Nau mai ki tenei wiki Kōrero. Some of us attended a very special event at Toru Fetu Kindergarten during the week, the launch of a new book, written and edited by some of our teachers and Senior Teachers. A big thank you must go to all of those involved, both leading up to and on launch day. It is fantastic we have so much creativity in our organisation. This resource is an absolute treasure; you can read more about the book below. Jane. 
Study Assistance Grant The closing date for applying for a Study Assistance Grant is today. We are inviting applications, in line with our policy, for a Study Assistance Grant. So if you’re studying to enhance your qualification for your job then you might be eligible for a grant. Read the policy here, which has the application form attached, and if you would like to submit an application (together with proof of the cost of your study) please email it to karen.skett@wmkindergartens.org.nz by today.
Twilight Giveaway The next giveaway for our families is being held on Friday evening, 6 March at Nuanua Kindergarten. If you have any goods you wish to donate to this giveaway evening we would appreciate them to be dropped off to us at the office throughout the week of Monday 2March. Donated goods could include clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, furniture and linen. We are always appreciative of the generosity of our kindergartens, their families and community. Thank you.
Coronavirus Affects Supply Of Laptops We have recently had word from the Laptop Company that there will be delays in supplying new laptops and computers due to the flow on effects of the coronavirus. As you will be aware factories across China have been temporarily closed to help prevent the spread of this virus. Therefore delivery times for IT equipment has been impacted. So, at this stage, our delivery times are up to 10 weeks, this may change. Please keep this in mind when you are placing orders for your laptops. If, however, you have an urgent IT issue, please contact Tania, at tania.braybrook@wmkindergartens.org.nz As mentioned in previous Kōrero, we are continuing to monitor developments around coronavirus and working with other agencies to ensure we are keeping on top of any changes.
Staff Sync Reliever App Training We are continuing the roll out of training for Staff Sync (app for co-ordinating relievers). This app is already used in some parts of our organisation. It is really important that all relievers attend the training because it is the systems we will using for booking relievers from Term 2. We know, like any change, there could be some hiccups along the way so please let us know if you need further support or have any questions. We anticipate that there will be very little (if any) impact on teachers in Kindergartens, it will be Relievers and our Co-ordinators who will be using the App, we need teachers to support where you can. Our reliever co-ordinators have been provided with training and they will also be present where possible at the training days being provided. The schedule for the remaining training sessions is as follows: Region | Date | Times | Venue | Upper Hutt | 4 March | 3.00pm & 5.30pm | Silverstream Retreat Seminar Room 1 | Masterton | 5 March | 3.00pm & 5.30pm | Carterton Events Cenre Hurunui o Rangi | City South | 9 March | 3.00pm & 5.30pm | ASB Whataitai Room | City Central | 10 March | 3.00pm & 5.30pm | Toitu Kilbirnie NZCT Room | Levin | 16 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | Te Takare Education Suite | Kapiti | 17 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | Kapiti Pavillion | City North | 23 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | He Whanau Manaaki Te Puna | Porirua | 24 March | 12.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | He Whanau Manaaki | Catch Up Sessions | 30 & 31 March | 112.30pm / 3.00pm / 5.30pm | He Whanau Manaaki |
Catch Up Sessions The catch up sessions are for any relievers from Upper Hutt or Wairarapa that have not yet attended a training session, or who need a refresher. We will email relievers with the dates and details of the training, if you haven’t received this email by end of next week please contact Leigh.Comeskey@wmkindergartens.org.nz. We will send out this schedule to be displayed in the kindergarten for relievers. We will send out further details with the venue and asking you to RSVP to confirm numbers for catering purposes. Please direct any questions to trish.taylor-pope@wmkindergartens.org.nz We look forward to seeing you there.
Two More Full Year Kindergartens Two more kindergartens are moving to full year operation. Gonville Kindergarten in Whanganui and Moira Gallagher Kindergarten in Porirua East will become full year kindergartens from April this year. This offers more choice for families, with some full year options in each region. It brings the total number of full year kindergartens in the Whānau Manaaki family to 32, with more expected to transition during the year.
New Book In Pacific Languages Whānau Manaaki has moved into a new venture, with the launch of a picture book in seven languages at Toru Fetu Kindergarten this week. The book “I am going to school” was edited by Caroline Mareko and Andy Cairns, with Chanelle Huia-Rutten providing the photos. It features four-year-old Atanise Marsters Lotomanu who attends Toru Fetu Kindergarten, and her extended family. It is in Māori, Cook Island Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Tuvauan, Niuean and Tokelauan. A set of books will be made available to every kindergarten later this year. There is a shortage of books in Pacific languages particularly for the smaller Pacific communities in New Zealand, and this book will help fill the gap. It is designed so that teachers and families can easily read it to children. Caroline Mareko says starting school can be an anxious time for children and parents, and the book can help prepare for the big day. “We wanted to show the experience as positive and happy for children and families.” Maraeroa School in Porirua East also features. Caroline says the publication could open the door for publishing books featuring other cultures. “There’s a shortage of literacy materials for young children in different languages. It’s also important for children to see their community and their experiences reflected in books." Children from Toru Fetu and Nuanua performed at the launch, where Reverend Falkland Liuvaie blessed the book. Community members and teachers who helped with the translations were also thanked. 
Creekfest 2020 Creekfest is an annual event, started in 2004 at Cannons Creek Park, Porirua, to raise awareness of programmes and services available in the Porirua region to achieve better health and well-being outcomes.
Creekfest offers a platform to health, education and social service providers to showcase their programmes and services. Over the years the organisers have seen some innovative methods to attract attendees into service provider tents which sets the scene to deliver serious key messages to a target audience in a fun environment.
Once again there will be a team representing Whānau Manaaki. The team have an early learning tent set up and will be running early learning activities. Creekfest 2020 is on this Saturday from 9am to 4pm at Cannons Creek Park. There are some amazing artists performing, so pop along, visit your colleagues at the early learning tent and take in the festivities.
Awatea Invite You To Their Brainwave Trust Presentation 
Do You Know Anyone Who Might Want To Become A Toni - Help Spread The Word 
Next OMEP Meeting 
Ottalie Shines In Waiouru Ottalie is currently teaching at Waiouru Kindergarten in the Central Plateau. She was asked by our Marae Manager, Aaron Morrison, to represent Waiouru Kindergarten at the Purple Poppy Day Service, with her horse Gracie, at the Waiouru Military Camp. This special day was in remembrance and recognition of all the animals that have served and are still serving in the Defence Forces. It was so fantastic to see Ottalie alongside our local community, representing our kindergarten and being a part of our wider Waiouru community. 
To Give Away South End Kindergarten have two of these music shelves, which are free to a good home. They would need to be pick up from the kindergarten in Carterton. Please make contact with the kindergarten directly. 
Previous Kōrero Editions If you are wanting to access previous editions of the Kōrero you can find them at www.wmkindergartens.org.nz/archive or you can click here. It is a good idea to save this link as an icon on your desktop.
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