Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki

Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki
Tēnā koutou e te whanau. This is my 16th year as tumuaki of our lovely kura. I am one-eyed when it comes to providing the very best education for all of our tamariki, strong connections to whanau and applying attachment theory so every child has a champion adult at our school who believes in them unconditionally. I just can’t see past it. Our kaiako and kaiawhina go the extra 50 miles to give our children the best chances to succeed. My family is number one. After 20 years of camping holidays in Kaiteriteri, Graham and I are recidivist “glampers “ and ready for new adventures in our latest caravan. It’s brilliant when our family joins us too.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Water Only

Yup that's us, but not as much as I thought it was. We were made to look better than Snow White and a rival to Mother Theresa. We are warts and all, a learning school. I took for granted that what we had insisted on at the start was still what was happening. My debrief with our lovely staff revealed muddled messages and our parents felt the same way. Uh oh. So, back to the drawing board. I have to refuse my OBE, Gold Star, and Damehood because we have a toughening up, cleaning  up, facing  up to do.
I'm not a fan of nanny state control or bans. I am a fan of parents making sound choices for their children and of all of us working together. Our stance is nothing except water, and sponsored milk when offered.
Am I opposed to treats? No way! So sometimes there will be special occasions at school and I'm relaxed about that.
Our PTA, bless 'em are also rethinking what they want to promote.

Please, please, please do not send flavoured drinks, fizzy, sports drinks or juice to school.
It's all very well being involved in a water prank but it has to be deeper and more meaningful.
We have always encouraged water only.
Please be aware that if you do send juice etc. to school it will be taken off your child and sent home, if they remember to collect it after school. 
We are a Milk In Schools beneficiary and many children enjoy cold milk a couple of times per week.

Please work with us to make this a reality. I have no problems with having to review practice and finding egg on my face because I don't see myself as a guru.Egg is apparently a great face mask anyway. I'm as good as the people around me and quite frankly, they are all awesome.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Year 4 Camp

I love attending camp with the staff and children because we get to see the children in another light. It never ceases to amaze me that some of the children who are anxious in their every day approach to life and challenges are often the ones to take on the most adventurous challenges on camp.
The sound of children and adults laughing together is a magic combination.
The children took on everything from climbing to the top of the Leap of Faith at Clip 'n Climb to plunging their hands into a bucket of gelatinous goo that had two dead squid in it, to pull out papaer clips to see who could make the longest paperclip chain. They performed skits, undertook team challenges and took on risk to make this a great camp.
My heartfelt admiration goes to our teachers Jared, Natalie, Lucy and Kayte who organised the days and spent time away from their families again to make this happen. Our parent helpers were magnificent as always and very genetrous with their support and encouragement, and their baking!













































 

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Wedding Belles

One thing we know how to do well is to celebrate the good times for others.
Libby -May got married in January and Lucy marries at Eater.
We wanted to share all of our collective wisdom about marriage and give them some gifts to brighten the day. I think that the giving of wisdom was grossly over rated, but it was a joy to share our love and blessings with them
Congratulations to Lucy and Libby -May on taking the next step in life's large adventure.