Kia ora koutou 

And Lent begins - a wonderful 6 weeks to pause and ask ourselves as a family what we can ‘fast’ from in order to become better people. Many choose to fast from swearing, not sharing our toys etc and it would be a great time to consider what you could ‘fast’ for the whole family’s well being. Maybe it might be around tiredness, stress or lack of focused family time. Have a great discussion. 

Whānau Information Evening Tuesday 18th February

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our information evening. Your children loved sharing their knowledge with you and seeing you in action as a learner. We trust you now have a greater understanding of the work we have been doing with the Digital Technologies Curriculum as well as the varied communication platforms that we are using to share the tamariki’s learning with you.   If you were not able to attend the evening, we developed the google slide (with more information to cover what you missed in the discussion) and will be sending it to you via Linc Ed. 

Join me for the Principal Chats

As always there is not enough time to cover everything and while the Whånau Conferences and Information Evening provided insight for all of us about our children, we want to create the opportunity to chat in a smaller setting. To that end, I would now like to invite you to the Principal Chat sessions. This will be a time for you to share your ideas and questions with me so would you please email the office and let us know what time you are able to come along. 

Monday, March 9, 3.15 - 4 pm

Wednesday, March 11, 5 - 5.45 pm

Thursday, March 12, 10.15 - 11 am

Education Outside the Classroom

It has been an exciting week of learning through the various planned activities for EOTC. Te Aroha loved their day at the Zoo focusing on caring for the animals with a particular focus on Conservation. This, of course, links to the Learn About Faith focus of learning about Creation, how Te Atua created us as well as all the other living things and how we should care for all Creation. They have also been busy with their scavenger hunts around the school and walk along the Eastern Walkway.  He Atawhai has had a varied programme of Art linked to mapping skills, a visit into the City Gallery and waterfront, spending time in Te Aroha making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and of course our Beach Safety programme. Blessed with beautiful weather, it was wonderful to see so many students control their fear and jump from the wharf yesterday. So we hope the children have some wonderful conversations with you each night even though they are very tired! Thanks to all the parents who have supported the learning by coming along on the various trips and activities. 

Kapa Haka 

On Monday we began Kapa Haka with our wonderful tutors and the tamariki loved revisiting songs that they learnt last year. We will be having the tutors - Tepora and Shareen each fortnight and look forward to seeing the children build their repertoire of songs.

Readathon

Next week we will be sending out the information for our Readathon and we look forward to you engaging in this as a family. While we are working to develop the children's 'reading mileage' we are also working to develop their love of reading and the fact that reading is much more than stories and novels. For that reason, we are developing various options for the learners so they see the vast scope of reading in our world. We also look forward to raising money for the school as well so we invite the children to begin considering who they will ask to sponsor them. 

Principal’s Award

Well done to James, Zoe, Samuel, Paris and Sophia for receiving the first batch of principal awards for 2020. They have excelled at being Respectful! Sadly Paris was absent on the day. 

Have a wonderful weekend one and all.

Ngā mihi

Denise Johnson