Nga mihi nui koutou Welcome back for the start of Term 2. I trust that your children have enjoyed their break and are looking forward to the new school term. I would especially like to welcome all new families who have joined us and Mrs Jay Patel and Miss Jaimee Pollock who have joined our teaching staff. They will both be working in Ara Tiena teaching children in their first year of school. This reflects the continued growth that we are experiencing in the junior area of our school. As we welcome new staff it is also time to say farewell to Ms. Roi Maguire. She will leave us at the end of week 5 to take up a new position teaching Te Reo at Pomaria School. Ms Maguire has contributed a great deal to Arahoe during her years with us, especially with our kapa haka group, sports and as a member of our Maori leadership team. At the end of this term both Mrs Wade and Mrs Janz will also be taking long term maternity leave so our appointments panel has plenty of work to do. Arahoe Mud Run This term our major fund raising event will be the Arahoe Mud Run which will be held on Sunday 3rd May. Many thanks to all who turned out this weekend to begin the course preparations. It is promising to be a big day, for young and old alike. The course is designed for all ages so it is time to brush off the gym gear and christen it in the field. We already have a number of teams ready to go so don’t leave it to long to your friends and family organised. You can check this event out further on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ArahoeMudRun Shaping the course; volunteers help prepare the course. Many thanks to Kevin Dwyer, a past-pupil for loaning us his digger for the day. Holiday Progress During the holidays the shade sail for the new sand pit area was installed and I am hoping that we can get the sandpit ready for children to enjoy over the next few weeks. I know they’re looking forward to it. If you have any unwanted maritime artefacts that you think would help to ‘dress’ our sand pit then I would love to hear from you; fishing nets, buoys, anchor chain, drift-wood would all help to bring this little piece of foreshore alive for the children. Lest We Forget ANZAC Weekend This coming weekend is this first time that Anzac day has been’ Mondayised’ which means that school will be closed next Monday 27th April and you will all be able to enjoy an extra sleep-in. Tomorrow afternoon we will be commemorating ANZAC Day at a special service in front of our poppy wall beginning at 1.00. Please feel free to join us. Did you know that you can link with relatives who served with the New Zealand forces in World War 1 through the ‘Shadow Battalian’. Kind regards Richard Limbrick Principal