Nau mai ki tenei wiki Kōrero. We are having another induction day at the office today. It is wonderful to welcome so many new people to our organisation. We hope they go away from today feeling the good vibes from you all. Jane. 
For Whanganui Staff Click here to view the latest update of Mahi Tahi. Click here to view the updated roles of the Whanganui Office team.
O A’u O Le Samoa 101 and 102 Whānau Manaaki in Partnership with Excel Pacific are proud to bring back its revised Aganu’u Fa’asamoa programme for beginners in Palmerston North, Porirua and Levin. This programme is delivered by Excel Pacific Trust. “O A’u O le Samoa 101” programme provides learners with relevant information about the values and practices of Samoan culture and language and how these might be applied to everyday life and for participating or contributing within family and community to those born and raised outside of Samoa. It is a beginner’s course for those seeking to gain a basic understanding of Fa’asamoa. At the same time the new ‘O A’u O le Samoa 102’ programme will run. The Palmerston North programme begins on the 8 September. Feel free to enrol and also encourage your families to enrol. The other two locations are scheduled for November. Check out further information here and if you have any questions you can contact Danny Mareko at danny.mareko@wmkindergartens.org.nz
Are Your Rolls Low? 
Plunket Team Visit Newtown Newtown Kindergarten invited Chris Rice and Lou Ayling from Plunket to talk to them about the B4 School Checks - statistics, common themes and concerns around health messages that come up for families and whānau. Teachers from Wellington South and Berhampore joined them, everyone gained some valuable insights and information for themselves and to share with their communities. Chris said that she'd be happy to arrange another meeting if any other teams were interested. Chris can be contacted at Chris.Rice@plunket.org.nz 
MP Visits Waitohi Kindergarten Last week, Ohariu MP Greg O’Connor, visited Waitohi Kindergarten in its new premises in the Waitohi Community Hub in Johnsonville. Head teacher Anne Masterton took advantage of the opportunity to stress the quality education the kindergarten provides, the importance of 100 per cent qualified teachers, and why the government needs to fund this properly in the interests of children and families. Greg also took the chance to look around the new facilities and meet families and children. Most of us don't have a new building to show, but it is important for kindergartens to build and maintain relationships with local MPs so they know the importance of the work we do and the need for it to be properly funded. List MPs in your area are also worth contacting. Most MPs are keen to visit kindergartens. If you need help contacting your MP, or help working out what to say when they arrive, there is a lot of information on Storypark, in the toolbox section. You are also welcome to contact Jenny at the Whānau Manaaki office, jenny.davies@wmkindergartens.org.nz 
Are You Wanting Relieving Work? 
Whānau Manaaki Office Staff Negotiate Collective Agreement A new collective agreement for Whānau Manaaki office staff who belong to the union has been agreed, after negotiations with NZEI Te Riu Roa. Fifty people are employed at the Whānau Manaaki office, although some such as Senior Teachers are covered by the Kindergarten Teachers Collective Agreement (KTCA). Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens is the only association to have such an agreement, and it is possible other associations will follow our lead. 
Office Staff involved in the negotiations and ratification of the first ever Kindergarten Office Collective Agreement.
Free Sustainability Education opportunities for ECE teachers -15th and 29th August Enviroschools, with the support of Upper Hutt City, Hutt City and Greater Wellington Regional Councils and Common Unity Project are offering this workshop and networking opportunity: Exploring place-based and te tiriti-based journeys - 29th August If you are interested in Exploring place-based and te tiriti-based journeys, Te Awa Kairangi ECE Sustainability Network this session will be held on Thursday 29th August, 3.30pm at Cottle Kindergarten, 117 Thackeray St, Trentham, Upper Hutt. Paparārangi Kindy and Peninsula Community Kindy will share their journeys exploring their place. Please RSVP here to help with planning and kai.
Children Benefit From Stable Housing New research from the University of Otago reinforces the importance of stable housing for families. The research shows moving house has a big effect on young children, and is associated with social emotional and behavioural difficulties. Lead researcher, Kim Nathan, studied more than 300,000 New Zealand children, and 69 per cent moved house at least once in their first four years. “Every additional residential move was related to an increase in difficulties, including problems with hyperactivity and inattention, and the ability of pre-schoolers to form relationships with other children.” Ms Nathan says New Zealand households are highly mobile compared to other countries – and families with young children move around the most, which is stressful for children and parents. “It is important to understand the implications of moving house so that support can be given to children, particularly around the time they start school,” she says. The research findings were published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Here’s a link to the full article.
This Week On Facebook  
Handy Facebook Pages  Follow your local MP’s!!! We love to get our MP’s involved and their pages can be a great source of information 😊 
Appointments And Resignations Congratulations to the following on their recent appointment: | Pam Satherley | Relieving Teacher to May 2020 | Aramoho | | Amanda Poynter-MacLennan | Teacher | Gonville | | Megan Hurlimann | Teacher | Barsanti | | Debs Turchie | Teacher | Te Puna Ako Ki Totara Puku | | Janine Brownie | Head Teacher | Moira Gallagher | | Veronica Rule | Teacher | Paremata | | Pene Pokoati | Head Teacher | Titahi Bay | | Catherine Cameron | Teacher | Kahurangi | | Sarah Talbot | Administrator | Tawa Central |
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