3 February 2019

Ko te kura, ko te hāpori, ko tātou

Toward community inclusion

Mihi whakatau

On Wednesday we began our school year with a mihi whakatau. For those who do not know, this is an informal welcome used for visitors or guests (manuhiri). In this instance it is how we welcomed students (ākonga) new to our school, their families (whānau) and indeed staff.

The format for the mihi whakatau is that the Tangata Whenua are seated and the manuhiri (visitors or guests) walk on to the school grounds and take a seat opposite the leaders of the school.

The tumuaki/principal then gives a speech of welcome. This is then followed by a waiata (song) which the whole school sing. We sang Te Aroha and as always our students were in fine voice.

A speaker on behalf of the manuhiri then gives a speech, and it was wonderful that our new Deputy Principal, Jenny Gosney stepped forward to do this. Following her speech our visitors sang the waiata E Tu Kahikatea. Many of our students and staff joined in with this as it is well known to us.

The guests are then individually welcomed by the senior people of the school. This is called the hareruin - in this instance it was myself, Linda King (Assistant Principal), Chrissy Mansbridge (Business Manager) and two Student Leaders, Wiremu Manahi & Ami Okada. This is when everyone receives a Hongi/Harirū (literally means to shake hands).

The final section of the mihi whakatua is the sharing of kai (food). This is important as it lifts the tapu/sacredness of the event. Ms Mansbridge gave the karakia/prayer at this.

It was a very positive way in which to start our new school year and thank you to all of the whānau members who came along. It is great to have you all join our community.

Celebrating Students Achievement

Each week in this Update I will share news from around the school

specifically about the amazing achievements our ākonga/students in

and out of the classroom. Over the course of each term it will

hopefully give all of our whānau a greater insight into the wonderful

teaching, learning and therapy programmes our staff provide day in

and day out, and of course the wonderful opportunities which are

afforded to our ākonga/students.

Ms Sparke has been delighted with the independant manner in which Jacob has engaged and

worked in all of his literacy lessons this week, so he gets this week’s Principal Award. Ka pai

Jacob.

The start of each school year always sees new staff joining our team and this year we are

especially delighted to welcome Jenny Gosney as our new, permanent Tumuaki Tuarua/Deputy

Principal (or Dp for short!) Jenny knows our school well, having worked here twice in the past,

and many staff and students have been delighted to see her return.

Joining Jenny as new members of staff are: Ed Book (PE and Health professional leader). Ed

comes to us from sunny Nelson and will be leading these areas throughout the school; Sharon

Utteridge and Meredith MacDuff join our relievers’ team; and Aaron Batstone has joined our

teacher assistant team and Ana Marshall joins our relief teacher assistant team.

I am sure everyone joins me in welcoming these wonderful people to our team here at Allenvale

and we wish them every success in their new roles.

For the first time in many, many years, we begin the school year with no one in ‘Acting’ roles.

This in itself is very exciting and we look forward to sharing very many exciting achievements and

developments with you over the coming terms.

www.sunsmart.org.nz/be-sunsmart/be-sunsmart

Keeping some of our students SunSmart can be a real challenge for whānau and staff here at

school. In school we keep class supplies of sunscreen and spare hats but would appreciate your

support in maintaining these, especially if your child has special cream/s you apply at home. If

you do send in creams or hats for your child to use at school please label them and the staff in

classes will ensure that these are used solely by your son/daughter.

Alas, many of our students struggle to ‘self regulate’ their body temperature by not taking off

jumpers/coats in the warmer weather. If parents/caregivers can be mindful of this in repect to the

clothing students come to school in that would be very helpful. If your son/daughter has

difficulties in accepting suitable clothing to wear to school on warmer days, please let their class

teacher know as he/she will be happy to work with your child on developing an appropriate

dressing/awareness programme.

Nāku i roto i ngā mihi, nā / Very warmest regards Gary Quarless

Tumuaki/Principal

Email: principal@allenvale.school.nz T: 03 351 6743