Dear whānau,

How great it is to be back, the school is humming with activity and enthusiasm for learning. What a week to come back in for - we have Rippa, National Young Leaders Day and Sportsactivator, not to mention what we call our business as usual - full on learning.

The whānau groups continue two days a week and the staff and children all appreciate doing something different with someone new. I don't know about the conversations that are happening at your place but I've heard about making butter and tectonic plates, and that was after only whānau session! The rotations include science, food technology, digital technology, visual art, dance/drama, local history and the history of our school. I love it when learning is diverse, and when we parents can add value to the learning by sharing what we know at home too.

As you all probably know we have two teacher only days coming up so no school for Monday (Queen's birthday), and then two days where all the staff are in school (Tuesday and Wednesday) without children. These days have been planned for about a year, and we have two facilitators coming to work with us from the North Island. These days are a continuation of our work where many families and community members contributed to the review of the school in relation to learning, relationships and faith.

Finally, swimming starts for the younger children next week, and continues into the following week for the older children. A letter was sent home last week, but more details below.

God bless you all, Annie

In her office of course, and feeling blessed to be back here. What an amazing trip I have had, and who would have thought I needed it? It was absolutely wonderful to see my family and to be able to visit them in so many different places. Alice and I visited York, Paphos, Rome, Assisi, Florence and London to name a few. Sadly the Queen was too tired to be at the Garden Party but Princess Kate (Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge) was there, along with Prince Edward, his wife Sophie the Countess of Wessex and the Queen's cousin Princess Alexandra. It was amazing, and the cakes were yummy.

Visiting the Vatican and the touring the ruins of ancient Rome was amazing, along with the Cathedrals and Churches around Florence, walking in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi and St Claire was outstanding. I am very grateful to everyone who encouraged me to get away, approved leave and of course led the school in my absence. I know that Mal and the whole team are excellent at living our school vision, and whilst it was hard for me to accept that I needed a bit of space, this is from our vision: We create opportunities to show leadership in a variety of ways, giving everyone the chance to lead. Thanks all of you - parents and whānau included, for holding tight to our vision and the school.