Welcome to our latest update of information and stories. We hope you found last week's Kōrero easier to navigate. We would love to hear your feedback so please do let us know what you think. Jane 
Senior Teacher Announcement A very warm welcome to Leanne Nelson who has been appointed in a Secondment position to the Senior Teaching team whilst Lyn Wright is taking a Secondment position at the Education Review Office - congratulations Leanne! Leanne joined the Association in 1995 and is currently the Head Teacher at Upper Hutt Kindergarten. Leanne also supported the Association by conducting Playground Safety Checks in Term 2 so many of you will have had the opportunity to meet Leanne in person already! Leanne brings a wealth of knowledge with her to this new role, and I know that you will join us in congratulating her as she begins this new and exciting journey.
Whānau Manaaki Kindergarten Association Men in ECE Group The next get together for the Whānau Manaaki Kindergarten Association men in ECE group will be held on Friday 29th September at the Arborist Rooftop Bar, 166 Willis Street, Wellington from 6.30pm onwards. We are hoping for some decent spring weather to celebrate (or lament) the election and kick back and enjoy some chilled vibes and some ales. Please pass the word around your colleagues, all are welcome! If you would like further information about the Men's Group or want to join their Facebook page feel free to get in contact with Adrian at Strathmore Park Kindergarten on 04 388 7180.
Upcoming PLD This following PLD will be held during the term break: What does it look like for Māori Children? Supporting Māori Children as learners. The purpose of this PLD is to build our capabilities to be more responsive to Māori children’s culture, language and identity. This workshop requires us to recognise what children bring to the context, their inherent strengths and also their traditions and history , their whānau and their whakapapa . Ahau Whānau Hapῡ Iwi – me within my whānau, within my hapῡ within my iwi embraced. Building a strong foundation of bicultural understanding will effectively aid the rest of your journey alongside our Māori tamariki. The workshop will be held at Te Rauparaha Arena on the 2nd October from 9am to 12noon and facilitated by Paula Hunt, Catha Ritchie and Lou Fruean. All teachers, PCTs and their mentors are encouraged to attend. Following that workshop will be an Induction and Mentoring Workshop. This workshop is part of the WMK Induction and Mentoring programme provided for PCTs and mentors. This term we are focusing on What does it look like for Maori Children?. The workshop will follow the morning session, held at Te Rauparaha Arena, 2nd October, 1pm to 3pm. It is for PCTs and their mentors.
Election 2017 - You Can Make a Difference? _25516_1.png) 
Last night Owhiro Bay kindergarten hosted a candidates forum at the kindergarten. All major political parties were represented and there were over 90 people in attendance. It was such a successful event, with a robust question and answer session canvassing all sorts of topics, both local and national. Thanks to our parent committee in particular Fiona Shearer for organising it and our own Timmy Porter for MCing. Overseas Voting Opens  New Zealanders who are living or travelling overseas can cast their vote in the general election from today. "Being out of the country doesn't mean you have to miss out on voting and having your say in the election," chief electoral officer Alicia Wright said. About 53,000 people are were currently enrolled with an overseas address, with the highest numbers in Australia (31,000) and the United Kingdom (9700). Those living or travelling overseas can either return a postal vote; download, scan and upload a vote; or vote in person at many New Zealand embassies and high commissions. People can still also enroll until midnight on 22 September, the day before the election. Citizens who have been in New Zealand in the past three years, and permanent residents who have been in the country within the last 12 months are eligible to enrol and vote. "If you're heading away on an overseas trip closer to election day, you can cast a vote before you leave at any advance voting place from Monday 11 September, or you can contact your local returning officer if you need to vote before then," Ms Wright said. "There will also be advance voting facilities in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch International Airports in the week before election day, so travellers can vote before they leave the country," she said. More information on overseas voting can be found at the electoral commission's website or by calling 0800 36 76 56. Appointments and Resignations Congratulations to the following on their recent appointments: Karen O'Keefe - Teacher, Johnsonville Full Day Anita Rogers - Teacher, Meta Riddiford Jim Batty - Teacher, Raumati South Tracey Hosie - Teacher, Totara Park Ngaretta Strong - Learning and Community Liaison Teacher, Nuanua and Toru Fetu Karoline Masoe - Administrator, Arohanui Maria Kapralos - Administrator, Berhampore We wish all the best to the following, who have resigned: Tali Boardman - Support Staff, Berhampore Maria Kapralos - Support Staff, Island Bay Nicola Cornish - Support Staff, Ngaio and Northland
End of Year Full Staff Function  We haven’t had an end of year full staff function for a couple of years, but this year we have one booked in and we’d love you all to come. So please save this date in your calendars and we will include more details in the Kōrero over the coming weeks. When: Friday 17th November 2017 Where: Mac’s Brew Bar 4 Taranaki Street Wellington (Opposite Te Papa)
Thank you for taking the time to read Kōrero. Don't forget to check out the story listed down the side menu. | 
