End of Term 2, 2024

You may or may not be aware that Tinwald School is part of a a cluster of schools and early childhood centres in Ashburton who work together as a collective to build capacity and capability in improving teaching and learning practice known as the Hakatere Kāhui Ako.

We extend our congratulations to Miss Monique Reay for her recent appointment as an Across School Lead for our Kāhui Ako.  In this role, Miss Reay will be focused on supporting the early childhood centres within our Kāhui Ako with their transition processes into our local primary schools.

Because the role comes with classroom release in order to accomplish goals for the whole Kahui Ako, we are also pleased to welcome Mrs Tania Rive to our team of Tinwald teachers.  She will teach in Room 2 for two days a week.

A huge thank you to our Tinwald School staff, our tamariki and our parent community as a whole for the support and understanding shown to me as I learnt more about the role of Principal and the many and varied tasks that contribute to running a primary school.

Thank you for your undersatnding when we had challenges to face and thanks especially to those who made an effort to come and express their gratitude for the efforts we make every day to support and care for our Tinwald tamariki.

I would like to express my thanks to those who regularly stepped into roles to ease some of the pressure points and to Mrs Digby for stepping into the Deputy Principal role.  I am grateful to Mrs Harris for her knowledge of our school and her help with many of the administration tasks which were new to me.  A huge thank you to Mrs Stacey Brown for manning our office when Mrs Harris was away. 

Thanks also to Mrs Lesley Millar as our Learning Support Co-ordinator for working closely together with me and support services to help families/tamariki in need. Thanks as well to our wonderful team of Teacher Aides who work in many varied ways both in and out of the classroom, with groups and one-on-one with our children.  Appreciate your mahi.

Finally, thank you to our Board of Trustees and to Mr Peter Livingstone for their trust and support over the first two terms of 2024.  I am so very pleased that Mr Livingstone took the opportunity of a sabbatical and know he has made the most of his time away.  He returns refreshed and ready to lead us all for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.  Welcome back!

Kindest regards

Sue Wakefield (Deputy Principal)

I am sure you know and understand that wet weather brings its own unique challenges.  Inside lunches and play day after day are not much fun for anyone.  We do endeavour to get the chidlren out into the fresh air as much as possible on these days.

Wrapping up warm to brace the cold weather is neccesary to stave off illness so it is great to see so many children with appropriate layers of clothing including warm jackets.

Our uniform remains simple and affordable with the royal blue top and plain black bottoms (skort/shorts/trousers).  Thank you to everyone adhering to this.  Please make sure all items are named and keep labelled clothing for the weekend.