Wow, what a busy few weeks! I had the pleasure of attending the Waikato Catholic Principals Meeting in Tauranga last week. Our schools are very busy places and it was great to share ideas and initiatives.

The past two weeks have seen a huge climb in sickness rates. The flu is a nasty one. I have now had covid and the flu and I don't know which is worse! We have had a spike in covid cases in our school community and currently have eight families isolating due to being household contacts. Please continue to test if you are showing symptoms. We have free RAT tests available at school and can send home asap to you if you need. Sending our love to everyone that is unwell at the moment. May you make a speedy recovery and get well soon.

This is my final Principal's message for the newsletter. I begin my new position as Principal of Kaimai School starting Term 3. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, your kindness, your friendship and your trust. I have absolutely loved being the Principal of St Joseph's, and it is one of my proudest moments. The past seven years has just flown by and I am incredibly proud of the growth in our school. A special thank you to the staff, the community, the Board, the PFC and of course our amazing tamariki! Hurihia to aroaro ki te ra tukuna to atarangi kia taka ki muri i a koe, turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.

God bless each and everyone one of you. Next time you are going over the Kaimais, please stop in for a cuppa and come and say hello. I am going to miss St Joes so much and would love to see you.

Andrea Colebourn

Principal

Morrinsville Rotary representative Chris May and Paper Plus sponsors Debra Rodgerson and Tracey Waite visited us this week to present Term 2's awards for significant progress in reading.

Congratulations to Tegan Smith, Caleb McMillan and Lilith Joule (absent) for their outstanding efforts.

Thank you to Rotary and Paper Plus for this initiative which is gratefully received.