Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou

Ka ora ai tātou katoa.   Tīhei mauriora!

2018 has been a great year, but it has also had its sadness.

We farewelled "KaariamaiPapa De Theirry who was a special little girl who was dearly loved in our kura.

“He putiputi kua katohia i te māra a Tāne”
 She will be sadly missed and continue to hold a special place in our kura.
 

We have had much to celebrate throughout this year as well.

We have looked at ways in which we can build better partnerships with whanau and held some highly successful events to support that - including our first winter light festival, and record numbers to student learning conferences and Runanga Matua.

Behind the scenes  we have rolled out changes in the way we report that will mean smaller more frequent assessment information being updated on your child’s profile throughout the year, and a greater opportunity for students to share the work they are proud of.

We have redesigned the website and will go live with that next term.

The build for our new two class space has been started and we have been assured of another two to come.

Publicly we have had many successes -  academically, sporting, through our strong environmental kaupapa, our performances and our kapahaka… Tamariki Toa as most of you know has again won a place at the national primary schools competition and will travel to Hamilton next year to compete.
In the last two weeks alone we have seen performances by  the magnificent Tamariki Toa, our amazing choir, ( who have  joined Tamariki Toa and our band to put out a record this year … actually a peanut pendrive,... to showcase their skill), and our year six divas - who performed Super Stan to sell out audiences.

Privately we have had so many more  successes and they are reflected in each of our students... in the challenges and learning achieved this year.

Kia rewa rawa - we have indeed aimed high  - and succeeded.
 

 We have done that as a team and I want to gratefully thank  our Staff - the kaiako  ,and their amazing support workers; in the office – Judy Michelle  and Anne who keep the ship moving

 Our talented musos – Tanya and Bryce and technical support Roger,  

 Val in the Library,  Sheryll  with  all her sports organisation, Brenda for her before school club and Tony our caretaker…

Particular thanks must also go to our Board of Trustees - and to Damian who has agreed to pick up the mantle of Board Chair.

To our hardworking Community support group, runanga matua, our Chaplain John, Big Brothers and Sisters, our Karena and our highly skilled HPP volunteers -   and finally to each of you , for the part you have played in supporting our kura, through words and actions.
Thank you.

Especial thanks to some people that will not be part of our team next year  who are off to other jobs in other schools and workplaces-

I acknowledge Dr Bradley Hannigan who has tendered his resignation from the Board recently. Bradley has given faithful , wise service to this Board of Trustees over more than six years and we have appreciated his knowledge and dedication to our school on behalf of all our tamariki. 

To Ashley, Sophie, Donna, and Bernie we thank you for your mahi and the commitment you have given to our tamariki this year and we wish you well in your ongoing careers.

To Ellie our intern from Germany, who is returning home.

To Whaea Shev, who starts her maternity leave today… We can’t wait to see you back with baby!

To Jean who is embarking on a well deserved retirement we wish you every possible happiness.

We will miss you all!
 

To our Year 6 s.

We are all very proud of your achievements this year . You have been wonderful tuakana -role models - fulfilling a wide range of services within the school.

Continue to act with integrity  and passion- Doing what is right even when no one is looking, and doing it well. You will continue to be great ambassadors for Nelson Central School and your families.

Finally to our  returning tamariki and their whanau ….

 We know that you will continue to grow and shine next year, and we look forward to that with great excitement to see what unfolds.
 

On behalf  of all the team here at Nelson Central School we wish you all a joyous Christmas and a lovely safe  time with your families this Christmas.

Pip Wells 
Tumuaki