This week we announced our group of student leaders. Our school captains will introduce themselves in next week's newsletter.

To returning families, new families, and teaching staff, welcome back to 2022 from the Ngaere School Board. Along with a special welcome to our two new teachers, Miss Hulme (Lisa) and Mr Mercer (Jonny), we look forward to another great year.

We also welcomed Ms Kara Prankerd (co-opted parent rep) and Miss Emma Dravitzki (staff rep) to the board.

Thank you for your patience and resilience with the current Covid-19 framework restrictions. This seems to be ever changing. The school's Covid Response Plan is available to view on our website. Parents will be updated as things change. Please note we will endeavour to keep the school open and operating in a safe manner regardless of outbreaks of Omicron in our community. To enable us to do this, and to safeguard our staff please respect the rules in place with regards to not going on site unnecessarily and wearing a mask and or social distancing when picking up and dropping off children.

If you haven’t had a look at the new website, please do. (www.ngaere.school.nz ) While it is still being added to, I know you will agree the site looks fresh and appealing.

Policies up for review this Term are Health and Safety Management, and Emergency, Disaster, and Crisis Management. A reminder these can be viewed on SchoolDocs, and any feedback posted there. (Schooldocs / password respect)

As a board this year we have met to discuss Ngaere Schools strategic goals and the new National Education and Learning Priorities (NELPs) which we will unpack further as the year progresses.

We look forward to sharing the successes of our school with our community.

Stacey Clough – Presiding Member

Classes will be getting themselves into more of a routine with the use of Seesaw to share learning. Please ask if you are unable to access Seesaw.

Although there are currently no cases of Omicron in our immediate community we have prepared for a transition to hybrid / online schooling and have made contingencies to manage staff illness.

It is imperative that we have up to date contact information for you.

This is a most uncertain time for everyone and we thank you in anticipation of your support for our school, the staff, but most of all your children who we are all here to support.

Please note Friday 18th & Sunday 20th (11am -3pm) vaccine passes are required for those aged 12+.

Friday 25th is a no vaccine pass required event. However, bookings must be made so we can restrict numbers at any one time.

There are a number of outstanding uniform accounts. You will have received an invoice as well as reminder messages. These need to be paid asap.

School swim caps for sale $15 from the school office.

Next meeting - AGM followed by supper - Wednesday 15th March 7pm

• Thursday 17 Feb - 'Meet the Teacher' interviews (booking via SkoolLoop)
• Friday 18 Feb - Maize Maze opens
• Monday 28 Feb - Swim Safe instructor Cecily (all classes)
• Friday 11 March - Teacher Only Day (Kahui Ako)
• Monday 14 March - Taranaki Anniversary Day
• Monday 24 - Thursday 27 March - Life Education Mobile Classroom at school
• Thursday 14 April - Last day term 1
• Friday 15 April - Good Friday