Welcome to our latest update of information and stories you may be interested in... There are lots of great things happening in our kindergartens to read about. Jane. 
Conference 2018 - Panoni - Celebrate! Challenge! Change! We are getting ready to close off the conference survey so want to do one more big push! Thanks to those of you who have completed the survey through the link in the previous two editions of the Kōrero. For those of you that may have missed the link or who are yet to complete the survey you can access it by clicking here. Thanks so much, the information you provide is so important for helping design and put together future conferences.
PCT Admin Tasks Are you a PCT looking for the list of Admin tasks that are part of your Induction and Mentoring Programme? At the 12 July Induction and mentoring day there was a question about where the admin tasks for PCTs can be found. The admin tasks are on page 24 of the Induction and Mentoring Programme for Provisionally & Subject to Confirmation Certificated Teachers kit that is saved on the Teachers Toolbox on Storypark. All teachers have been sent an invitation to the Teachers Toolbox on Storypark. Even if your kindergarten is not yet using Storypark teachers can gain access to the Teachers toolbox by accepting the invitation sent to their individual work email. If you cannot find your invitation please contact Tania Jack and request another link.
2019 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Applications for the 2019 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust - NZ Fellowships are open. Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships assist New Zealanders to travel overseas, to visit other communities, to learn from others and study topics that will help them to increase their contribution to their community, and advance their trade, industry, profession or business.
Fellows return to New Zealand with new knowledge, skills, inspiration and networks to share and support development in their field. The Trust encourages a diverse range of applications from across Aotearoa, and note that travel must be undertaken in the 2019 calendar year. To read previous Fellows’ reports, visit the WCMT website.
This year, the Winston Churchill New Zealand China Friendship Society Fellowship will also be awarded. This Fellowship is in partnership with the New Zealand China Friendship Society and offers a specialised fellowship for travel to China to gain knowledge, understanding and experience of Chinese culture and values. It is intended for the benefit of an occupation, trade or profession, or to benefit New Zealand through the creation or deepening of New Zealand-China relations.
New Entrance for Johnsonville West 
Our new entrance way supports our philosophy, values and vision. When you walk through " you feel love" to quote the children and community.
Celebrations at Trentham! Trentham Kindergarten received an award recently, the Bronze Enviroschools Award, and featured in the Upper Hutt Leader. Well done team and children! 
This Week On Facebook   
Tui Park children making pare ei to celebrate Cook Island language week! 
Newtown Kindergarten got a visit from some chickens! Heihei and Pickles.  
Children at Nuanua practised scrapping coconut.
Bay Of Plenty Kindergartens Becomes A Living Wage Employer Inspired Kindergartens, in the Bay of Plenty, has become the first kindergarten association to register as a living wage employer. The living wage movement is a coalition of unions, faith organisations and community groups advocating for employers to pay staff a wage they can live on and take part in society as well as just paying the bills. It’s worked out regularly by researchers, and menas employees should be able to pay for their children to play sport, to go to a birthday party and afford a present, for example. The living wage is currently set at $20.20 per hour, and the move will give pay increases to administrators, cleaners and teacher aides employed by Inspired Kindergartens. Inspired Kindergartens operates 20 kindergartens and a home-based service. Principal Peter Monteith says the Association is taking a principled stand which it hopes will be followed by other education providers. “We believe that quality education requires that we value our people.”
Teachers Shortage In ECE With an increasing shortage of early childhood teachers, Te Rito Maioha is asking the government to make it easier for overseas trained teachers to come here. Te Rito Maioha/Early Childhood New Zealand which represents 400 mainly community-based centres is asking for early childhood teachers to be added to the skills shortages list. If early childhood teachers are added, it would be easier for qualified teachers to get work visas. Te Rito Maioha, which also trains ECE teachers, says there are far fewer students studying for early childhood qualifications, with the numbers dropping from 5235 from 2011 to 1765 in study in 2018. The shortage is particularly acute in Auckland, and Te Rito Maioha says current pay and conditions for teachers are a major barrier to study, and to teachers remaining in the profession. The Early Childhood Council, which represents mainly private centres, has also asked for early childhood teachers to be added to the skills shortage list.
School Teachers Set To Strike Primary teachers are set to hold a one day strike in a fortnight, but that may be avoided if agreement can be reached in mediation. Teachers have claimed a 16 per cent pay rise over two years, but most teachers are at the top of the pay scale and are being offered between 2.2 and 2.6 per cent a year for three years. Beginning teachers have been offered more than 14 per cent over two years however. Meanwhile, the teachers’ union NZEI Te Riu Roa has released figures showing that in 12 years time there will be a massive teacher shortage, but the Ministry is disputing that, pointing out the number of measures in place to increase teacher supply.
Tributes For Teacher NBA basketball star Steve Adams has paid tribute to a primary teacher in his autobiography, a reminder of the impact that teachers can have on children for life. Steve Adams grew up in Rotorua and went to Ōwhata primary school, where he had learning difficulties. When he was eight, Cara Walsh, now Cara Hurihanganui, was just starting out in her career. In his autobiography Adams wrote: "I'll always remember Miss Walsh, who taught me in my early days at primary school and knew I had trouble learning at the same pace as everyone else. She was one of the only teachers who managed to be patient with me and actually give me a chance." "She showed me that it's okay to ask questions and admit when you don't understand something... I always appreciated that she went out of her way to make me feel comfortable learning, as that was a big thing, especially at that time in my life." At our conference, Cam Calkoen also mentioned teachers by name who had encouraged him to believe in himself and made a lifelong difference. Cara Hurihanganui says she was surprised and humbled by the mention after almost 20 years. “I just followed my instinct …. I wanted to do the best I could do."  
Something For Everyone! Raumati South kindergarten is holding an awesome fundraising event, amazing prizes and amazing clothes to swap. If this sounds like a bit of you check out the details below: 
To Give Away Paparārangi Kindergarten have some puzzles that are surplus to their requirements and would like to donate them to other kindergartens. You can peruse the puzzles at WMK Office. They will be by Lyn Wright’s desk.
Bunnies Need A New Home A family have offered two bunnies free to a kindergarten who is able to take them and look after them. The bunnies are in Linden but can be taken to anywhere in the Porirua area, or they will need to be picked up if outside the area. The bunnies have grown up with babies and toddlers. They were born on the 27th November 2017. They are half minilop and half giant Flemish. If you are interested in rehoming these bunnies let Chanelle know at chanelle.huia-rutten@wmkindergartens.org.nz 
Upcycle Challenge 
East Harbour kindergarten used recycled pallets a few years back for their mud kitchen area. They worked on the designs and built the furniture at the carpentry table with children. Nice! What are you doing to upcycle? Remember we have our challenge underway!
Hot Tip  Do you ever wonder what to do with your emply plastic milk bottles? Here is a great idea for recycling them into something useful for the children to use in your kindergarten gardens. 
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