Kia ora

Welcome to Maci who has begun school in Whakarewa and to Amelia who has joined Matawara.

Congratulations to Ashley Butler, Team Leader of Year 5 and 6. Ashley has a new role as Deputy Principal of West Eyreton School, starting in term 3. I wish Ashley every success for her new challenge. We are actively recruiting for a new Team Leader to join the team

Our whole school learning and action day on Tuesday at Silverstream Reserve was highly successful. We enjoyed learning in buddy groupings and it was great to see younger and older students learning together. In total, our students helped the volunteers plant 400 new native shrubs and trees.

Trips like this support our commitment to the Enviroschools programme and provide our students with rich, hands-on learning opportunities. Lessons were held on surveying the fauna in the stream, building bird’s nests, finding insect life, creating art from nature and a canopy walk. We look forward to further involvement with Silverstream Reserve and acknowledge the support of the Silverstream Reserve Volunteers, Waimakariri District Council, Enviroschools and Ecan.

School logo

On Wednesday, each child received a badge with our new logo. We sent home an information booklet about the logo and we are asking families to hold a discussion about its significance and provide feedback. All families who respond will be in the draw for a $50 CBK voucher.

Maths No Problem Parent Workshop

Parents are welcome to attend a workshop next Wednesday 1 June at 7pm in the MPF to learn more about the Maths No Problem programme we have introduced this year. Alex Laurie, our facilitator will lead the workshop. Alex has worked with our staff to support the implementation of the programme and she is an expert in it, having taught it in the U.K. We would like to offer childcare to make the workshop more accessible to parents in the evening. This will be held in the Library.

Teacher only day

Friday 3 June is a teacher only day for all Kaiapoi schools. Teachers from across the area will gather together at Kaiapoi High School for a day of learning. We hope that tagging this day to Queen’s Birthday weekend will provide an opportunity for families to have an extra-long weekend together.

Whakarewa Early Learning Seminar

For the parents of children who have started their school journey this year, I urge you to attend the Early Learning Seminar in Whakarewa on Tuesday 7 June at 7 pm. This will give you a good insight into how school has changed over the years and the wonderful programme that our junior team runs.

Learning Conferences

Our Learning Conferences are held in week 10 of this term from Monday 4 - Thursday 7 July.

We look forward to the opportunity to meet with each student and their whānau to celebrate the progress made and plan for the next half of the year. Bookings will open on 15 June.

Please note the following dates and times for Learning Conferences:

Monday 4 July: 12.30 - 6.20pm

Tuesday 5 July: 3.10 - 7.30pm

Wednesday 6 July: 12.30 - 6.20pm

Thursday 7 July 3:10 - 7.30pm

School will finish early at 12.30pm on Monday 4 and Wednesday 6 July. The bus will run at 12.30pm on these days. Skids will be available for families on these afternoons.

Juliana Rae

Principal