11 September 2026

Kia ora koutou,

We are stepping nicely into spring and some periods of warmth and wind!! Despite a steady stream of  illnesses swirling, we’ve managed to juggle things well and keep routines relatively consistent for both our students and staff. Phew! What's that about touching wood?

As always at this time of year, momentum builds quickly as we prepare for the Arts Celebration and gather student work for end-of-year reporting. It might seem early, but teachers begin drafting around the break to allow plenty of time for internal moderation and review. It’s a delicate balancing act - getting a head start on the writing while remaining alert to any late breakthroughs in student progress during the final term. It takes a few chefs to check the seasoning when it comes to reporting.

In saying this - please if you ever have concerns about your child's progress don't wait for the next reporting round. Checking in early prevents smaller worries from magnifying - preferable all round. 

Maths at Home: Check out the Ministry of Education Parent Portal, specifically the Maths Practice section. It is a good resource if you have been looking for clear, practical ways to support learning at home. www.education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/parent-portal/maths-practice (On trial).

Next week we have two biggies on the calendar. The Annual Arts Celebration - it's always wonderful to see ALL children having an opportunity, THEIR ideas coming together and OUR community all here over two evenings. A BIG thank you in advance to our staff who are keeping the focus on doing their best for the children to do their best.

Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language. The 2026 focus for next week, Te Wiki or te Reo Māori is Te Reo Towns. Let's keep it alive, as we try to do everyday within our 'town' - Te Kura o te Whētukairangi! https://en.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/te-wiki-2026

Hold on tight over these next few weeks and as things heat up for Term 4.  As Albert Einstein famously said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Let’s keep reframing the challenges and hunting down those opportunities together!

Ngā mihi nui 

Jude