Nau mai ki tenei wiki Kōrero. And so we come to the end of yet another term – many of our teams will continue to offer wonderful programmes for children through the term break, but acknowledging the end of a term is an important thing to do. This past term you have again done wonderful work – thank you. This weekend marks the beginning of Daylight Saving, and so we all get to celebrate having extra daylight time at the end of our work day. Time to wind down and maybe do some gardening or go swimming, or just have a barbeque tea with those we love. It’s so important to acknowledge and celebrate the stuff that helps us to feel good. Thanks to all of you for the work you do and the stuff you do that makes others feel good. xoxox Mandy 
For Whanganui Staff
Please click here to find the latest update of Mahi Tahi.
Policy Updates Both the Child Protection and the Excursions policies have been updated on the website. You can access them here.
Policy Reviews You can click below to go through to the next policies to be reviewed. Please have a read and forward your comments or other feedback to Jane, jane.braun@wmkindergartens.org.nz, by the 18 October.
Pay Increases For Teachers The pay increases for teachers who are union members will be paid in the next pay, on Tuesday 8 October. People who were union members on 12 July 2019 will receive back pay to that date. Others, who have joined since then, will receive back pay to the date they became a member. The Ministry of Education is going to publish an Individual Agreement early in October for teachers who are not members of the union. As soon as we receive this we will send it to all non-union members and ask you to sign it and send it back to us. These teachers will receive the new pay rate from the date they sign and send their new IEA. If you have any questions please contact Karen Skett on 021 857 826 or at karen.skett@wmkindergartens.org.nz
Survey for Mentors of Provisionally Certificated Teachers (PCTs) We are seeking feedback and suggestions from Mentors about our programme for Teachers/Head Teachers who are mentoring PCT’s. Most of the questions are related to recent workshops, although we are also interested to hear about how we can improve our support for Mentors, so if you haven’t attended a recent workshop but still have some feedback or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Thanks to everyone who has already completed it. For those yet to complete it you can click here to access the survey. If you would rather have a conversation around your feedback please either contact Lynette or your Senior Teacher – we want to give everyone the opportunity to share their thinking around their mentoring role.
Kāhui Ako - Communities of Learning We are working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education to support kindergartens to be actively involved in Kāhui Ako networks. Trish Taylor-Pope (who was the General Manager of Whanganui Association) has responsibility for growing this work within Whānau Manaaki. Trish has developed positive working relationships with Ministry of Education Kāhui Ako Co-ordinators and this is facilitating a consistent and co-ordinated approach across our network. So, if you are thinking about joining a Kāhui Ako, and/or collaborating with schools on transition or supporting children’s learning, or if a school approaches you, please talk with Trish in the first instance and she will support and guide you through the process. Trish can be contacted on 0274535802. Please get in touch with Trish if you have any questions or are unsure about anything.
Storypark PLD - Engaging Whānau  3 October 9.30 – 12.30 at WMK Porirua Office We are really pleased that Amanda Higgins, from Storypark, is facilitating this workshop, exploring how we can support whānau to engage with Storypark. (some of you may remember Amanda as the Head Teacher at Campbell Kindergarten). The following is a broad overview of what the workshop will cover: - how teachers can encourage parents/whānau to engage, including suggestions for questions to prompt whānau responses to and engagement with, learning stories
- how to add voice comments to learning stories
- sharing feedback from Storypark’s recent parent survey - what are parents asking for?
- supporting whānau to add their own stories
- using the reporting function to find out information about whānau engagement
- ideas for using the Kindergartens' community space on Storypark effectively.
Amanda is also planning a question and answer session as part of her workshop. She is happy for you to come with your own questions around whānau engagement and about using Storypark. Please enrol on HR.Net asap. If you would like to consider accessing this workshop via the internet please contact Lynette on lynette.wray@wmkindergartens.org.nz
Induction and Mentoring Seminar  Tuesday 1 October 2019 9.00am – 1.00pm Venue: Whanau Manaaki Head Office in Porirua We are looking forward to seeing all Provisionally Certificated Teachers and their Mentors at our final Induction and Mentoring Seminar for 2019. It is expected that all provisionally certificated teachers (PCT’s) attend as it is a required part of the Induction and Mentoring programme. Teachers who hold a Subject to Confirmation Practising Certificate (STC) are very welcome to attend too. Please enrol on HR.net as soon as possible so that your enrolment is confirmed (we need numbers so that we have enough food, chairs and resources for everyone – thanks) If you do not have an HR.net login yet, please contact Hannah at the Association office, who will help you with this: Hannah.Toomaga@wmkindergartens.org.nz The programme includes: - Working with Whānau and Community
- Leaderful Practice – what does this look like for a new teacher?
- Introduction to the Induction and Mentoring Programme for new PCTs/STCs and new Mentors
- Gathering and discussing evidence for your Induction and Mentoring programme
Please contact Lynette (lynette.wray@wmkindergartens.org.nz) or your Senior Teacher if you have any questions or queries.
Finance Update Infocare Cut-Off and Ministry of Education RS7 Reporting Just another reminder for you about month end Infocare requirements – we have to report “RS7” information about your kindergarten to the Ministry of Education for the current funding period (1 June – 30 Sept) by Friday 4 October. All of the information we require is generated from your enrolment and staff timetable information in Infocare, so we need your help to ensure that all of this is completed as soon as possible. With tomorrow being the end of term, for most kindergartens, we require you all to have your Infocare records for the end of the week completed by end of day tomorrow. This means we would like you to complete the following tasks in Infocare, up to and including Friday 27 September, as appropriate: - Sign in sheets marked in Infocare (actual attendance)
- Fee invoices (for the week ending 27 September) created and committed
- Staff timetables (“staff hour count”) for the week ending 27 September are completed
- Online sign off of your monthly roll return
- Any ratio, attendance or roll issues are communicated to the Wellington Association Office (please call Tania or Cathryn 04 232 3069 or 0800 546 337)
Please let Tania know if you do not think you will be able to complete this on time. For Full Day kindergartens and those other kindergartens that are open during the term break the above Infocare tasks need to be completed by 5pm on Tuesday 1 October (noting that you will need to finalise Infocare for the last day of the month, being Monday 30 September). Many thanks for your help with this.
ECMENZ Hui A number of our teachers enjoyed sharing in some great learning at the ECMENZ hui. EC-Menz is the New Zealand based national network for men in early childhood education (ECE). It was founded in 2007 as a network of men and women dedicated to highlighting the many important roles men play in the early childhood education sector in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Membership is open to both men and women. A highlight of the hui was a presentation from our very own Andrew Willans (in the photo below - a teacher at Johnsonville West Kindergarten) who shared experiences and expertise around working with children and fire (in many forms). Andrew has been involved with the Scouts for many years and explained some science, safety tips and tikanga around its use. He also shared some steps for facilitating a sandpit fire pit inspired by an individual child’s interest and planning. His overall message: Working with fire in the kindergarten context takes "considerable effort" but the numerous benefits for children's learning make it well worth it. If this is something you are keen to pursue at your kindergarten have a chat with your Senior Teacher to ensure you have covered all your health and safety responsibilities. 
Part-Time Teachers Network Part-time teachers are invited to come to a network hui at the Johnsonville Community Centre on Wednesday 2 October at 1pm. We will start with a shared lunch, so bring some kai if you can. The hui will go until 4pm, you are welcome to come for some or all of it. All part-time teachers welcome. Please enrol for the hui on HR.Net. If you have any queries email debby: debby.king@wmkindergartens.org.nz See you there!
OMEP  Organisation Mondiale pour l’Education Préscholaire World Organisation for Early Childhood Education OMEP is an international non-governmental organisation founded in 1948 and active in more than 50 countries. Its primary objective is to share information and initiate actions to benefit young children everywhere. Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens has recently subscribed to the Wellington OMEP Chapter as a super group. This means that any Whānau Manaaki employee can attend any monthly professional development workshop run by OMEP for the reduced price of $5. Just let the sign in desk person know that you work for Whānau Manaaki. OMEP meetings are held: Every third Monday of the month from February to November Te Rito Maioha / Early Childhood New Zealand Wellington Teaching Base Ground level 193 Thorndon Quay (opposite the Bordeaux Bakery) 6-7.30pm with light refreshments provided.
Whānau Manaaki Calls For Action Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens has called on the government to honour its promises over funding, as part of the campaign for 100 per cent qualified teachers. Here’s what our CEO Amanda Coulston had to say: “The former National government cut our budgets by 14 per cent, and despite Labour’s promises this has not been restored.“ “Labour MPs and candidates, including the current Minister of Education Chris Hipkins, visited our kindergartens and signed a pledge to restore the funding” says Ms Coulston. Here’s a link to the full release. When your kindergarten takes action as part of this campaign, post it on your kindergarten facebook page and email korero@wmkindergartens.org.nz 
Measles Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens is looking at its processes in the light of the recent measles epidemic, with a programme underway to look at how we collect and record data and how we engage with families and health providers. In the meantime the advice remains the same about immunisations. The recommendation is that staff be vaccinated, if they have not previously had a vaccination, and they are not in the group that are considered immune, that is over 50 years of age. If you have a confirmed case of measles at your centre contact your Senior Teacher and Regional Public Health. Here’s the latest information from the Ministry of Education in its early learning bulletin: The number of confirmed cases of measles in New Zealand continues to grow. Measles is a serious, highly infectious disease that is potentially life-threatening. It affects everyone: babies, children and adults.
Children with a confirmed case of measles, or displaying symptoms of measles, must not attend early learning services.
HS26 Response to infectious illnesses
HS23 Response to infectious illnesses
Symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, red eyes and a runny nose, and sometimes small white spots on the back inner cheek of the mouth. A rash develops after about three days. Parents should contact their doctor for advice.
Waitohi Kindergarten Waitohi Kindergarten in Johnsonville, in the new library and community hub building, features in the latest Ministry of Education early learning bulletin. Click here to check out the article.
AKA Rejoins NZ Kindergartens  Auckland Kindergarten Association has rejoined New Zealand Kindergartens, which will strengthen the combined voice of the kindergarten movement. The Auckland Kindergarten Association is the largest association, with 107 kindergartens as well as five playgroups and four early learning centres. Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens is the second largest, with 101 kindergartens, two homebased networks and several playgroups. The AKA left the national organisation 25 years ago. New Zealand Kindergartens now represents 25 of the 29 kindergarten associations around the country. Robin Houlker, who chairs the AKA board, says it’s crucial that kindergartens work together so that we continue our proud history, and are around in another 100 years. “We need to speak with a combined voice to government. We have huge support in the New Zealand community, and we need to make the government understand that we need more money to continue to operate as a professional service, with 100 per cent qualified teachers.” Robin hopes the Auckland Kindergarten Association can be an example to some other associations, to become part of the national organisation. She cites a whakatauki: Hapaitia te ara tika pumau ai te rangatiratanga mo nga uri whakatipu Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations.
Healthy Heart Award Lansdowne Kindergarten has just been awarded a Silver Heart Award and a nationwide Most Active Day Award from the National Heart Foundation. There was a presentation of the two awards at the kindergarten, with visitors from the Heart Foundation. Well done Lansdowne Kindergarten! 
Marae Visit For Irmgard Ritchie 
This Week On Facebook  The kaiako at Wanganui East set up a bridge under their verandah, surrounded by lots of mats, to explore jumping and leaping. The tamariki had lots of fun experimenting with different types of jumps. It’s wonderful to provide opportunities for exploring movement that is so much fun. 
With the rugby world cup starting it is no surprise that the tamariki at Brown Owl Kindergarten are fascinated with rugby....again! Great to see them getting behind the All Blacks. 
The tamariki at Manaia Kindergarten spent time this week working together on their shark puzzle. 
For Sale Waikanae Kindergarten have these shelves that they are no longer using. If you are interested in these, for a koha, would you please contact the team and the kindergarten directly. 
Churton Park Kindergarten have the following art rack that they would love to rehome for a small koha. They are also after a rectangular water trough if anyone has one that they no longer require. (They are happy to exchange for the art rack or to give a koha for a water trough). 
Appointments and Resignations Congratulations to the following on their recent appointments: | Nicky Van Dam | Head Teacher | Pukerua Bay | | Pheobe Henderson | Senior Head Teacher | Island Bay | | Liam Murphy | Teacher | Moira Gallagher | | Kim Gavin | .8 Teacher | Paremata | | Vicki Leahy | Administrator | Raumati South | | Lisa Faye | .5 Relieving Teacher to April 2020 | Doris Nicholson | | Sue Knipping | .7 Relieving Teacher to July 2020 | East Harbour | | Tamsin Hill | .4 Relieving Teacher to April 2020 | Otaki | | Alisi Ramacake | .5 Relieving Teacher to end of Term 3 2020 | Tui Park |
We wish all the best to the following who have resigned: | Andrew Willans | .6 Teacher | Khandallah | | Kelly Rogers | Teacher | Island Bay | | Jade Briggs | Administrator | Northland |
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