Dancing Like The Stars

We are so pleased to have Fleur back as our dance instructor. Our Years 5 and 6 children are learning their new dance for 2018 which they will perform at the Issac Royal Theatre in July.
Every year I am astounded by the patience and the skills of the dance tutors as they take the children through the process of learning a new dance. It's fascinating to watch the beginning steps and movements and track it through to the performance night. Some of our children have talents in dance and this is their time to shine.
Thank you to all of the dance tutors and to Dancing Like The Stars who sponsor this programme with the help of funding from across the city.

Board Retreat

Part of being on the board of trustees in our school, is that we undergo training so that we can be more effective in our governance of the school. I learn something new every time.
We are reminded that our job is always about what is best for the children as we look at what we currently do in the school, and our long term plans into the future.
The food was excellent (thanks Graham) and we had a lot of laughs too.
 Duane Major and Paul Ferguson were awarded long service certificates for their service to the West Spreydon School community. Congratulations for your loyalty, stickability and vision for the children and for being determined to have the school at the heart of a healthy local community.
If you are thinking about putting your name forward as a future board member please contact the school office. Everyone is welcome to attend a board meeting. Please understand that you are an observer of that meeting and have no speaking rights. You can learn a lot by sitting and watching.

Duane Major and Paul Ferguson receive their long service awards.

Waimokihi Kaitiaki: The Mother of All Clean-ups

Waimokihi Kaitiaki- that's us in partnership with Canterbury waterways and the local community board.
Each year Sjaan organises a fantastic learning experience for the children based around being kaitiaki of the Waimokihi. This area is culturally significant as it was once the place where Maori sent food down the river on flax rafts. Some of the food would have been sourced from this part of the river and the local area.
Sjaan talks about the long and short finned eels which are under threat because of the structures built on the waterways that prevent the eels from swimming up or down stream, and the impact of pasture run off and garbage in the stream.
The children collect the garbage and each year it is shocking to find what has found it's way into the local waterways.
The children are able to carefully handle the eels that have been trapped by Sjaan, before the eels are returned to the Waimokihi.
Once again The Right Honourable Dr Megan Woods made time to be present for this event. We appreciate Megan's genuine interest in our school and the local environment.

Annual Cross Country

Thanks to Rochelle and her PE team we had another wonderful morning of competition.The teachers were in the school early to mark out the course and run through the morning's events. The wind was very chilly but the children's cheeks were rosy as they slogged around the course. It is a tough run and it was absolutely precious to see that everyone tried and that when the body and mind flagged, that our PALs and School Leaders stepped in to support and run with the children.
There is fierce competition too as there should be and  there were several very close races to the finish line.
The children compete in their house colours and there were many variations on a theme. At least we have stuck to the primary colours and they stand out against the environment. 
Congratulations everyone, especially the winners.