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Ko te Mana te Mea Nui Honour Above All

! Ph 06-3876860 Fax 06-3876129 Email office@waiouru.school.nz Web www.waiouru.school.nz Ruapehu Road, Waiouru Issue 4 December 5th 2013
!! ! Kia Ora Everyone, Our year is finally drawing to an end and this will be our final newsletter for the year. I would like to begin by giving a very personal thank you to the entire Waiouru Community, on behalf of my husband and myself, for all of the support you have given us during this difficult time. Everyone has been so understanding while I have been so sick with this pregnancy; the kind words, and offers of support and advice have been very much appreciated. Next year, all going well, I will take the second half of term one off to have the bundle of joy, and will be back on deck at the start of term two. Petra will take over as acting principal during this time, spending two days in the office and three in her classroom. Rachel Wallace has confirmed that she will provide Petra with this release time. Now down to the big stuff - teaching staff for next year. As many of you know, Kelly Fogden is leaving us next year for a new adventure in life down in Wanaka, we wish her all the best and are all slightly jealous of her new rather fancy location. The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce, after a very thorough appointment process, that Miss Stacey Buchanan will be joining us in the New Year. Stacey is currently an experienced teacher and team leader at Taihape Area School. She is an avid sports person, netball in particular, and will be leading the school next year at our sports co-ordinator. Stacey will be popping in to meet the kids on Tuesday next week. Now here is an exciting surprise from the Board. The Waiouru School Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that it will be dedicating a significant amount of it's reserve funds towards a fifth full time teacher. The Board acknowledges that Waiouru School is growing, and that our classrooms have become very big over the last three terms. The Board also believes, wholeheartedly, that small classrooms are best for our children. Smaller classes mean more one on one time with your teacher, more quality time towards quality learning. As it stands, the Board would like to inform you that this decision is only sustainable for one year. However, we can make this a long term decision with your support in two ways, 1) support through our annual fundraiser, The Desert Gala and 2) continue to encourage our local kids to attend their local school. Before army postings, our peak roll was 96 students, if we can get to 101 students we will be given more teacher time which will reduce the cost to the board. Anyway that's enough of my politicing, back to business. Carie Webb will be joining us next year as our fifth teacher. Many of you know Carie already as she began her teaching career with us, and has been looking after Piwakawaka while Mrs Corbett has been away. So the make up of the school will be as follows: New Entrants - Mrs Corbett; Year One - Carie Webb; Year Two and Three - Cath Donaldson and Rachel Wallace; Year Four and Five - Stacey Buchanan; and Years Six, Seven and Eight - Wendy Bell.

Cath Donaldson will continue to provide the Reading Recovery programme and Whaea Margie will continue her English as a Second Language support. Well that's all of the big announcements for this year, we will keep you informed through our Facebook Page and school website if anything comes up. Have a happy and safe holiday Ka kite ano, Marama

Mufti Day Tomorrow Gold coin donation to help raise funds for the Phillipines Last Day Of School 13th December Closing at 12.30pm 2014 Office open Monday 27th Jan School starts Tuesday 28th Jan