19 September 2025

This is the final newsletter for Term 3. I can never believe when we have made it... because 'it' just keeps coming!

It's been a big term full of riches. I was so pleased with the parent chats we had recently – all very different: different topics, different timings, and a range of flavours. This was because we hoped to be more responsive to the questions you’ve had and what’s been top of mind for you.

All the feedback was so positive that I think it’s safe to say we can expect more of this ongoing, with more regular get-togethers in the future!

The Tautoru team’s conversation was centred around 'stress to strength' and the importance of allowing children to make mistakes and try things for themselves without us bigger people hovering too close to do things for them. I came across this article last week along similar lines, which may pique your interest:

www.scientificamerican.com/article/letting-kids-fail-is-crucial

Teachers will be writing the final reports for the year over the break. There is quite a process involved, so they take time, which also needs to be balanced with accurate data, as sometimes in that final push for the year rapid change can occur for some. Maybe it’s the warmer days!

Thank you for contributing to the Future of Education at Worser Bay 'brown bits of paper' last week. I will pull these together over the break and place them against a previous request for thoughts on 'What is success?'. It will be interesting to see if and how things have moved a couple of years on, with newer community members bringing additional thinking through the gate. Next steps will be sharing with the Board and seeing what needs to remain and what will become the way forward. All of this, of course, sits within the National Curriculum umbrella – but there is always local decision-making and sprinkles of flavourings that can be tinkered with so we reflect what’s important for the community in terms of strategic direction.

I wonder if belonging and inclusivity shine through? This is what I see demonstrated amongst you, our parent community, constantly – in many different ways, daily. We are so fortunate to have this place we call school to connect, support, and grow together.

Term 4 will be a fab one – full of learning adventures in and outside of the classroom.

Of course too – bring on the FAIR!