Dear Parents, Caregivers and Children,

There is something quite magical about the frosty mornings and clear sky days we have been fortunate to have lately. At the gate I am lucky to see the many children rugged up, happy and ready to start the day, it makes me feel grateful to be a part of this community. 

Since our last newsletter our children have been involved in quite a few extra learning opportunities. Offering opportunities like these enrich our local curriculum and it is fantastic to see many of our families allow our children to take part in them.

Tough Guy/Gal was one of these events. Not only is this event fun, it provides a context for children to thrive outside the classroom and be apart of a wider event. It is good for children's wellbeing to participate in such events and from all accounts, all children that participated loved it, well done! 

Another event was the National Young Leaders Day (NYLD). This is an opportunity we give our Year 7 and 8 children. Two weeks ago 46 of them travelled to Claudelands Event Centre and were inspired by the many stories from leaders and role models in our society. One key message that got reported back to me was from Brook Neal a NZ Hockey Player. She posed the question "have you ever felt like a 'Duck'? On the top: calm, cool, collected; underneath: busy, going flat out, struggling”. This I am sure resonated with several of our children and I am sure you as you read it. How often do we present a 'duck like' persona to save face. For our children I feel that this message is one to hold onto. With the growing influence of social media in peoples lives and the glorification of everyday events, it is critical they develop the understanding that at times we struggle and that doing so is very normal. Embrace the struggle, share it and get support to move through it. Smiling and pretending won't, and doesn't help.

Tomorrow we have our Mid Year reports going home with your tamariki. I have enjoyed reading them all and seeing how each of them have progressed with their learning. Through reading them it was clear our teachers are well attuned to their needs. I am confident you will read that for yourselves as well. 

To follow up these reports, next week we have our Student Led Conferences. If you have not booked already please do so via: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz using the code: r423b. These conferences are designed to complement the Mid Year Report and further involve yourselves as parents in the learning of your little ones. 

This is our final newsletter for the term. Thank you for your ongoing support, commitment and care of our children. We are very fortunate and grateful to be apart of this learning community. 

Warm Regards

Geoff