through the media that there are talks of a proposed teacher strike. The proposed date at this stage is next week on Thursday (16th March). This has not been confirmed yet and I will communicate with you as soon as possible. I wanted to allude you this because school will be closed for instruction if the strike goes ahead.

PTA - in the Board newsletter that was shared on Monday, it mentioned about the PTA and the desire to see this up and thriving. On Tuesday the 21st March at 2.30 there will be an opportunity for you to come along and hear more about this. However, if you are not available and would like to know more about this, you are welcome to email myself - gpotgieter@wigramprimary.school.nz or Helena Dinnissen - hdinnissen.bot@wigramprimary.school.nz to express your interest.

Te Ahi Ora - Fire Show - Te Ahi Ora is an organisation that's been working in schools to deliver free performing arts lessons to schools, followed by free evening Fire Performances and lessons for your community. They will be working with our kids during the day on the 27th and 28th March. This will be followed by an evening programme opened to the community from 4.30-6.30 pm. Please check out the "Fire Show" article for more information.

Communication - we would like to invite you to feedback session to discuss effective communication on Monday 3rd April at 2.30. We want especially want to hear your thoughts and opinions on what effective communication looks like for different cultures. Please come and share your ideas with us.

Please let us know if you have any questions or wish further clarification.

Ngā mihi nui

Gerhard Potgieter

Acting Principal