From The Principal's Desk

15th December 2021

Dear parents and caregivers,

Well, here we are at the end of 2021. Thinking back to the end of last year we had no idea that things would end this way. But you have made it!

Congratulations on navigating this year and all the words that have become so critical, being agile, being able to pivot, being flexible, showing gratitude and supporting our wellbeing.

I cannot tell you how wonderful it has been to end our year with our students. To hear their laughter, to watch them play and enjoy each others’ company, while still maintaining the health and safety factors has been a real joy.

To see our staff enjoying their students, appreciating each others’ company and actively participating in school life has been so rewarding for all.  It has shown us the value of connecting, feeling like we belong and caring for each other. This has been so for our students and staff alike and we hope this for you too, as our whānau. Mellons Bay is a great school and a great community.

At this time of year we are gearing up for next year. I do hope that you will be able to book your time for your whānau korero (family talk). This will be great chance for you, your child and us to come together to  share what’s been going on and how we can set up for a successful 2022. Full classes will start on the Thursday 3 February.

We farewelled Group A and Group B students this week and today we farewell the year 6’s. This has been a different end to their primary schooling but I am confident that our children have learnt things along their journey this year that they may not have experienced otherwise.

Reading the Merit Certificates over the past two days many have developed skills of innovation and creativity which will see them along way in their futures. They have also demonstrated resilience and a bounce back approach, not only for their academic learning but also for their social and emotional learning.   

I'd like to thank all the families that will be leaving our school this year. A special note to our year 6 parents for all that you have contributed to our school, your support has been appreciated.

This is also a time where we have to farewell some staff and I would like to say thank you to all the parents that have come down to bring something in for Mr and/or Mrs Costello.

Mr and Mrs C will be truly missed by the school. I call Tony our caretaker extraordinaire as he really is the best caretaker I have ever come across in my school years so far.

Judy has been our first point of call for many families as our Assistant Principal and I know that she will enjoy the opportunity to be closer to her grandchildren. I am so glad that the children were able to return to school  for Judy, as I know she would have felt a bit funny if the school year had ended without returning to site. She has really missed them and I know they are the centre of all that she does.  We are lucky to have shared these years with such a hardworking couple who have contributed so much to the school over their time here.

Unfortunately we will also be losing Mrs Drummond whose husband has won a Principal position in Blenheim and we know that she will love her lifestyle down there. Mrs Stephens is on maternity leave next year, we wish her well. At this time she has a number of Xmas outfits to choose form and we know the options have been little more limited lately!

Mrs Betts will be joining us for the beginning of next year (we hope) as she is due to have a sister or brother for her son Darcy. Mrs McInally will also be on leave next year but will be back for 2023. We welcome back Ms Shayna Ravji next term, to the senior school, Mrs Halligan will work with Mrs Bozas after Mrs Betts leaves and we take great delight in welcoming back Ms Sian Dougherty who will be joining us in the middle school.

We welcome Mr Steve Tobin to our school as our new caretaker. He has previous experience and a bit of a dry sense of humour so we look forward to working with him. The children have referred to him as Mr T.

We also look forward to meeting our new AP, Mrs Lara Kendall. Lara is from Point View School and comes highly recommended. Lara is really excited to join our community and is looking forward to meeting you, our students and our families.

Thank you to all the fabulous parents that have come down and picked up your child’s belongings or have returned items. We appreciate you returning all the library books, reading books, instruments and costumes. If you find any over the Xmas break that’s ok too, just bring them to the whānau korero day and drop them in at the office.

SKiDs will be opening up again from the 11th January and please look out for the notices in regard to the uniform store if you need it.

I’d like to thank the PTA for the fundraising they did at the beginning of this year. If you are keen to help out and would like to help out next year with an event in some way, please contact the committee. Your help with even one event in a year helps lighten the load for everyone.

We currently have a great Board of Trustees.  I’d like to thank Matt Ward for the time he has given this year as the Chair, or presiding member as it is now known. Thanks also to our Board members for their focus and commitment to the governance of our school.

I’d personally like to thank our staff. They are a fabulous, wonderful group of people who have worked so willingly through our scenarios this year and have shown great acceptance, understanding and flexibility.

We look forward to the beginning of next year. We know that things won’t be as ‘normal’ but we are keen to put into practice what we have learnt, the way we are able to cope with things as they change and the way we support each other.

We are a great community!

Please take care and have a safe and happy holiday break.

Nga mihi

Colleen Margison
Principal/Tumuaki

Learning to Navigate our Changing World

News Bites

Kindo is here!!

This is a cashless and simple payment system designed for schools.  Going forward we will be putting all school related costs on Kindo to make life easier for all.  School donations and all school events and activities.  We invite you to see it in action and register.

To register please click here

Already registered? Click here to sign in

To view 'how it works' click here