Tālofa Lava

On Friday I dropped the donated goods to Eskdale school.  The school is now situated in a sports domain closer to Napier, as they have no sewerage system and their field is covered in silt.  I have to take my hat off to them.  The clubrooms they are in are old and uninviting and they have to move in and out because of other events that happen at the domain.  The Yr 7/8 tamariki are in another school 10 km away and are bussed to and from the sports domain so parents only have to pick up from one place.  They don't have all their resources, they are using port-a-loos, they have whānau who have lost everything, yet the tamariki are happy at school, kaiako are smiling and making the best of it and whānau are pleased there is some normality for them. Tristan, the Principal, was thrilled with the donations, but especially the money as it means they can do some interesting activities for the tamariki.  So thank you everyone for your donations, time and effort.  Thanks to the student leaders who organised the fundraising and those who sorted the items and helped pack them into my car!

Thank you to everyone in our community for supporting kaiako in their fight for better conditions for your tamariki.  Kaiako don't like to strike, but it was felt that this was the only action that was left.  We have been in negotiations for 10 months and haven't got anywhere with them.  We are wanting improved conditions which include improved support for tamariki, more staff to support learning, better recognition for the work we do, and value and respect for our kindergarten kaiako.

Next week (28 - 29 March) are our Learning Conversations.  These conversations are very important for the learning of all tamariki and is an opportunity for you to see what and how they are learning first-hand.  Tamariki lead the conversation about their learning with support from kaiako.  They will share what they have been learning in reading, writing, and maths, as well as anything else they are working on or are proud of.  Kaiako will join you for most of the conversation.  They can answer any questions you have, help guide the conversation about learning, and support tamariki with their sharing.  The time put aside for these conversations is 30 minutes.  This time is flexible for you so it can fit around other commitments you may have. There will be other whānau in the space so it won't matter if you are late or leave early.  All tamariki are welcome, but we do remind the tamariki who aren't sharing to show Manaaki Respect to their sibling and others in the hub.  You can book your Learning Conversations through this link https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/35xku (unless your child is in Ahu).  Learning Conversations start at 3:15pm and the last one finishes at 6:45pm on Tuesday 28 March or Wednesday 29 March.  Tamariki in Ahu have a slightly different format for their first Learning Conversation.  These conversations are focussed on how well tamariki have settled at school as well as their learning.  If your child is in Ahu you will receive a different booking schedule through HERO.  These are on the same day and same times as the rest of the school.  If you have any trouble with the booking please see kaiako or pop to the office.  Kaiako will be contacting you, as a reminder, if you haven't booked a time. 

Last week we held our first Mihi Whakatau since 2021.  Our Kapa Haka performance roopu led us so well in all our waiata and the tamariki and whānau who were being welcomed as manuhiri also did a great job of performing waiata.  A big thanks to Diego who did the whaikorero on behalf of the manuhiri, in Spanish, and Matua Henare who said the whaikorero for the tangata whenua.  We appreciate you both stepping up.  If you would like to support us in our next Mihi Whakatau in term 3, by taking the lead with the whaikorero, we would love to korero with you.  Tino pai tamariki and whānau. 

Next term we have our W.A.T.P. (Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai) hui, we have these at the beginning of each term.  These hui are for you, so we want to make sure they are what you are wanting.  In the past, they have been before school, after school, and early evening - is there a better time that suits?  What would you like to korero about? Please email, chat to kaiako or fill in the survey that will come out later, to let us know, so we can tailor these to your needs. 

The newsletter is published every two weeks on Tuesdays.  It will be available on HERO and on our website.  In each newsletter some kupu will be shared with you to help with all of our understanding... korereo: to speak;  kī: to be full; rerei: to be ready; kohi: to collect, gather; mahana: warm. 

Ngā mihi nui

Melanie