By Sharon Keen | Posted: Wednesday May 29, 2019
We realise this week has become a difficult one with the strike day and the Tōtaranui Community of Learning 'Staff Only Day', we appreciate your support.
The Staff Only Day was planned at the end of last year and we have speakers organised and so it is an event that is difficult to change, all of this was well before we knew of the strike action. However we do appreciate the many messages of support staff have had over the strike. Pay is one issue but the real day to day problem facing schools across the country are attracting and retaining quality staff, a problem amplified by the lack of Learning Support available to our schools.
In saying this, I have to say we are extremely fortunate at Casebrook with the dedication and willingness of staff to take on extra duties. On Friday nights we have three staff involved in Waterpolo and another three at Basketball, all outside of normal work hours and that is not factoring in practice times. Plus as many of you will be aware there are many other extra curricular activities that just happen.
This year we had the best turn out ever to our Student Conferences. This is a time to discuss what your child is doing and together develop future goals, a factor so important to the success of our young people. You are always welcome and encouraged to come into the school as often as you are able.
Congratulations to all our students who received a Gold Casebrook Challenge badge at the Friday Celebration Assemblies. The Casebrook Challenge is set up to be home friendly. You can complete challenges around your family life and create your own challenges if you have a busy out of school schedule. We would expect your child to earn a Gold Badge at least two or three times a year.
Please check our term calendar as there are many events in the next few weeks and if at any time you have questions or concerns please contact us. We aim to make the two years at Casebrook as memorable as possible for your child.
Nāku iti noa
Sharon Keen
Principal