Kia ora e te Whānau,

We wanted to bring some learning highlights to you this week to showcase some of the learning that is happening day to day across the teams. I can assure you that the learning is rich and the engagement is deep. These photos highlight some of the wide array of learning experiences that are happening across the School.

Belinda Kennedy and the Ilam School Team

In this Update you will find information on the following:

• Meeting your Board of Trustee Chairperson

• Board of Trustee Elections

• Mihi Whakatau -TOMORROW

• Bullying-Free NZ Week + Pink Shirt Day (a non-uniform day)

• House Captains -Being a PAL

• Room 13

• PTA fundraising

• Dental Clinic

• Upcoming Events

• Policy Review

Kia ora koutou katoa,

I’m Liz Martyn and I have recently been co-opted to the Ilam School Board as Chair. I served two terms on the BOT as a parent rep, 2013-2019, and was Chair for the second one. My son Hugh Ryan started at Ilam as a New Entrant in 2011, then went to Cobham Intermediate and is now at Riccarton High. My husband, Greg Ryan, was a member of the Ilam PTA for several years. Our links to Ilam didn’t finish when Hugh left. We live on Ilam Rd so the school is part of our community and my US based nieces spent a year here from 2020-2021. Gabriela was in Room 1 (year 5/6) and Genevieve was in Room 12 (year 2) and Room 8 (year 3). My sister Rachel was a member of the PTA while they were in NZ. They enjoyed Ilam as much as we did. The school has been so important for establishing a love of learning, a sense of community, great opportunities and a multicultural experience for my son and nieces. I am happy to be able to help as the current Board finishes a challenging term and we get ready for a new Board taking on the school redevelopment. You can contact the BOT at ilamboardchair@ilam.school.nz

Ngā mihi nui,

Liz

Elections for the School Board will be held in September this year and we need new members.

Who are the Board? We are a group that oversees the direction and performance of the school. We work closely with the Principal and leadership team who run the school day to day. No specific experience is required, we just need you, your perspectives and your energy.

The Board is currently focussed on two big things: the redevelopment of the school property and growing our connection to our diverse community.

It is important that the Board is representative of our community so we encourage you to think about this rewarding opportunity to be involved and give back to our school. Being on the Board involves two meetings per term, and could include work on special projects or initiatives.

If you are interested, please see here for more information or chat with Belinda or one of the current Board. You are also welcome to attend a meeting to see what it’s about, there is one on Monday 27 June at 6pm in the Staffroom.

Please see the timeline for Triennial Elections here:

​​Welcome to New Whānau and tamariki,

Our whole School will be formally welcoming our new learners and their whānau joining the Ilam School Team. At the Mihi Whakatau any new tamariki and their whānau who have joined us from the 7th August 2021 until Friday 20th May 2022 will be welcomed.

Due to Covid restrictions, we will hold two Mihi Whakatau on Friday 20th of May. The Mihi Whakatau at 9.45-10.30 am will be held for Year 3-6 tamariki and their families. The Mihi Whakatau held at 1.45-2.30pm will be for Year 0-2 tamariki and families.

If a family has children in different areas of the school, they can choose one of the Mihi Whakatau ceremonies to attend with their tamariki.

Our new families will collect their child/children from their classes, then meet in the wharepukapuka (library) at 9.45am or 1.45pm.

Following both Mihi Whakatau we invite families to stay and enjoy some refreshments in the hall.

The 16th-20th of May (Week 3) is Bullying-Free NZ week, ending with Pink Shirt Day Friday 20th May. Celebrated annually around the globe, Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 and has been celebrated since 2009 in Aotearoa. The Mental Health Foundation runs Pink Shirt Day at the end of Bullying-Free N.Z. week to raise awareness about bullying prevention in workplaces, schools and communities. On Pink Shirt Day Ilam School students can wear non-uniform clothing and are encouraged to wear something pink. More information about bullying, being an upstander and more can be found here: https://www.bullyingfree.nz/ and https://www.pinkshirtday.org.nz/

While classes will discuss bullying during this week, (what it is and what it isn’t) we have this focus each term at Ilam, not just for one week a year. We talk about the difference between ‘mean’ behaviour and ‘bullying’. ‘Mean’ behaviour is about ‘one off’ incidents that happen at school. We discuss with the children that bullying includes three distinct elements:

● Bullying is deliberately harmful behaviour.

● Bullying is behaviour that is repeated over time.

● Bullying involves a power imbalance between those who bully and those being bullied

We are endeavouring to create an environment of inclusiveness where all people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or cultural background. We also want to encourage Upstanders, those who, when they feel safe, can stand up to inappropriate behaviour and bullying.

“Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!”

On Wednesday 11th May, the House Captains attended a hui to develop their leadership skills and to enable them to become Physical Activity Leaders (PALs). There, they played games, learned what it means to be a good leader and learned how to run games and physical activities at school. The House Captains had so much fun and are looking forward to running some games for the Ilam tamariki at lunchtime, beginning the week commencing 23 May.

Fundraising is such an important part of what the PTA does – raising money for the extras for which the Government funding doesn’t provide. It enriches the learning environment for our children and provides resources that Teachers can utilise in the classroom.

This year we are focusing on fundraising for school wide resources such as picture books and math resources and equipment.

Please look out in our next Update for events hosted by the Ilam School PTA and how you can support the events and get involved.

Please check our Parent Calendar to keep up to date with events at our school. Find the link here.

• Public Holiday Queen's Birthday - Monday 6 June -School Closed

• Public Holiday Matariki - Friday 24 June - School Closed

• Teacher Only Day - Monday 27 June - School Closed

The School Policies up for review in Term 2 are listed on our school website under Our School - Policies and Procedures. Information on how to complete a review can also be found on our website. Please click on the icon below to take you directly.