Week 7 NEWSLETTER

Student Leadership and the end of a ‘School Council’

It's the time of year where we traditionally would select and announce our school councillors. I’ve been involved with this group since we set it up in 2004, and over the years the role has changed a lot. Originally, the idea was for a group of student leaders to collect information from other children about how the school was going (playground issues, new equipment they wanted etc). Then slowly the role adapted…fundraising for items, running events, fundraising for charities. Over time the amount of councillors we would have has grown, and the selection process changed. Originally it was a boy and girl from each senior room that teachers chose, to now, where a host of children apply and the more outstanding applicants are chosen. This was how this year started as well, but as we got to the tricky part of student voting and selection we faced an issue. 

The reality we faced was that some outstanding children were going to miss out…and what struck us was that some of them were already doing the hard mahi. Leaders in the Enviro Team, leaders in the Radio Team, leaders on the sports field, leaders in the Solway Reserve project…children who were already outstanding young leaders. This led us to really question the way we viewed and developed leadership in the school. 

So where to next? The idea of a ‘school council’ of 18 or so children is no more. Rather than that, we will recognise a heap of leadership positions that already exist in the school, and provide leadership roles for those ready to step into them. We will do another round of leadership applications, we know some children didn’t apply to be councillors…but may still want to tackle a leadership role. After that we will have a good look at all of the groups in the school (Library, Radio, Enviro, PRIDE, Tracking and Trapping, Sports, Kapa haka) and see where our new ‘school leaders’ fit. We will also look to create more roles/jobs for children to step into and lead. 

So…while we won’t have a ‘council’ as it has traditionally looked, the same core roles will be there. With a wider view of what leadership means, we can recognise more of those doing the hard mahi, provide more opportunities for our awesome young people and develop the next generation of young leaders for New Zealand.

Teacher Only Days

Due to the new curriculum being rolled out, all NZ schools are entitled to two teacher only days across the year for professional learning. 

We have one day booked already - Tuesday June 3rd (the day after King's Birthday). This is the townwide teacher only day, with all the primaries and secondaries closing their doors for the day. 

We will have another later in the year, and once that is finalised I’ll communicate that to you. 

Community Event - Te Poropiti 1881

This Sunday 16th March, from 12pm – 4pm at Te Ropiha Marae (Queen Elizabeth Park Green Space, Masterton) there is a community event to honour a great Māori leader, Pāora Te Pōtangaroa.

His legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of Wairarapa Māori with his vision and leadership standing as a lasting source of pride.

In recognition of this, and with a focus on rangatahi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa are hosting the second annual Pāora Day.

Whakanuia Whānau! – Bring a kai and wai (picnic) and a whāriki (blanket) and enjoy the day

Stationery - Thank you to everyone who has already paid.

We are very lucky to have the BOT subsidise our stationery for the year.  This really keeps costs down and once again we ask that all learners pay $15 as soon as possible.  The easiest way to pay is online, our bank details are ASB 12-3290-0064275-00 please put your child's name as a reference.  You can also call into the office and pay by eftpos or send cash to the office in a named envelope if you prefer.  Please pay promptly as it saves us following up but any problems at all please see the office.

In writing time we have been learning about show not tell. Check out our awesome mahi! 

All school teams and draws will be posted on Hero.