Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki

Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki
Welcome back to a new year in our lovely kura. Our goal is to be a locally based school that partners with and is supported by our local community. Everyone who knows us and the last 2 decades of the school's history remarks on the exceptional local community who are a central point for our development and growth. The community is changing in terms of housing and we are now part of the intensive housing projects that have developed across Christchurch City since 2011. We thrive on our close relationships with whanau and local organisations who want to be a part of our journey as a school. Generosity is the key word that we see in action every day to make life better for our tamariki. We do have high expectations for learning and behaviour. Our achievement data over the past few years has been amazing and this is a direct reflection on the relentless work of our kaiako to deliver great teaching programmes every day. Our teachers work closely together and they cross check planning and data. That's why we made it to the Gazette in 2024. We are child development/attachment based and our staff is well trained in how children's brains develop and how we can build amazing relationships with the children in our care. There's a lot of laughter and fun in the classrooms (and in our office with The Fab Five) every day . Please make a point of stopping for great coffee on Friday mornings and take the time to connect with other parents. Haere mai. Welcome to our little corner of paradise

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Hangi 2026

 It's all on today. Roy Keneally, Janice Krammer, Jorja Te Hau Pauline Dumbleton and the team of volunteers have been flat tack since Tuesday preparing veges, meat, salads and desserts for our school hangi.

This is a massive event for our school and for the community. Our staff reorganize their day and their evenings to make sure that everything is ready and that whanau are welcomed. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve our school whanau and I know that they appreciate what we do.
















Swimming Sports

After rain delayed play last week, we were all on yesterday. It is a huge amount of work for staff and volunteers, but they do it gladly and with no fuss. Several people commented on the smooth running and the kindness of both staff and older students to make sure that everyone had a chance to participate. Watching the change in water confidence over this season and then seeing the children develop swimming styles and strokes, and a competitive spirit, is really rewarding. I appreciate every whanau member who thanked the staff for their mahi.















 

Monday, February 16, 2026

Student leaders 2026

 Leadership is a huge responsibility for grown-ups let alone for children.

Each year we select a small group of potential leaders and under the expert guidance of Whaea Libby, they are coached and mentored into service and tuakana teina roles in the school.

We watch them make mistakes and grow over the year and we treasure the way their personalities develop. It's the little quirks that make them so different and special.

Best wishes to our new team of school leaders. We are going to love working with you.

Juiet

Max

Reuben

Rik

Matai

Emms

Molly

Poppy

Kyra

a little madness


Thursday, February 12, 2026

2026 Off and running, biking and swimming

 Triathlon Triumph

If you thought that we were off and running last week we are literally off and running, biking,and swimming in week 2. It was fantastic to see so many whanau at school supporting their children. We had very few no-shows from our students and nearly everybody gave triathlon a go. It is a challenging event and it’s fabulous to see our school values in action.If you want  examples of Attitude, Adventure and Achievement, there they are.  Maybe next year Coast to Coast (I did hear a local radio announcer say this morning that he had just received a text from a local listener saying “I’m just confirming that I am not competing in the Coast to Coast for the 44th year in a row.”)


A standout for me was the way that our new leaders and some of our senior students supported other students. They were like old souls cheering them on, encouraging them and helping them. We talk often of the values of whanaungatanga, awhingatanga and manaakitanga and they were right there front and centre. As always some of the staff ran with the children to make sure that they could be included.  Despite the contrary weather it was a truly heartwarming day. Congratulations everybody. Excellent organisation from the Sports Team and all of the staff.


Yikes colder than I thought




Are we all ready and set?