Welcome to our latest update of information and stories you may be interested in... Thanks to everyone who has been working to support our families affected by the tragic events in Christchurch. Everyone has done a wonderful job in being sensitive and responsive to our different communities, and recognising the values that are needed to overcome the ideas behind the attack. Please get in touch if you need any additional assistance, or if you have any ideas for the Association in relation to the incident and its aftermath. We will continue to discuss at Senior Management level, and among Senior Teachers, any changes or additions that are needed in our services. Mandy. 
Christchurch Tragedy Two Weeks On  Tairangi Kindergarten tuned into the Call of Prayer for 2 minutes silence. As kaiako and adults they respected the full impact of the meaning behind this. For the children they sat and held each others hands. After the silence broke, they spoke of their similarities and how they are different, but focused on the importance of celebrating and showing manakitanga towards each other. 
Those who were in the office on Friday gathered in Whare Manawa to observe the 2 minutes silence and watch the Call to Prayer on television. Click here to take you to a useful teaching and parent resource for dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy.
Staff Name Badges Please contact Chanelle at the office if you would like a name tag – these are optional and ordered in batches 😊
Evacuation Drills Following discussions with the NZ Fire Service there is now no requirement to complete the Schedule and Evacuation Drill form in GOSH. However, as with the previous process, the Fire Service Communication Centre must be called 10 minutes before the drill, on phone 04 801 0812. You will then complete the revised Report on an Evacuation form on the new GOSH.
Nicki Cook, Reliever Coordinator, on Leave Nicki, (coordinator for Wellington, Kapiti, Porirua and Horowhenua) is on leave from Wednesday 3 to Monday 8 April. This means for those dates kindergartens will need to organise their own relievers. We will send out a list for you on Monday 1 April. Please make sure you try the Itinerants first – this is important as we need to make sure they have work. If you already know that you will need relievers over that time please contact Nicki as soon as you can, so she can organise it for you, but by Tuesday 2 April at the latest. For relievers from Tuesday 9 April, Nicki will be able to organise them from the night of the 8 April. If you have any problems please call your Senior Teacher or the office.
Giveaway Day A Huge Success On Saturday another successful Giveaway Day was held at Nuanua Kindergarten. Giveaway Day is held once a term to support families in the Porirua community. It is an opportunity for people to give goods, including clothing, linen and kitchen items, to families who are supported by our Community Navigators. Thanks so much to all of you who donated items, it is very much appreciated. We will let you know when the next Giveaway Day is to be held in a future edition of the Kōrero.  
Health and Safety Committee 2019 The Health and Safety Committee (HSC) met for the first time in 2019, with some new committee members. The main functions of the HSC are: - to provide ways to ensure the association and staff have ways to ensure health and safety at work
- assist in developing standards and policies/procedures for workplace health and safety.
This group is made up of representatives from kindergartens, the association office and management. We meet once a term so If you have any issues regarding health and safety or would like to know more about what the committee does, please feel free to contact one of the members or email Lorraine.Coulston@wmkindergartens.org.nz Minutes from our meetings and dates for meetings are available on GOSH 
Logos The next lot of logos have been confirmed for our Wellington North kindergartens. They are amazing! 
ECE Reps On Teaching Council Manawatu Kindergarten teacher Lorraine Carr has been elected to the Teaching Council by early childhood teachers following the recent elections. Lorraine, a former primary teacher, is acting head teacher at Parkland Kindergarten which is part of the Ruahine Kindergarten Association. Victoria University Associate professor Jenny Ritchie has been elected to the teacher education position on the Council. Jenny, a former kindergarten teacher, has a strong background in early childhood education with research and teaching interests in the Treaty of Waitangi and how to give effect to its commitment in ECE, as well as sustainable development. Clair Edgeler, professional services manager at Beststart, was elected to represent early childhood sector leaders on the Council. Her background includes working in kindergarten and private centres. The turnout for the elections was reportedly low. It’s the first time teachers have had the opportunity to elect representatives for several years.
White Supremacy In The Classroom Recent discussions about racism in New Zealand society have prompted some articles about the role of education in countering racist attitudes, and the reflection and change that is needed to be successful. Here’s some hard-hitting words from renowned Auckland educationalist Ann Milne who has spoken at Whānau Manaaki conferences recently.
Downs Syndrome Through The Eyes Of One Of Our Families Last week World Down Syndrome day was celebrated. One of our Owhiro Bay Kindergarten families shares their journey with their beautiful daughter Frankie. You can read the story here. 
Teachers At East Harbour Kindergarten Celebrate Their Silver Enviroschools Status East Harbour is one of a number of Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens in the Enviroschools movement, which is about long term action to improve the environment starting with children and young people. Enviroschools is a long term reflective action based programme that supports a Māori perspective. There are three stages on the journey – bronze, silver and green gold. The teachers thank all their families and others who have supported the kindergarten to reach the silver phase. 
Multi Cultural Day At Irmgard Ritchie  
Patt Goes Along For The Ride! The children at York Street Kindergarten loved pushing kaiako Patt around on the bike. Wonder where they were off to?? 
Otaki Kindergarten Gear Up for Farewell Sadly Carolyn McKenzie is leaving Ōtaki Kindergarten. Carolyn has asked for her farewell to be held with ngā tamariki, whānau, colleagues and friends on her last day. Otaki Kindergarten team are planning a morning tea on 11 April at 10.30am. All welcome! Many of you reading this, of course, will be unable to attend due to work commitments! But we're sure you'll join us in wishing her the best for the future. Carolyn is waiting hip surgery and is already looking forward to her recovery and return to teaching in a relieving role. Carolyn has worked at Ōtaki Kindergarten for 3 years and prior to that at Taitoko Kindergarten for 5 years. She has also worked in the private sector. She's been an early childhood teacher for over 33 years.
Research Assistance Required Are you interested in helping researchers learn more about how babies communicate? We have been asked to assist a University of Auckland PhD student, Kirsten Sharman, with her research on New Zealand babies’ communication when they are around one year old. Learning how to understand and use language is one of the most important things babies do in their first few years of life. Nearly everybody learns at least one language, but researchers still have many questions about how this happens. One thing they do know for sure is that parents and whānau have a big impact on babies’ language development. Kirsten is looking for parents, caregivers and other whānau members who look after babies aged between nine and twelve months old, can speak English, and are willing to take an on-line survey about how they interact with baby and how baby communicates back. Kirsten’s survey should take about ten minutes. All participants get the chance to go into a draw to win one of two $100 supermarket vouchers. Please let your families know about this research and give them the link if they are keen to be involved. Click here to take Kirsten’s survey on your phone, tablet or computer. If you have any questions about Kirsten’s research, please do not hesitate to contact her at K.Sharman@auckland.ac.nz.
This Week On Facebook   Silverstream Kindergarten have started their own pet wall! The children have been bringing in photos of their pets.
Titahi Bay has their own aeroplanes! Great excitement today when Ruby's Dad, Regan arrived with the aeroplanes for kindergarten....they are awesome!  
A number of kindergartens have been having their Wheel-a-thons. Here Karori Kindergarten children are enjoying their day.
Handy Facebook Pages  Sustainability trust Sustainability Trust helps people to create warmer homes and reduce their impact on the environment. Click here to go to their facebook page.
Appointments And Resignations Congratulations to the following on their recent appointments: | Heke Niu | Teacher | Fanau Pasifika | | Anne Simpson | Teacher | Toru Fetu | | Michelle Mortensen | Head Teacher | York Street | | Phillipa Wilson-Jackson | .6 Teacher | Papararangi | | Hepe Toomaga | Part time relieving teacher to September 2019 | Pukerua Bay | | Melissa Kingi | Part time relieving teacher to September 2019 | Pukerua Bay | | Samantha Gray | Relieving Teacher to August 2019 | Tai Tamariki |
We wish all the best to the following who have resigned: | Christine Macilquham | Teacher | Titahi Bay | | Jeannine Reid | .7 Teacher | East Harbour | | Moira Harris | .4 Teacher | Lyall Bay | | Yvette Crichton | Administrator | Churton Park | | Cathie Parsons | Teacher | Churton Park | | Carolyn McKenzie | .4 Teacher | Otaki | | Tracey Minshull | .5 Teacher | Upper Hutt |
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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