Kia ora mai anō koutou mā!

Apologies the fortnightly newsletter did not get out on Friday like usual but ‘better late than never’! Although the title says ‘Week 7’, we are actually week 8 now with only 18 school days left to get through the learning for the term before Easter. The pressure’s on!!

We thank all students and parents who have been diligent in checking family members for symptoms and following the health guidance given. We thank the children for wearing their masks properly, cleaning hands, using appropriate sneezing/coughing etiquette and trying their best to limit the spread. It feels like the light is at the end of the tunnel a bit more now and it gives us hope.

We continue to pray for those affected in our school community with Covid or any thing else making life hard at the moment. Kia kaha koutou mā!

Cones: We are putting the cones away at the request of the children (they want to play basketball without moving them out and back each day). We know, you ‘know the routine’ so, although they aren’t there, we are still doing the same thing. The Ministry has said, ‘only essential people to enter school grounds’. It’s fun turning away salesmen but harder not seeing you all in the mornings and afternoons! Hopefully not for too much longer though!!!

Assembly:  Apologies, Friday’s assembly was not videoed due to lots happening on Friday. However, photos are on Facebook or a few below!!! We have assemblies every two weeks and they are held outside using the whare tapere!

Woolston Upgrade Walk: Room 3 took the Woolston tour on Friday. Their guide taught them about the; meaning of the pou, the reasons for the placement and animals etched on the footpath, the three buildings that are gone but remembered with an etching of them, the process of the St Annes planter box, saw Connal Reserve and learnt what we did to help and learnt about the Ōpāwaho River (aka Heathcote River)and the old pā. Probably a bit much for one walk but lots to learn! Two senior students came with us to learn to be guides themselves. We are also walking a bit more to get ready for a mission at the end of the term. More information to come as it develops, but I can tell you, it will be a MISSION!

Enjoy the week ahead people!
Dallas Wichman
Principal