Kia ora parents, caregivers and students of Coastal Taranaki School,

We warmly welcome the following students who have recently started at Coastal:
- Dredyn Scouller, Year 4
- Oliver Kemsley, New Entrant
- Jack Putt, New Entrant

2012 Junior School Pre-Enrolments
In the last couple of years we have been very pleased to enrol many more students into the New Entrants class than we had previously planned for. We receive excellent information from our early childhood providers (Sophia Preschool, Okato Playcentre, and Kaitake Kindergarten).

In 2010 our Year 1 roll reached 46; this year it will reach 50 by December 9. We had expected closer to 30 in each case. The Board has been able to manage by the redeployment of resources, but if we can be more strategic it would be very helpful. The pre-schools have provided a list of the students whose parents we understand to be considering enrolment as New Entrants at Coastal in 2012.

If you know of any four year olds who do not attend our contributing pre-schools, or if you want to confirm that a child is known to us, please contact Lee at the office.

New Staff Member for Term 4
I am pleased to let you know the Mrs Jemma Moorby has accepted a fixed term position as our second New Entrant teacher for Term 4. Welcome back, Jemma!

Whanau Support Group
The Coastal Taranaki School Whanau Roopu held its Term 3 meeting on Tuesday. The group has elected a Chairperson – Kurt Hikaka – who will also act as the Cultural Adviser to the CTS Board of Trustees.

The group exists to support all students, but especially Maori students, in getting the very best out of their school years through high engagement and high achievement in all they do. It wishes to support parents to help them work with their children, and to support the continuing development of a culturally inclusive and responsive school.

The school is involved in a Ministry of Education initiative known as He Kakano – the seed – aimed at raising Maori student achievement, and the roopu will be able to provide input to the Board and staff so that the Ministry’s goal of all Maori students succeeding as Maori can be realised.

It will also support initiatives which enable all students to be comfortable with ‘walking in all worlds’ and especially enjoying our bicultural heritage. A year or so ago discussions were held about the possibility of establishing a whare wananga or even a whare nui which students, parents, kuia and kaumatua could use to make it easier for all to ‘connect’ in our common purpose. Such a project could be managed by a strong roopu.

If you are interested in learning more, adding to the scope of the group’s vision or just going on the e-mail loop, please contact Kurt or Matua Chris Luke at Coastal Taranaki School. The Term 4 hui will be held early in the term.

Thank you to all who support the pursuit of the school’s vision. Coastal Taranaki School students work purposefully in a particularly safe and supportive environment and this is because of the commitment of students, parents and staff. A special thanks to the Year 8 parents I have been speaking with recently for your input and affirmation of the contribution Coastal Taranaki School is making to ensure that your children are confident, connected, actively involved lifelong learners.

Kind regards,
Allan Miles