Talofa

We have such a wonderful community.  Thank you all for coming together to support us with the untimely passing of our dear colleague, 

Jyoti Jina-Riches.  We appreciate your messages, kindness and understanding of us at such a difficult time.  On Friday we held a Red Day to raise money for Mary Potter Hospice on behalf of Jyoti.  Her husband Peter and daughter Nik were able to attend.  We sang a waiata and performed a haka for them.  Peter thanked us all for the support.  Thanks to Whaea Jo, Harper, Nina and Josie for all your work getting this organised in such a short time.  We raised $500, thank you everyone.  We will also be planting a tree in honour of Jyoti later in 2026.

We had our last W.A.T.P Hui (Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai - Building the Best Learners) on the beach on 20th November.  It was wonderful to see whānau coming down and finding out more about Beach School.  If you do have any questions, please ask kaiako, or Jo Graham.  We are reviewing our W.A.T.P Hui.  Currently we have one each term to bring the community together and we use the feedback you have given us for the focus that we have.  If you have any ideas about what you would like to see or hear about, something you would like to share, or another idea, we would love to hear from you.  You can pop in and see me, or email principal@lyallbay.school.nz  

In our last newsletter, we sent out a survey to hear your thoughts on how we can improve and what we're doing well.  We used Te Whare Tapa Whā as our guide.  This model, created by Māori health advocate, Sir Mason Durie, in 1984, describes health and wellbeing as a meeting house with four walls:

1. Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing)

2. Taha Hinengaro (Mental and Emotional Wellbeing)

3. Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing)

4. Taha Whānau (Family and Social Wellbeing)

The connection to the land (whenua) is the foundation.  When these areas are balanced, we thrive; when they're not, our wellbeing suffers.

Highlights and Feedback:

Beach School:  Many of you mentioned that Beach School is a highlight.

Spiritual Wellbeing (Taha Wairua):

• Some families are unsure about what happens in this area at school.

• Many appreciate how caring our teachers and staff are.

Suggestions include sending home prayers (karakia), celebrating more cultures, and improving communication about what’s happening in class.

Mental and Emotional Wellbeing (Taha Hinengaro):

• There was a lot of praise for Beach School, supportive teachers, and respectful treatment of students.

• Suggestions for improvement included ensuring kids have friends in new classes and providing quiet spaces for those who need them.

• Many families felt that communication is key and that we already have quiet spaces and ways for families to meet with teachers.

For mental and emotional wellbeing (taha hinengaro), there was significant praise for Beach School, supportive teachers, and the respectful treatment of students.  Families suggested ensuring that children have friends in new classes and providing quiet spaces for those who need them. Many respondents emphasised the importance of communication and noted that we already have quiet areas and opportunities for families to meet with teachers.

Physical Wellbeing (Taha Tinana):

• Families are happy with our sports, swimming, and healthy eating programs.

• Suggestions for improvement include adding yoga, upgrading playgrounds, and providing more information about upcoming sports.

• Most families appreciate what we have in place, and we’ll consider their suggestions.

In terms of physical wellbeing (taha tinana), families expressed satisfaction with our sports, swimming, and healthy eating programs.  Suggestions for improvement included adding yoga, upgrading playgrounds, and providing more information about upcoming sports activities.  Most families appreciated the existing programs and expressed general contentment with what we offer, while still encouraging us to consider their suggestions.

Family and Social Wellbeing (Taha Whānau):

• Positive feedback included great communication and community involvement.

• Suggestions included creating events to bring families together and clearer communication about which events are for families and which are for kids.

Regarding family and social wellbeing (taha whānau), positive feedback highlighted the great communication and community involvement we provide.  Families suggested creating more events to bring the community together and requested clearer communication about which events are intended for families and which are for children.

Connection to the Land (Whenua):

• Many praised our gardening and local connections.

• Suggestions included more gardening, focusing on Māori culture, and improving our grounds

Finally, in relation to our connection to the land (whenua), many respondents praised our gardening efforts and local connections.  Suggestions included increasing gardening activities, focusing more on Māori culture, and improving the grounds.  Overall, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and there were many useful ideas for improvement.  We have been collaborating with Te Atiawa for the past four years through Kura Ahurea https://wharewakatours.maori.nz/cultural-education/ ), as well as Māori Achievement Collaborative (https://www.mac.ac.nz/ ), both  help guide us in Māori culture and language.  We are also open to organising volunteer days to enhance our playgrounds and would love to know who is interested in participating?

We have sent out our dates for 2025 last term but there may be some changes.  Some of the dates for Teacher Only Days are guided by the Ministry of Education for Maths Professional Development.  The Ministry will be letting us know which dates we can have to the whole Kahui Āko (Eastern Suburb kura) can attend together.  The dates that stay stable are our start and finish date and the day before King's Birthday weekend and the day after Labour Day.  Sorry for the inconvenience but will let you know the dates as soon as the Ministry have informed us. 

This week our te reo Māori is around our school values and vision.  Our vision is Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai - Building the Best Learners.  

We live the vision through our Strategic Plan.  Our school values are (click the links to hear the correct pronunciation, Manaaki https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=manaaki, Pākiki https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=pakiki, Whakapono https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=whakapono, and Hiranga https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=Hiranga.

We will be farewelling Caitlin at the end of the year.  She has decided to go to Korea for a change of scene.  We wish her well in her new venture and will miss all the love and care she gives to the tamariki. 

Look out on HERO for messages, notices, celebrations of learning, timely comments and current curriculum levels.  If you are having trouble with HERO please pop in and see us. 

If you would like to have a chat with me, there is the opportunity this Friday from 8.30 - 9.05am.  Come and see me in the Library.
Kia pai te wiki
Melanie