PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
John Goulstone
Kia ora koutou
I hope that everyone had a good break over Waitangi Weekend despite the intense heat. I say everyone however there are a number of families that have been hit by covid and it seems to be doing the rounds in the community again. The isolation period remains at 7 days if you have covid however, if you are in the same household and you have a negative RAT then you can go about your business as usual.
I have been advised that head lice are out and about at school. If your child is itching their head then this could be a sign to check for nits. If your child has long hair then tying it up can help in avoiding nits.
Next week we have our regular beginning of the year Meet the Teacher evening. It is a good opportunity to hear from the teacher about the classroom programme and find out what the class routines are. It is on Thursday 16 Feb from 6:30-7:30pm. We will start in the Activity Centre before heading off to classrooms. Each class will run two sessions. The first at around 6:45pm and the second at 7:10pm. They will go for twenty minutes with a five minute break in between to get people between classrooms. Individual parent/teacher interviews are on 27 Feb. and 2 March. Teachers are available at other times of course. If it is more than a quick 1-5 minute catch up before or after school it is best to make a time with your child’s teacher to do so.
Our flag raising ceremony is this coming Monday at 10:15am (if fine). We will say a few words, acknowledge the backgrounds of our current students and celebrate the diversity that we have in our school and sing our national anthem. Our concept this term of tūrakawaewae fits well with this ceremony. Tūrakawaewae translates (from the online dictionary that I used) as - place where one has the right to stand - place where one has rights of residence and belonging through kinship and whakapapa. We have widened that concept to be about places that are important to us and the sense of belonging that this engenders.
Our swimming lessons are in full swing with Donna Brooks taking the seniors over at the High School pool (for those that are ready for this) and everyone else is enjoying lessons at our own pool. Currently I look after and operate the school pool. This may not be the case for the new principal and they may need someone to take over the running of the pool for them. It will probably be a voluntary role - if you are interested then let me know.
