A huge thank you to all those families who supported our Active Travel initiative this year. You made a fantastic reduction in the traffic congestion outside our school making it a safer place for your tamariki.

We realise families have a lot on their minds and Movin’March may not be one of them! This newsletter is for those that want to know about Movin’March competitions and how you can still take part.

WOW Passport competition:

Our school has sent in all our WOW passports that were posted in the box in the foyer. If you have any at home you wish to send in yourself, please post these to:

Kirsty Barr

Movin’March

Greater Wellington Regional Council

P O Box 11646 Manners St

Wellington 6142.

Passports will need to be received by GWRC by Friday 17^th April. The 12 prize winners for the $400 My Ride vouchers will be drawn and schools notified in May of any winners.

Parent photo competition: We know being active lifts spirits and keeps us well, so feel free to continue posting your photos on how you’re movin’ at home on our Facebook page. Photos will need to be posted publicly on Facebook or Instagram with #movinmarch Daily prize/scooter winners will be notified by email as normal. Competition ends 31 March.

Share your Story: You can continue to post photos remotely and share your experiences of Movin’ around home and getting outdoors as a family. Prize winners will be notified by email. Competition ends Fri 3^rd April.

Note: Movin’March staff will be contacting the prize winning destinations to ask that expiry dates are adjusted to work around re-opening times/when life is functioning more normally. However they may not be able to clarify this in the short term. Families may need to negotiate this themselves, but if there are any issues with this we encourage you to contact Movin'March and they will follow this up later in the year.

Douglas Park School will look at hosting a Fancy Wheels Fancy Feet Celebration Day later in the year.

MAKING IT HAPPEN: MDC’S PLAN FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS

Masterton District Council is planning to raise property rates by 6%, on average, from 1 July, but it’s not a done deal and it needs to hear from you.

If you live in Masterton, you could be paying around $11 extra each month. If you’re rural, you could be paying anywhere from $9 to $53 extra each month. The exact amount depends on where your property is, and how much it was worth in 2017 (capital value). There are some examples below. Even if you’re renting this will still impact you – a rates increase could be passed on through rent.

But, it’s not a done deal. YOU HAVE A SAY in exactly how much rates might go up. There are three key projects that Council needs to decide how to progress. What option the Council chooses will impact your rates for the year from 1 July, and in future years. So, give your opinion on;

• what is done with the two buildings surrounding the Town Hall, including the façade
• how water flow into Henley Lake is managed
• and how much money is put towards a new skatepark for Masterton.

Tell the Council what you think now and go into win some great prizes, including a $200 petrol voucher, family membership to Pukaha (giving you free access for a year) or tickets to the World of Wearable Art. Plus, for every submission we get we’ll donate a can of food to the Masterton Food Bank.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AT https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8XZZRZK or look for further information at the Council website www.mstn.govt.nz. The Council needs your submission by 4:30pm 20 April.