End of term updates - Happy holidays.

School Photos
We want to express our thanks to Karen Talbot who gave up her time to help us out with our 2018 school photos. We now have updated class and individual photos on record for all the children. Many of you will have received a class photo emailed out with school reports towards the end of last week. Shortly we will be in touch with information about getting hold of individual, family and class prints if that is of interest.

Farewells
On Friday we farewelled Rebecca and Kirk Thomas from our school. We want to thank them for the energy and commitment that they have brought to our school and the students. We will miss them, including Lucas and Owen, and wish them all well for the overseas journey they will shortly embark on.

Building Project
The new toilet block is now underway as is the renovation to Rooms 1 and 2. We expect the projects to run quite smoothly and hope to be in a position to give you updates as they arise. While Rooms 1 and 2 are now out of bounds for children, access to the toilets in behind will remain available through the two side doors. Children are also not allowed in behind the construction fences that are now on site, and are encouraged not to through balls and other sports equipment into that fenced off area.

Hillary Outdoors
In week 2 of term 3 our Year 7 and 8 students will be heading to Mt Ruapehu for a week long experience at Hillary Outdoors. We are excited about the many challenges and experiences that our students will face, not to mention the parent supporters who will be joining us. Opportunities to develop and enhance PYP attitudes including confidence, cooperation, empathy and tolerance abound at this unique outdoors experience. Look out for updates early in term 3.

Talk for Writing
The teaching team are looking closely at a strategy called 'Talk for Writing' to help students build their literacy skills in writing. "Talk for Writing is powerful because it enables children to imitate the language they need for a particular topic orally before reading and analysing it and then writing their own version." (http://www.talk4writing.co.uk/about/). Quite simply it is work based around an understanding that if a child can speak an idea, then they can write it. We continue to seek avenues for building literacy in writing across the whole school.

We look forward to seeing you again in term 3. Enjoy a happy and safe holiday break.

Ngā mihi nui

Chris Bell
Principal