Kia ora Whanau and Tamariki,

At the end of last year a final message from me was to ensure we lead into 2021 with unwavering optimism. While only 6 weeks into the year the team and I are energized and have been delighted with how our children have entered back into school with a strong sense of belonging, connectedness and community. We know that when children have that sense of place and identity they are far more set up for success and are able to get on and enjoy the opportunity and challenge of learning. As a result these first 3 days have very much cemented the optimism I have for 2021 and I hope you are able to join us with this approach.

In just over a weeks time Nyree and I look forward to sharing our Strategic Goals and Direction with our Board of Trustees for them to consider. This document is our very deliberately designed pathway that aims to achieve excellent learning outcomes for our tamariki. It is data driven and ensures we stay true to our values, beliefs and principles around learning that have been with our community for years.

One key goal is to continue to build agency within our learners. Yesterday Amy and I had a meeting with a local Secondary School Principal for Flynn around his enrolment for 2021. It was a real positive experience. A key message that resonated throughout the conversation was the need for Flynn to have agency, understand himself as a learner and to be self directed with his organisation and willingness to do well. It was very reassuring as a Primary School Principal to hear. As it confirms that building agency is a skill for life, a skill that builds each child's capability, which can be applied across contexts. Building agency takes time and can not always be measured by quantitative data. It is something that develops at different speeds and stages. 

Tonight we have our Meet the Teacher Family Picnic from 5.30pm - 7.00pm. This is a lovely community evening where we are able to reconnect after the summer break, chat to other families and of course meet your child/ren's teachers for 2021. It is also an opportunity for you to share any updates you feel necessary for us to know about your child, so that we are best able to support them throughout the year.

We all look forward to the term and year in front of us and of course a big welcome back.

Warm regards

Geoff