Kia orana

The last week of term is always a busy one.  This week we have already had a Talent Quest organised and run by Anaton, Harley and Elvis (supported by Miss Grace).  What a wonderful event, the talent on display was amazing as was the talent of the organisers.  A few photos of our talented tamariki below.  Thanks also for the support of whānau. 

Today we held our Yr 6 Graduation ceremony.  This is such a profound event for our Yr 6 tamariki.  We share the winners of awards in front of the whole school and invited whānau from Yr 6 (also available through zoom).  Tamariki and staff have the opportunity to vote for Yr 6s who display our school values consistently.  The recipents of these awards are: Manaaki - Elvis, Molly, Marilyn, Scarlett;  Whakapono - Celyn, Kalani, Samuel F, Taylor B;  Pākiki - Jack A, Lang Lang, Mala, Owen;  Hiranga  - Bernie, Lucia, Oliver, Ariya.  The tamaiti who gets the most votes across all four values is awarded our most sought after cup "Building the Best Learners Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai".  This year the award went to Dylan Rama.  Congratulations Dylan, so well deserved.  We also award Dux for our top academic student.  All assessments from the current year (and sometimes previous years if it is required) are gathered and analysed for 'top marks'.  This year the Dux is Dylan Rama.  Tino Pai Dylan, you should be so proud of all your achievements, as should each and every one of our Yr 6s.  Along with his cup and certificate, Dylan was presented a taonga donated by Real Aotearoa.  Tonight the Yr 6s will celebrate with a dinner and disco at The Pines. 

Today we also had our transition visits to 2023 hubs and there will be another visit on Wednesday (see details below).  Thursday Onepū are off on a trip to Melrose park to celebrate all their hard work.  Friday is our final day, we will have a final farewell assembly after morning tea, then all tamariki return to class for a final farewell at 12.30pm. 

On Monday there was a post shared, also through HERO, as to which curriculum level your tamariki are currently working at.  Usually tamariki in Yrs 1-2 are working at curriculum level 1, in Yrs 3-4 they are working within curriculum level 2 and in Yrs 5-6 working within curriculum level 3.  Attached to the post is a graph as an explanation of the usual expected achievement levels for each year group.  This graph is different to previous years as we had feedback from some whānau that the version was confusing, we hope this one is more helpful for you.  There is also a written comment as to where they are working in Reading, Writing and Maths.  Kaiako assess tamariki using a range of diagnostic and normed assessments that are New Zealand based, as well as noticing their learning in workshops, the processes they use, and observations.  This is called an Overall Teacher Judgement or OTJ.  If you have any questions about this, please just have a chat to the kaiako. 

We have increasing cases of COVID at school.  Please keep an eye out for symptoms and test if you think there could a possibility of COVD being present.  If someone is COVID positive, just that person from the household needs to isolate for seven days, the rest of the household can continue as normal, but do need to test regularly.  If a child tests positive for COVID and was present at school when they could have been infectious, a notice will go out to the affected hub on HERO. 

Congratulations to Au Hāro who won the cleanest Hub award for last week, again!   Ka pai.  At the end of the term the hub with the most weekly awards wins a prize thanks to Crest Clean. 

In 2023 we are looking at moving the newsletter to once every two weeks.  We would love to know if you think this option would suit you or not, please email principal@lyallbay.school.nz or call and leave a message, or pop in and see me with your thoughts.  We are also looking at changing the time of the Parent and Principal chat.  If you have a preference of time please let us know.

All principals in our Motu Kairangi Kāhui Āko met last week and one discussion was around the MoE confirmed extra Teacher Only Days.  These days are to help support the significant changes occurring to strengthen our schooling in the refresh of the NZ Curriculum.  We were given a period of time from MoE to hold the first TOD, so all members of Motu Kairangi Kāhui Āko have decided that we will all have this on the same day which is 24th April (the current first day of term 2). 

At the beginning of 2023 we will be inviting all whānau in to learn more about the learning programmes.  A date has not been set for this yet, but will most likely be in the week of 13th February.  More details will come out to you at the beginning of the year.  We are looking forward to 2023, working together to Build the Best Learners Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai with exciting and proactive learning programmes. 

We wish you all a wonderful break, time to be with those you love, opportunity to relax, and sunshine to brighten your days. 

Mere Kirihimete

Melanie