Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families
Kia ora, kia orana, talofa, malo e lelei, fakaalofa atu, hello and greetings
From the Principal
I have spent the last few days in quiet reflection with the unexpected passing away of a close family member last week. It is an event like that, that makes you stop, and think about what is really important. With the festive season so close, it confirmed to me what the most valuable gifts that you as parents could give your children. They are priceless yet free, and ones that every parent can afford to give, but often don’t . They are your time and your stories.So please, if you want to do anything special this Christmas for and with your children it is this…
Tell your children where they come from, who their ancestors were and what their culture is. Tell them what their mountain is, and their river- take them there. Explain why and how their grandparents lived where they did. Pore over those photos in the box at the back of the cupboard- tell the stories about who the people are, what they were doing and why. Write names and dates on the back so that when the voices with those memories are no longer heard, their knowledge is still recorded. Share nursery rhymes, and those silly made up stories that Dad whispered to you as children at bedtime. Sing the favourite songs , laugh over the memories of when your mum did a cartwheel in the middle of the street, and embarrassed you so much., explain why that really hideous vase is still on the shelf, and who made the weird tinsel star that still gets hung on the tree. Make new memories, build sandcastles, go for walks, collect seashells and glue them together to make those shell animals that gather dust, bake cakes, and build huts. Sleep out in the backyard and count stars and look for the man in the moon.
The gifts of time and knowledge are the gifts that your children will remember and pass on to their children. They are the things that will allow your children to stand firmly and proudly on their own two feet, with their heads held high. They will last longer than the video game that is on trend at the moment, or the labelled tee shirt or box of lego. They are vitally important- so don’t leave it too late. Families come in all shapes, colours and sizes, and it is family and stories that keep us together and whole.
Key Dates for this Term
Accomplishments
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Congratulations
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CoL
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Reminders
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Helping Hands
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Community Notices
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We would like to thank Bayleys Wellsford for their sponsorship
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