New Zealand’s principals and primary teachers have voted about what to do to get government action to address the years of underfunding and under resourcing that schools have faced.
Teachers did not accept the Government’s latest collective agreement offer because we consider it did not begin to address the crisis.

Through their union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, teachers are asking for:

•   Smaller classes, so children can get more one-on-one attention

•   More resources and staffing to adequately support children with additional learning needs – this will benefit all

  children because teachers will be freed to spend more one-on-one time with every student

•   A significant increase in teachers’ salaries so that they are properly valued for their qualifications and

  responsibilities, and as a country we can recruit and retain teachers.

  Principals and teachers have therefore voted for an unprecedented second strike, to be held the week after next. There will be nationwide rolling strikes over a week, and our region will be striking on TUESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER.
  As all of our teachers are union members, the Hokowhitu School Board of Trustees has decided to close the school on the 13th November.

  The Board and our staff recognise the inconvenience of this, but sincerely hope that you support our cause as we make a stand for better conditions for your children.
  For more information, please go to http://campaigns.nzei.org.nz/time/.

  If you require care for your child/ren on the 13th November, aPlus (out of school care) can be contacted on 06 357 5583.

With our annual Christmas Carnival coming up (12th December) the PTA are asking for assistance with any of the following things - a recipe or idea for something suitable to cook/sell for dinner on the night, offers to loan us a gazebo, a rice cooker, a crock pot, an offer to help out with serving at one of the food stalls etc.
Please help if you can - our PTA are busy parents just like you - they deserve our support as their fundraising benefits ALL children at our school.

Welcome to Term 4 everyone and a very special welcome to the 12 new students who have started at our school this term. We are confident you will all quickly feel welcome and happy to be part of Team Hokowhitu. If anything isn’t clear to you at any stage (we sometimes forget that new people are not always aware of things that we consider ‘usual operating procedures’) PLEASE ask us. There is no such thing as a silly question, just something that you are not yet familiar with. Don’t forget there is no school this Monday 22nd October due to the Labour Day holiday.

We also welcome Miss Stacey Tayler in her new role. Stacey has had a fixed term contract with us for the second half of this year (to teach in TKT last term and in TKM this term), however she has also been appointed to a permanent teaching position at our school from the beginning of 2019. Congratulations Stacey - it’s great to have you as part of our permanent team.

It is great to reflect on what has been an ‘action packed’ term - He Waka Eke Noa (We are all in this together). Highlights have been the hugely successful Major Production, the successes of our dance squads, the many successes of winter sports teams, the very well attended Parent Information evening looking at upcoming health programmes, the student- led Goal Setting evenings, the performance of our Mathex teams, students’ ongoing inquiries that have resulted in authentic outcomes etc, etc, etc.

None of these things would be possible without a TEAM effort. Indeed - Together Everyone Achieves More! I thank each and every one of my talented staff, I also thank each and every member of our school community/whānau who supports the school. Coaching/managing sports teams, transporting children, sharing your expertise or passions, showing an interest in your child’s learning - are all very much appreciated.