The road works.

Yesterday's post didn't go live until today for some reason. I must look in to it as it's happened twice now.

As our roading project moves along it is good to see that it is not causing too many issues due to the patience and consideration of the parents, so thank you for that.  Unfortunately they had a few problems with vandalism over the weekend and dropped in some photos to show you. If you recognise any of the names or patterns, please let us know.

Next Tuesday I will be holding a parent information session at 3:15, all welcome up at She Chocolate. The topics is "Tell me what you want, what you really really want." It is just a chance for an informal discussion about the school and the chance for you to raise any issues, make any suggestions or ask any questions. 

Gardens

It was a great day for gardening today so that's what Piwakawaka and the year 6s did. They've tidied them all up and have started their first bit of planting and watering. Unfortunately the cabbages weren't ready for me to have a feed of them for lunch today, maybe tomorrow.

X-Country

This afternoon was the annual Governors Bay School cross country.  The children have been training for this for the last few weeks and it showed in their performance. Everyone put in a really top effort and is to be congratulated for this. A big thank you to the parents for your support in both transport there and back and your encouragement during the races. It was a wonderful afternoon and a highly successful event. Next year we'll be looking to have a parents race.

Get ya Skates On

This afternoon the 2 senior classes were involved in lessons with 'Cheapskates Skate Skool'. They were wonderful sessions involving skateboards and in-line skates. There was even a balance board that become much easier after a few tips form the instructor.  Everyone really enjoyed their time and the instructor was most helpful. It's great to have activities like this to complement our everyday programme.

A bit of Gardening

It was great to have Malcolm working with some students on the garden today. Not only does it involve them in a valuable hands-on activity it teaches the students so much as they work. Teachers don't have all the expertise in every area and it is wonderful to have people like Malcolm in to work with the children and share their knowledge.

As you know, your child is measured against National Standards in mathematics, reading and writing. To give you some more information about National Standards in order to deepen your understanding, here is a link to the parent section on the Ministry of Education website - National Standards.  I will also get this link posted onto our website. If you’d like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I was a little upset yesterday over a picture for the Bay Harbour News. They asked for a photo of me but not having one handy I sent them the closest thing I had, a photo of Tom Cruise.  The upsetting bit came when they rang and asked Rebecca if the new principal looked like Tom Cruise and Rebecca said no!

Bags

I thought Moira's class were all heading home early when I went in this morning.  Their bags were all out on the mat looking like they were ready to leave. Fortunately it turns out they had just been studying their bags in order to write a description of them. It was interesting to listen to the descriptions and then work out which bag was being described.

I was talking with another principal yesterday afternoon and she was telling me of the work she was doing for a student who has already been suspended twice and what it was like trying  to reintegrate him back into the school.  This, along with many similar stories I heard at the conference last week, reminds me of just how good we have it here. We really are in somewhat of a unique situation where everyone can focus on teaching and learning, as time is not wasted with behavioural issues. This creates the wonderful atmosphere the school has and this is commented on by anyone who visits. They always mention the wonderful location and the lovely atmosphere in our school. As I'm sure you are aware a lot of this is due to the home life the children have. Our students have parents who are interested in and supportive of their education and for this I thank you as it makes our jobs so much easier and more rewarding.