Term 2 – Week 6: Newsletter – Birkdale Primary School

THURSDAY 1 JUNE

PRINCIPAL’s UPDATE

Tālofa lava Birkdale community,

I’ve just returned from 3 weeks of sick leave. Hopefully, that is the last major treatment I need to complete for a little while. Thank you to everyone who checks in and finds out how I’m doing. I’m doing well – feels great to be back at school and get some normal routine back.

Please read below for some important updates.

Tōfa soifua

Whaea Natasha

TEACHER NEGOTIATIONS

Teachers paid union meetings went well. They will vote on their decision now and will decide whether strikes resume or the contract is accepted.

Principal negotiations are still continuing but our industrial action has been paused while they continue.

COLOUR RUN

Wow – what a fundraiser. We appreciate the effort many of our families have put in to help the school raise nearly $14,000. For such a small school, this will help us immensly, particulary for things we wouldn’t normally want to spend our operational funds on.

Well done to all our fundraisers, our spot prize winners and to Pūkeko who raised the most funds.

PROPERTY UPDATE

Playground: this is due to be started in the next school holidays. We are getting a new playground installed as well as new surfacing and getting rid of the old bark.

COLA: The Covered Outdoor Learning Area is due to be installed very soon. There have been delays due to supply issues. But this should be completed before the end of Term 3.

Watch this space…

Heatpumps: due to start this year. Installed through every teaching space in the classroon

Durham Hall: Is due for a face lift. We will be getting quotes for repainting inside and replacing of the old toilets.

SCHOOL WHĀNAU MEETINGS

In Term 3, we will be wanting to hear what you, whānau of our learners, have to say about a variety of issues.

All schools will be writing their new 3 year strategic plans and deciding priorities to focus on for the next three years. We want to hear what you think are key focus areas for our school and our students learning.

Keep an eye out for dates for these meetings and please take the opportunity to get involved.

SCHOOL VALUES, VISION AND MISSION

Using feedback collected from our familes last year and this, our students, we’ve come up with our draft School Vision, mission and values. Thank you for letting us know what learning and values your family hold as important.

Our Board of Trustees have approved the direction and work done so far, so we will be using them as a base to begin work on a graduate profile for our students.

Click here to read our draft

ROAD WORK AROUND SCHOOL

Road work will be happening on Salisbury road for the next few weeks. They are making permanent some of the temporary road markings they have had over the past year, including a speed table for the crossing which we can’t wait for. The speed some cars travel around our tamariki walking to school and crossing the road have been very fast.

While they work on the road, Salisbury will be reduced to one lane operated with lights. Please avoid u-turning to avoid the lights as well as parking in front of the school driveway. We know it can be frustrating – but would appreciate your understanding while the road is made safer. If you can carpool, walk or stagger your arrival times that would help reduce congestion before and especially after school.