Hey thanks people. As we come to the end of the 2018 working year, we can look back at 2018 and feel proud of the positive difference we have collectively made to children’s lives and to their whānau’s lives. You have worked incredibly hard to ensure children’s learning experiences have been many and varied. Regardless of the role you play in the Association, whether it be as teachers, builders, administrators, Navigators, drivers, accountants, senior teachers, you have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and worked to ensure children and whānau are supported. Many of you have faced your own personal challenges and heart ache, and it’s a tribute to you and your colleagues that you have been supported and that you have supported others. To those of you who are leaving us, we wish you only good fortune in all that you do. To those of you who are returning in the new year to either the current role you have, or a new role in the Association, enjoy your break, and let’s look forward to all that 2019 may bring – you rock! Xoxo Mandy. 
Payroll Please forward any payroll amendments for Friday 21st December by 10am tomorrow. We need to stick to this timeframe in order to get the first pay in January finalised and confirmed before the office closes tomorrow. Anything received after 10am on Friday will be processed in the pay of Tuesday 15th January 2019. Just a reminder that the office is open from 3rd January, however there will only be a skeleton staff as many people will be on leave, including the payroll team. Only urgent queries will be able to be responded to. If you have an urgent query about your pay please call the main office number and tell Reception you have an urgent pay query, or call Karen on 021 857 826. Otherwise, you can leave a message on the payroll number and someone will get back to you after 7th January.
End of Year Infocare Cut-Off - Reminder Just a final reminder of key timeframes. It’s that time of year again when we have to close off Infocare for the end of month and term (and year!). As with normal month end requirements can you please ensure that the following is completed in Infocare by 3pm tomorrow: - Sign in sheets marked in Infocare (actual attendance)
- Fee invoices (for the week ending Friday 21st December) created and committed
- Staff timetables (“staff hour count”) for the week ending Friday 21st December completed
- Online sign off of your monthly roll return
- Any ratio, attendance or roll issues are communicated to the Association (please call Cathryn or Tania)
If your support staff are unavailable to work tomorrow can you please ensure arrangements are in place so that this deadline is met – this may mean that these tasks need to be completed by Teaching staff before the cut off. Payments Processing over the Christmas Break: Due to staff absences at the Association over the holiday break there will be changes to the timing of the weekly Association payment cycle. Payment of invoices will occur as follows over the coming weeks: Invoices received at the Association by Wednesday 19th Dec Paid on Friday 21st December Invoices received at the Association by Friday 4th Jan Paid on Wednesday 9th January Invoices received at the Association by Friday 11th Jan Paid on Monday 14th January Please ensure that regular suppliers to your kindergartens are made aware of these payment timeframes. Also, we’d encourage you to get all your December invoices emailed in prior to 21st December so we can arrange prompt payment for you. During the coming weeks all requests for urgent payments should continue to be emailed to accounts@wmkindergartens.org.nz Fee Invoicing and Statements: The timetable for fortnightly fee statements being issued to families over the coming weeks is as follows: Statements for fees up to Friday 14th December Distributed Thursday 20th December Statements for fees up to Friday 28th December Not Distributed Statements for fees up to Friday 11th January Not Distributed Statements for fees up to Friday 25th January Distributed Thursday 31st January Kindergarten Reporting: Accounts for the financial year to 31st December 2018 will be circulated by Wednesday 23rd January 2018. As always your kindergarten accounts should be passed on to your Treasurers and Committees as appropriate. Infocare Lock Dates for 2019: Details of the Infocare Lock Dates for 2019 were included in the 2019 Administration calendar that was circulated last week.
Study Assistance Grant We are inviting applications (from Kindergarten Teachers and Support Staff) for Study Assistance Grants. Here is the policy which gives details about eligibility, parameters and timeframes. If you have any questions you can contact Karen Skett at karen.skett@wmkindergartens.org.nz or on 021 857 826.
Christmas Celebrations Around The Kindergartens  
The team at Raumati South have been protecting the environment and giving our tamariki the opportunity to get involved in the race to safe our planet! Here is a Xmas tree the team has been constructing with the tamariki using drift wood from their local beach. Each child was given a branch to add. They then decorated the tree, making creations from mulching the paper from the no-named art work and placing them into molds to dry. Just before they are dried Amanda added 2 flower seeds so that when Xmas is over the tamariki can plant them in the ground where the paper will biodegrade and a possible beautiful flower/s will flourish. They are tied up using harekeke; again creating a biodegradable way of hanging the decorations on the tree.  
 
Based on the philosophy of manaakakitanga, Pikopiko Clyde Quay and Island Bay Kindergartens have been working on giant advent calendars. In the spirit of giving and showing kindness to others the children decorated several boxes. Each day a different box is put out to collect items for Women’s Refuge and a different item is allocated for each day. A list was sent whānau earlier and a poster put up in kindergartens letting people know which item was allocated for the day. The communities have really got behind this initiative and reports back are that the children have really enjoyed picking out items to bring in. The teachers have really got behind it as well, taking the opportunity to talk with the children about what’s been collected at mat times. Families have contributed what they can with some bringing items every day! Last Friday the first week's collection was taken into the Women’s Refugee. The whole car boot and some of the back seat was full! The Women’s Refuge were really grateful and very surprised when they were told there would be more deliveries to come!  What an awesome 2018 Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten Christmas Celebration. After enjoying their picnic dinner it was concert time. Their tamariki did them proud with their waiata and kani kani. This was followed by an amazing siva-dance by the Foua fanau. They then had a very special visit from Santa. The teaching team wish to thank their wonderful families for all their support throughout the year, they are truly blessed to be part of their beautiful Kindergarten community.
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