Term 3 | Week 7 – Principal Update – Birkdale Primary School

FRIDAY 17 JUNE

PRINCIPAL UPDATE

Kia ora e ngā whānau

It was great to see some of you last Wednesday to discuss your dreams and aspirations for your children. If you didn’t manage to attend, please fill in this 3 question survey to share your thoughts

Click here: Whānau thoughts

Thanks to those who have already done it and offered to stay involved. We will be intouch shortly with an opportunity in a couple of weeks time, if you can make it.

Manaakitanga

In our house assemblies, we have been focusing on our school value ‘Manaakitanga’. Covid has been a disruptive time for your children and many of them have returned to school lacking the social skills to deal with conflict or negotiate problems in positive ways. I’ve spoken to a few principal’s who have seen similar patterns. This isn’t suprising considering the amount of time they’ve spent away from their peers during the formative years in which they would have learnt these important pro-social behaviours. Term 2 is the first time, in a very long time, where everyone has been onsite and in classes consistently. To address this need, teachers have been teaching lessons on what it means to show manaakitanga and what to do if manaakitanga is not being shown toward them. We have recognised students displaying manaakitanga consistently through our house point system, certificates and are proud to see the gradual shift in school culture.

We understand there isn’t a quick fix but will require a slow sustained effort toward improvement. However, we know if we get this right, our students’ learning will benefit. We would appreciate your help by reinforcing the concept of manaakitanga at home as well. Ask them how they showed manaakitanga at school or how someone showed it to them.

Ngā mihi nui

Natasha Teinakore

MATARIKI and EXHIBITION

This term our Matariki evening is back on. There will be some performances and we will be combining the evening with an exhibition of children’s learning called : ‘Mobility and Migration’. All classes work will be represented at this exhibition.

As well as the learning, Te Puāwaitanga will be fundraising by selling Hangi plates The school will also have other food availble to buy.

We are looking for connections to sponsership so we can get a stretchtent in case it rains. We would hate to cancel.

The evening will be in the last week of school so come along and enjoy a night celebrating learning and Māori New Year. More details to come!

Welcome Whaea Christine

Whaea Christine has joined our Birkdale whānau and is teaching in Tānekaha until the end of the year. We are so glad she chose us!

On Monday, Tānekaha and Māhoe ran a whakatau to welcome her to her class. It was a lovely example of Manaakitanga in action.

Board Elections

These are happening in Term 3. Information will come out at the beginning of Term on how you can find out more information and get involved, if you are interested in joining the Birkdale Board of Trustees. It’s a great opportunity to be a part of education.