Welcome to our latest update of information and stories you may be interested in... Just a reminder to make sure you keep checking the PLD Calendar, both here and in your Outlook calendars, for updates to PLD and meetings. At times we do have to make changes so these two places will give you the most up to date information. Jane. 
Have Your Say On What Matters Most In Education Five thousand New Zealanders have had their say on the future of education in New Zealand. Are you one of them? The government is keen to hear from you, and it’s important that early childhood education is a priority in the discussion. The government particularly wants to hear from Māori, Pasifika and learning support communities. Take the short quiz here: https://conversation.education.govt.nz/ Maybe your team can all do the excercise during your team meeting. Encourage your families to take part, too. This consultation will help set the scene for the Education Summit meetings later this month. Four representatives from Whānau Manaaki will be attending, and several of our teachers are attending as representatives of other organisations (NZEI Te Riu Roa, boards of trustees, OMEP etc.) Here’s a video about the education conversation, featuring the Prime Minister.
Our Sector In The News Early childhood education has been in the news this week with many items highlighting poor practice and stress on teachers. The story began with a self reported survey on teacher injuries. On social media, many teachers have criticised the one-sided nature of the reports and possibly needless anxiety created for parents. Others have welcomed the fact that problems are being discussed and improvements such as better funding and ratios are being promoted. Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens hopes that the next budget will see some improvements to funding that should reduce stress and improve quality, and that the reviews currently underway will have an honest look at issues in the sector and lead to structural improvements, including recognition of the importance of qualified teachers. Here’s a link to some of the items: RadioNZ NZ Herald TV3
Senior Teacher Announcements Jo Cox Senior Teacher A very warm welcome to Jo Cox who has been appointed to the Senior Teaching team – congratulations Jo! Jo has been a teacher and then a Head Teacher in the Napier Kindergarten Association for a number of years, and has also worked with CORE Education to deliver PLD around Te Whāriki 2017. She brings a wealth of knowledge with her to this new role, especially her particular expertise in coaching and mentoring, leadership and Te Whāriki 2017. Jo will work across seven Kindergartens in the Whanganui region and with Betty Montford, Taitoko and Parsons Avenue Kindergartens in Levin; Jo will be supported by Senior Teacher Tania Jack. Jo will be attending some of the Regional Meetings and delivering PLD across the WMK regions, and I know that she is looking forward to getting to know you all. Raewyn McKenna A very warm welcome to Raewyn McKenna, who is a Senior Teacher for the Whanganui Kindergarten Association, but will also be working with two of our WMK Kindergartens. Raewyn is a part time Senior Teacher, and is also the Head Teacher at Te Puna Ako Ki Totara Puku early learning centre in Whanganui. She brings a wealth of knowledge with her to this role, especially her particular expertise in all aspects of working with infants and toddlers, and pedagogical practice. Raewyn will work across three Kindergartens in the Whanganui region and with Manaia and Lansdowne Kindergartens in the Waiarapa; Raewyn will be supported by Fiona Twaddle. Raewyn will be attending some of the Regional Meetings, and I know that she is looking forward to getting to know you all. We know that you will join us in welcoming them to the whānau! Exciting times ahead!
Full Year PLD Day May 5th 2018 - Spaces available! We have a limited amount of spaces available for all teachers for this wonderful full day of PLD! You do not have to be a teacher in a full day Kindergarten to be able to access this last minute opportunity!! We have an exciting day planned, you can find the kaupapa for the day here. If you would like to book a place, please contact Sharon before Saturday by email at Sharon.coulton@wmkindergartens.org.nz Please note that we will be starting promptly at 9.00 and coffee, tea, refreshments are available from 8:30am. Safe travels everyone and see you all at the Mana Cruising Club on Saturday 5th May!
Changes to Pasifika Learning Support Fono The Pasifika Learning Support Fono that was originally scheduled for the 23rd May has been changed to an earlier date of the 9th May. It will begin at 6 pm and will be held at Toru Fetu Kindergarten. All Pasifika teachers are encouraged to attend this workshop, with the focus on autism viewed through a Pasifika view point. Apologies for the date change but our presenter was unable to make the original date. This workshop may be presented again at a later date for non-Pasifika teachers working with Pasifika children if we think it could be useful. This decision will be made after attending this fono. Keep an eye on the PLD calender for updates as usual.
Induction and Mentoring Workshop A reminder for all PCT’s and Mentors. Please note that our next Induction and Mentoring workshop will be on Thursday the 12th July 9-3pm. Venue to be confirmed. We’re looking forward to seeing you all there. Induction and Mentoring Morning session 9-12 For PCT’s and mentors and other teachers. Introduction to the new Code and Standards for the teaching profession. Afternoon session 1- 2.30 For PCT’s and mentors only Educative mentoring for mentors. Sharing Induction and Mentoring folders. (please bring your folder along) PCT and Mentor reflection 2.30- 3pm
Finance Update Term 2 2018 Whānau Contributions Your families may be starting to ask about Term 2 requests for Whānau Contributions. Feel free to let them know that these will be emailed out later next week. Hard copies will also be delivered to kindergartens for distribution through “child pockets”. So that we have the most up to date information for our request letters can you please try and have all your children’s enrolment records in Infocare up to date by the end of day on Tuesday 8 May 2018. 2018/19 Kindergarten Budgets Thanks to all those who have emailed your 2018/19 Kindergarten Budgets by the due date. We still require those budgets that have not yet been submitted. Please email them to brendon.fyfe-gits@wmkindergartens.org.nz ASAP so your plans for spending are included into the 2018/19 Association Budget being prepared for the Board this month. End of Month Infocare Cut-Off A reminder that this week was financial month end and we have started working on our April Board and Kindergarten reporting. As detailed in the Annual Administration Wall Planner 2018, your Infocare records for this week are due to be completed by the end of tomorrow. This means we would like you to complete the following tasks in Infocare up to and including Friday 4 May, as appropriate: - Sign in sheets marked in Infocare (actual attendance)
- Fee invoices created and committed
- Staff timetables (“staff hour count”) completed
- Online sign off of your monthly roll return
- Any ratio, attendance or roll issues are communicated to the Association (please call Tania or Cathryn)
Tania or Cathryn will follow up with you on Monday, if they have any questions related to your records.
Keeping Our Website Up To Date Hi everyone, we are doing our best to keep your kindergarten website pages as up to date as possible! So if you have any new info or photos that could go up please send them through! Email Chanelle.huia-rutten@wmkindergartens.org.nz We are particularly after up to date team photos – if you are having difficulty getting a team photo let me know and depending on your location I’ll see what I can do to pop out to you and take one after session. Chanelle Logo Feedback All logo proposals have now gone out – with the exception of our Pasifika services and Tai Tamariki. Therefore I will be needing your feedback as soon as possible! If you could please have your feedback into me by Wednesday 16th of May, would be great! Then we can continue with the rest of the process and get your new logos and signage ready to go! Thanks Chanelle
Playground Audits  In the next month we will be beginning the next round of playground audits. Leanne Nelson, Jim Batty and Trish Thomsen will be undertaking these audits on behalf of the Association. You will be contacted by the person doing your audit prior to them visiting your kindergarten. Can you please ensure that when they do visit, all equipment that you would usually have in your outdoor environment is set up so they can get a good sense of what the outdoor environment usually consists of. Kindergartens will be able to access a copy of their Playground Audit Report a few weeks after the audit is completed If you have any questions, please contact Lorraine.Coulston@wmkindergartens.org.nz
Ukulele Group  A new ukulele group has started! Those members of the group recently attended the Ukulele Workshop. We get together the last Thursday of each month beginning 31st May 7.30pm-8.30pm at Petone Kindergarten. Nau mai Haere mai, Lou.
Storypark Support Term 2 This term we have decided to focus on supporting individual teams in getting the most out of Storypark. If you would like one of our Storypark Champions to work with your team around specific aspects of Storypark please contact Lynette, or one of the following people, who will arrange a time to support you: Julie Huffer - Wairarapa/Upper Hutt julie.huffer@wmkindergartens.rg.nz (Lansdowne Kindergarten) Sonya McIntyre - Wellington/Lower Hutt sonya.mcintyre@wmkindergartens.org.nz (Owhiro Bay Kindergarten) Amanda Dibley - Kapiti/Horowhenua amanda.dibley@wmkindergartens.org.nz (Raumati South Kindergarten) If you have been thinking about joining Storypark and still have some questions, or if your team is ready to join now, please contact Lynette lynette.wray@wmkindergartens.org.nz.
Strategic Teaching and Learning Plan 2018- 2019 (STLP)/ Curriculum Development Framework The templates for each Kindergarten's Strategic Teaching and Learning Plan (STLP) are available here and are being emailed out today. If you would like to use Storypark to document your work, you will find templates for the STLP in your Kindergarten’s Planning section. We will be talking through the process for developing your Kindergarten’s STLP at the Head Teachers Meetings over the next few weeks. The Curriculum Development Framework was emailed out last week and is also available here.
Leadership Hui Evaluation We really enjoyed the opportunity to touch base with everyone who attended the recent Leadership Hui. Here is a link to the very brief evaluation of this year’s Hui (we also sent a link to your individual work email - thanks to those of you who have already completed this). We’d really appreciate you taking the time to fill this in for us, as it does help us plan for future Hui… you can access the evaluation here. If you have any problems accessing/filling in the survey, please contact me (Lynette.wray@wmkindergartens.org.nz)
Hui For Teachers Who Work In A Part-time Capacity Teachers currently working part-time met over the term break to discuss issues and share strategies. It was a positive meeting, and matters discussed included how teachers are included in teams, how rosters are organised, space and computer access, how teachers can take leadership roles within their hours, teacher registration, and communication issues. Many teachers appreciated the opportunity to meet others in similar roles. The group has agreed to meet once a term, with all part time teachers welcome. The next hui will be advertised on HR Net. A Senior Teacher and/or Karen Skett, the HR Manager, will be invited to future sessions to answer queries and provide clarification. Many thanks to Debby King for her initiative in getting this started! Please contact Debby if you want more information Debby.king@wmkindergartens.org.nz.
Celebrating Pedagogical Practice 
Thank you to our wonderful presenters; Scott Marris and Sonja Murphy (Katoa), Jordan Strong, Rasela Simona, Kema Perez (Nuanua), Rowena Echano and Christi Garner (Irmgard Ritchie). It was a great morning of sharing practices. Check out the Teachers Toolbox, some of the presentations are available for viewing. There is another opportunity for teachers and teams to present at the October Celebrating Pedagogical Practice Workshop in Masterton. More details soon in the Kōrero. 
Making Transitions Matter Kia ora koutou katoa, Professor Carmen Dalli, from the Institute of Education at Victoria University, Wellington, is organising a free open public lecture from 5.00pm to 6.00pm on Monday 23rd July at the Kelburn Campus. Emeritus Professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop will be presenting on her research: ‘Making Transitions Matter’ – everyone is warmly welcome, please find more details here…..
Appointments and Resignations Congratulations to the following on their recent appointments: | Bridie Mawdesley | Teacher | Birchville | | Heidi Pibal | .625 Teacher | Matariki | | Bronya Baker | .8 Teacher | Miramar North | | Lauren Wray | Head Teacher | Newlands | | Sally Edgar | .6 Teacher | Owhiro Bay | | Aneesha Chaudhary | .8 Teacher | Petone | | Cherish Paul | Teacher | Petone Beach | | Julie Rickit | .8 Teacher | Tawa Central | | Pene Pokoati | .6 Teacher | Titahi Bay | | Trudy Sutcliffe | Teacher | Waitangirua | | Helen Tyrell | Senior Teacher | WMK | | Jo Cox | Senior Teacher | Whanganui Association | | Hongmei Wei | Relieveing .4 Teacher to July 2019 | Northland | | Karen Adams | Relieving Teacher to April 2019 | Petone |
We wish all the best for the future to the following who have resigned: | Bev Greene | Teacher | Brooklyn | | Clare Murphy | Head Teacher | Paremata | | Bernadette Ackland | .7 Teacher | Upper Hutt | | Carla Milroy | Teacher | Silverstream |
Our Taonga, Our Willow Tree 
Here at Irmgard Ritchie We have a grand old willow tree Its stands tall and majestically Its bark is as rough and gnarly as can be Its trunk is very big and wide Used for jumping or a ‘ride’. It’s a taonga amongst trees and been around for generation of families Many parents said they climbed it -what a thrill And are happy to see it here still. They come in and say That’s where I used to play. In the summer it shades us all And loses the shady leaves in fall It’s a treasure papatuanuku gave to us Its wellbeing to us she did entrust. that why we want to keep it well as oh, what tales it could tell. Its been threatened with a chainsaw, oh dear To see it down we just couldn’t bear We fight for it, we trim it, we fog it for pest We never want to lose- its the best Sitting on the branches of the tree gives us many a great photo opportunity. Children risk taking - its no fuss Its on the process we focus To climb and jump out There’s sometimes hesitation and doubt Then flying through the air to land safe and sound On the changing safety ground hearing the achievement yell “I did it” they proudly tell Very pleased happy smiles Gaining self confidence and self esteem by the miles. We so love our tree and hope it will be here for many a more a year So please everyone take great tiaki/ care. The tree is here for all to share. Lyn Baines. April 2018.
Una Williams Excitement! The team at Una Williams are so excited to congratulate Bex Thomas on the birth of her gorgeous wee baby boy Angus George. He was born on the 26th March and weighed 8lb 5oz.  
For Sale At Plimmerton Plimmerton Kindergarten have the following items for sale. These will need to be picked up. 2 kidney shaped tables, these can be joined together, $200 each or both tables for $300. 1 book shelf, $100. Please get in touch directly with the team at Plimmerton.  
Hot Tip  Ever wondered what to do with your empty plastic drink bottles! 
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