10 March 2023

With so much happening on the whānau calendar so far in this first quarter of this year, I thought I'd take a pause to reflect on just that 'community'. It's a big word. Rōpū, bunch, band, neighbourhood... the list goes big and wide, and covers a lot of territory.

In looking at some of the key things that stand out for me in terms of the way the staff are expected to build partnerships with whānau, our immediate community, there are 3 key principles, I think:

It's pretty simple. This is always the intent. This is why we are recognised as doing a rather good job at building belonging, of community at Worser Bay School.

If I reflect on the calendar, Rising 5s is running on full steam - if this isn't a great example of all 3 factors above, I don't know what is. Engaging at 4, coming to school regularly before beginning and bringing their whānau too! 

For all parents starting with us across the school, we have introduced an extra layer of chat over the last year or so. This is an opportunity where teachers and parents have a chance to get together and get down a little deeper into what is important for parents, how the family ticks and chat values and hopes. We used to ask a list of questions on a form - never the same as a kanohi ki te kanohi / face-to-face personal chat showing a whole lot more value to the relationship.

This year, we started with what is historically known as 'stationery drop off' before school came back officially. This is more of an engage early/connect rather than a drop! (Might change the name!)

First day back, we had our lovely informal Whānau Beach Picnic. Hot on the heels, we were into goal setting with whānau and children. We have had a number of trips across the school, parent sports coaches and managers are into things, we had the fabulous Mihi Whakatau in the morning to welcome many new and not so new children and whānau, had piles of delicious baking delivered from our parents and ended the day with the opportunity for a Hikoi, a community history walk around our local area. This was also a terrific opportunity for teachers and parents to just be together with children running a little wild!

It's been wonderful seeing the numbers grow at Karakia again and, after Camp (yes, another huge event this week for our Senior team and all of those willing parent volunteers), we will be having our first Assembly back for the year due to a quieter calendar that week!

Our pizza makers and sausage sizzlers are hard at work proviidng a break from making school lunches and also raising some dollars towards our fundraising efforts. Of course, a massive community event is the School Fair, to be held on 12 November this year.

This brings everyone together, new teams are formed, old ones are reinstalled or reimagined - there is plenty of fun to be had and relationships to be built.

Of course, it takes a village... it takes a community to do their bit in pulling off such a feat as a terrific Fair, so you will be hearing much more as we seek support with the dreaming, planning and the doing. Watch this space!