We were fortunate to receive a grant from NZ Community Trust of $18k to upgrade our sandpit and add Core boards (a board that offers images for ākonga with diverse needs to communicate) to our sandpit.

We would like to thank Andrew Georgeson from ACG Property Services for completing the upgrade and NZ Community trust for enabling this upgrade to happen.

Our tamariki wanted access to water and Andrew added a water feature including a pump and functioning tape to the sandpit kitchen. We see the tamariki engaging in the area now every day! On the back of the kitchen sink there is a magnetic board that the tamariki can create a water / marble track, a cupboard for storage and a great access pathway.

We have also utilised mulch from our back fence upgrade to line the plant area as well.

For many years, ANZAC Day has fallen during the school holidays, which means we aren't able to share the importance of this day together. During our literacy programme the senior classes learnt about Lieutenant Colonel William George Malone.

Last week, Rākau and Māhuri rooms learned about the bravery and mana of Colonel William Malone. On Thursday, 23rd April, they walked to the Malone Gates, past the Cenotaph, and to the Hall of Remembrance. They shared their thoughts on why knowing about Lieutenant Colonel Malone helps us remember the past. 

Leigh, one of our year 6 boys in Māhuri room wrote, “What I like about the walk is that I saw the photos on the wall, it made me think about how young they were. I also liked the Malone Statue and the tank. I saw so many crosses and I love how they served to save our lives.”