The Catch Up Page:

Mia's beautiful ANZAC art.

June and Chloe were inspired after Whānau Time recently and spent their morning tea collecting rubbish without being asked. Our Whānau Time focus was on caring for "Our School."

Meela made me some beautiful ANZAC decorations.

Soon, Meela will compete at the Global Games in Hawaii with her cheerleading gym. This is an awesome opportunity for her, and one we’re really pleased she can be part of. The team has shown a great deal of dedication in their training, and the experience of competing internationally will be hugely beneficial for Meela.

These four boys plus Dylan Brown - at right above -  are all first-string members of Kelston Boys High School First 15 this year.

From Left: Max Talbot, Za Schramm, Flynn Talbot, Noah Hollands, Dylan Brown.

That is one-third of the first fifteen first team from Western Heights - pretty awesome. Mr T played his part in their journey, though he would never claim that himself. We are very proud.

While at my conference, I met Minister of Education Erica Stanford. She seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing and why, but more importantly, what we are facing as educational challenges. I was very respectful, but also very clear that our staff are facing an ever increasing load, exponential change and a broadening and deepening of their roles and expectations that is causing very concerning burn-out.

She texted me late Saturday night saying she would like our conversation to continue and will try to visit our school once the Budget - and repercussions - are done and dusted.