13 November 2020 

Kia Ora everyone, 

This week our senior leadership team had the privilege of attending Te Akatea Maori Principals Conference with over 400 principals and leaders in attendance from across NZ. We listened to many speakers over the course of three days including Hon Kelvin Davis Associate Minister for Education and Minister for Children. His korero was aspirational around the revitalisation of Te Reo across the education sector as well as the compulsory curriculum Te Takanga o te Waa Maori from 2022. We were also absorbed into Pio Turei’s 4 year journey of grief after losing his teenage son to leukemia. Listening to the continued impact on his family and the struggles and the challenges left no dry eye in the room. Our take out message was an analogy shared of a boiling pot with the lid on it - suppression of traumatic events and keeping those things deep down within us and not dealing with the things we should, lead to the lid eventually flying off .. and not only burning ourselves but those closest to us. His encouragement to support each other, to take notice, to connect with others was timely as we almost close a year of uncertainty. 

School Disco 

We can’t wait for the fun to begin this evening! Our full staff will be in attendance alongside our hard working school councillors, parent helpers and of course our kids! A few reminders for this evening; 

Y0-3 5-6:30pm 

Y4-6 7-8:30pm

Cell phones are not permitted at this event by students. If your child needs to contact you, there will be a number of staff with mobile phones and access to your contact details. 

You can pick up your child directly from the hall at the end of the disco (or just from the peace tree area outside). 

Food sales will be available. 

Covid Tracking App- Disco 

If you intend to enter the hall tonight please use the covid tracking app which will be on the gate/doors etc. 

Knowledge-a-thon 

Thank you to whanau Harakeke and their families for the awesome support to raise money for chrome books and library books this year. We have raised a total of $11,000! We can not thank you enough for getting in behind this fundraiser and we look forward to the arrival of many new books and chrome books soon! 

Basketball 

Interclass basketball for Whanau Harakeke starts this coming week. Congratulations to Room 7 who won the interclass netball competition. 

Thank you to all for your continued support. 

Nga Mihi, 

Nardz Stephenson 

Principal