Changing of the Guard

It is so good to be back. I have had a wonderful sabbatical but I am most fortunate to have the privilege of having the best job in the world. I get to work with some of the world's most fabulous people; adults, staff, parents and children who want to learn and see each day as opportunity. I think that is why I am so passionate about education, because it is so empowering and so hopeful, the people involved in it what to make a difference especially the learners.
The week went well, great to be greeted by so many children and adults who were keen to hear how my time away was. Of course I was more interested in what they had been up to and have spent some time catching up. I did however "miss the boat" on a couple of things - one was a really big error on my part - hopefully, my apology will be accepted...... I forgot to acknowledge last terms recipients of the Wai Learner Awards ( this is a biggee so I really mucked up). My only excuse was that there was a "changing of the guard" and I simply moved on without thinking about the last few days of term 2. So I am really sorry to the outstanding students who received these awards - not flash on my part at all however they will be in the newsletter this week. I understand they were recognised by at the last assembly for the term so at least some people knew.

CHANGE
I must say that I take my hat off to learning team 3. They have had to move out "lock, stock and barrel"( I am into using cliches obviously) from their rooms and shift to a new area whilst the remodel of the main block has begun. They did it so easily and if you could see how well they have set up their new environments you would be suitably impressed. Learning Team 2 however have shown how adaptable they can be by ignoring all the activity going on above and beside them. When you look at the way the main block looks from the South side at the moment you might start wondering how it will ever possibly be finisheds- I guess that is the thing about demolition, you do have to get rid of the old to make way for the new. I know there will be lots of people really pleased to hear we are completely replacing the locker bay and toilets and addressing the really noisy and unsafe stairwell. It will be well worth the wait.

Don't you just love term break!!

I do. Except this year I felt a bit of a fraud as I had had my trip overseas and sabbatical so I really was ready to go back to school. Fortunately I have had one or two distractions to prevent me from creating heaps of work for other people next term. One thing I love about term break is you get the freedom to work when you want where you want so working at home away from the noise of the builders was really good and as the power, water and heat was little unreliable I felt quiet guilt free. I also had the added issue of my home computer being out of action so I was really forced to think about how we used to do things before computers.

I have spent time with my family and friends and even had my two nephews up to stay over the school. They love Timaru and rightly so because it has so much to offer; a good crisp climate in the winter, great resources on our doorstep like skiing, skating and just being active. They know all the really cool places to go like the skate park, the Scenic, the board walk and really enjoy "shooting hoops" at school and playing on the playground. They both spent quite a lot of time climbing one of my trees and determining the best way to build access and a hut. The other thing that kept them on their toes and rather challenged, was my new addition. I am now the proud owner of a Jack Russell puppy called Flynn. He is now nearly 10 weeks old and is still learning a lot ( and so am I) about what to do and not to do. I can see that my life has changes substantially and I will now need to adjust a number of my habits for him. He is very cute and of course I think he is rather intelligent but I guess that is the usual bias showing. I can't help but I have included a photo - you will see what I mean when I say he is cute!!

I am sure somewhere along the way you will get to know him quite well.

This term looks to be an exciting one with the challenge of coping with all the building going on and the changes this has meant, the ERO visit, skiing, skating and Student learning conferences and of course we have simply getting on with our learning.

I can't wait till Monday when everyone turns up so pleased to be back, yes kids (and Parents) really do like school and the staff well they never sleep well on Sundays anyway because their heads are so full of everything they want to happen in the next week, this is worse on the eve of a new term. I hope you are ready for Term Three and all that it brings, I look forward to catching up with you all.