Kia ora koutou,

It has been a moving start to the term, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to the many families who attended the Devonport ANZAC Parade. It was a wonderful way to honour our service men and women, and the respect shown by our tamariki was lovely. This sense of remembrance has continued in our classrooms, where students have been engaged in deep learning about the history and enduring significance of ANZAC Day.

Our physical education focus has now shifted to the upcoming school cross-country. It is great to see the children out on the field beginning their training and building their stamina. We are encouraging everyone to focus on their own personal journey; success in this event comes from pushing to achieve their own personal goals and showing perseverance. For our Year 3-6 students, please ensure they have their PE gear and appropriate running shoes at school for these training sessions. Our school cross-country run will take place on Friday, 15th May, and we would love to have you there cheering the children on as they give it their best.

With the change in season and increased activity, this is a timely reminder to ensure all items of school uniform are clearly named so they can be easily returned if misplaced. We have noticed a few variations in footwear lately; please remember that if Crocs are worn to school, they should be in black, white, or dark blue to coordinate with our school uniform, and they must be kept free of "Jibbitz" or charms.

Behind the scenes, our staff remain committed to their own professional growth, with a particular focus on enhancing our structured literacy and mathematics programmes. As we head towards the middle of the year, teachers will begin compiling learning progress reports for students. These will be shared at the beginning of Term 3, providing a comprehensive overview of your child’s achievements and a chance to meet with their class teachers to discuss next steps.

Please take note of some important scheduling reminders. Following the King’s Birthday weekend, school will be closed for a teacher-only day on Tuesday, 2nd June. Regarding daily routines, we ask that children arrive at school between 8:30 am and 8:45 am to allow time to settle in and prepare for the day. We encourage you to support your child’s independence by keeping drop-offs brief. After school, the clearing bell rings at 3:10 pm, at which point all families should be heading home. This allows our staff to attend to their afternoon duties and ensures everyone is accounted for.

Finally, don't forget our assembly tomorrow morning, hosted by the fantastic students of Room 17.

Ngā mihi nui,

Peter Thorne, 

Principal