From The Principal's Desk

Dear parents and caregivers

What a fantastic term we have had. Our student inquiry focus was based on the
question: What can we learn about other cultures "Past and Present" through Dance?

This has resulted in fabulous trips and learning, culminating in our Celebration of
Dance on Monday.

Thank you so much for your support of these events, it was great to see all the
parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents in the hall sharing in the learning and for
some, dancing with your child. Many a stylish Chicken Dance was seen!

This dance inquiry has been an opportunity for our children to demonstrate
leadership, creativity, innovation, team work, awareness of others, personal space,
co-operation, plus much more.

Teachers have commented on your child's progress for the first half of this year. in the
mid-year reports which you will receive today. We look forward to the Student Led
Conferences early next term where your child will be able to talk about their learning.
Don't miss out on this opportunity and book in early. Please note the release times
for your child.

Tuesday 31 July 1.15 – 7.30 pm (children wil be released at 12.30)

Thursday 2 August 1.15 – 5.00 pm (children wil be released at 12.30)

You may recall that Room 9 wrote to our Prime Minister for Mothers Day. Ayla and
Mason came to show me the letter that they received from her. 

This term we also had a mufti day which to raised $578.30, just enough for us to

purchase ingredients to cook a main meal and dessert for the 100 families in Ronald
McDonald house on the 21 June. This was a rewarding experience for all involved.

As you will have read and seen in the media, concerns around the teaching
profession continue. To recap:

Current data

• 40% of teachers leave in the first 5 years
• 40% drop in people training to be teachers

Main concerns for teaching

• special needs support – expertise and funding
• workload
• teacher recruitment - Auckland is in crises.

Over the past few weeks PUM's (Paid Union Meetings) have been held for teachers
and principals. We have managed these with the number of members and varying
dates for the meetings. Teachers and Principals voted:

"NZEI Te Rui Roa has announced the rejection of the Secretary for Educations initial
offer for teachers and principals as part of the negotiations for the Primary Teachers'
and Primary Principals' Collective Agreements. Following the rejection of the offer,
stop-work action is a possibility if the dispute can't be settled."

NZEI Te Rui Roa has previously signalled stop-work action for the afternoon of 15
August 2018 between 1:30pm and 4:30pm. It will soon ballot its members as to
whether or not the stop-work action should be a full day on 15 August. Formal
notification of stop-work action needs to be given three days before the proposed
action. That means it may not be confirmed until around 11 August."

There is also suggestions of public action on the 3rd August which may include
communities.

We will keep you informed as we find out more.

This is crucial for teachers, the teaching profession and students We need more
support for the needs of our students and the wonderful teachers that we have. With
the current data, it is vital to ensure we have a continuing source of competent and professionally qualified people to teach your child.

In the meantime , we wish you a safe and happy holiday break, free from colds/illness
and hope we all have opportunities to enjoy the beautiful sunny days.

Noho ora mai

Colleen Margison

Principal 

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