Wow, what a week it has been in many ways. Firstly we hope you enjoyed the long weekend and made the most of the weather we had. Congratulations to Mandy who has been recognised with a Kiwibank Local Hero Award, (see below) and we have a new government! Fun and interesting times ahead! 
Kapa Haka Dates Totara Park – 26 October: 3.15-4.45pm
Greytown - 2 November: 4-5.30pm
November 16th Kapa haka celebration for the year, Cottle Kindergarten 4-5.30pm (To be Confirmed)
Learning Support Network Dates for all Areas Kia ora Here are the dates for the Learning Support Network Meetings. Please pencil these dates in for your geographical area. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings. We would highly recommend that at least one person from each kindergarten attend. This term we will be focussing on Behaviour. This will be a practical workshop that supports teachers with everyday developmental behaviours and challenging behaviours. I would like to invite kindergartens to share a video of a child with challenging behaviours. Parental permission will be required. The network will collaboratively develop a plan to support the teachers in their kindergarten. As this workshop is focussed on behaviour it would be good to focus on this however I am open to other learning needs. I would need a video from each area. So get in contact with me if you are keen to share a video. Our meetings will now start promptly at 3.30 and finish at 5pm Location | Date | Area | Strathmore Kindergarten | Thurs 9th November | Wellington | South End Kindergarten | Monday 13th November | Wairarapa | Nuanua Kindergarten | Tuesday 14th November | Porirua | Ngahina Kindergarten | Wednesday 1st November | Kapiti/Horowhenua | Upper Hutt Kindergarten | Wednesday 15th November | Upper Hutt |
Thanks Soreen
Fees and Whānau Contribution Pamphlet We have a new pamphlet for fees and whānau contributions which has been developed to give out to families who are either starting or enquiring about kindergarten. You need to be aware that there is one section under ‘Our Fees’ that you will need to complete before handing out the pamphlet. You will need to add specific information for your kindergarten ie. what your fee is per hour (as this varies across our kindergartens). If you are not sure what your hourly rate is talk to Tania or Cathryn and they will help you. We will send out 100 copies of this pamphlet to each kindergarten over the next couple of weeks. Once you have received them you can start giving these out to your families. Just let Tania know when your stocks are low and she will send you some more.
Give Away Days Ni Sa Bula everyone Whānau Manaaki is holding Give Away Days on Saturday 4th November at Una Williams Kindergarten and Saturday 25th November at Nuanua Kindergarten for the families that we work with. We are very fortunate for the generosity and care we receive from our kindergartens, families, the wider community and networks who give us items that our families would benefit from. Everything we receive is given away to families for free. If you have any items that you would like to give away including clothing, linen, curtains, furniture, electronics, appliances, toys, books, shoes, kitchen ware, jewellery, make up, toiletries, food (tin and packet) etc you can drop them off at the following places near you: - Whanau Manaaki Kindergartens main office (Ask for Tania Braybrook)
- Una Williams Kindergarten: 12 Macara Street Masterton
- Trentham Kindergarten, preferably after 2.30pm and before 4.00pm
Mandy Awarded a Medal Whānau Manaaki Kindergarten Chief Executive, Amanda Coulston, has been recognised with a Kiwibank Local Hero award. The award aims to recognise “everyday people doing extraordinary things” in their local communities to make a difference for others in fields such as education, leadership, community work, or working with disadvantaged communities. It acknowledges contribution, sacrifice and selfless commitment. Up to 250 people from 16 regions around the country are recognised by the awards. Kiwibank Chief Executive says “We need to recognise these unsung heroes and say thank you for their inspiration and contribution.” Mandy says she had no idea anyone had put her forward for the award, and she says it acknowledges the contribution made by all who work at Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens to improve the lives of children. 
Are you in Need of Some Sunscreen? Do you use a sunblock dispenser, as shown in the photos below, in your Kindergarten? Matariki Kindergarten has an oversupply of sunblock with expiry dates of January 2018 or November 2018. If there are any Kindergartens that use this system and would be able to make use of this sunblock contact Matariki Kindergarten. They will be more than happy to share these products with you.  
Paremata Head to the Beach Tamariki went out on their beach hikoi last week as part of the Kindergarten's beach programme. They saw lots of wildlife basking in the sunshine including 4 stingray and a baby seal. The tamariki also enjoyed playing in the sand.  
 
Matairangi's New Mural This fantastic new mural has just been completed on the fence of the Kindergarten. The whakaaro had been in the pipelines for a number of years, and the committee and teachers planned for the 2016 market day fundraiser to fund the long awaited project. There is so much place based meaning depicted in the mural, including Ranginui and Papatuanuku, atua are represented, ngake and whataitai (taniwha of whanganui-a-tara), te keo (spirit of whataitai), Matairangi (our maunga), poutama of learning, te awa kairangi (sacred awa for local iwi), the battle of the mountains…and specific Te Atiawa styling of images (kupenga/niho taniwha) was gifted to our artist, by whakairo/carvers of the local iwi. A blessing for this (and our whare takaaro) will be held later in the term. er place for copy to go The artist is Aidan Walbaekken – his Facebook page is Aidan Walbaekken Art. 
Changes at Greytown Greytown Kindergarten trialled opening in the term break recently as the beginning of a switch to a full year operation, and the teaching team found it a positive experience for children, families and teachers. Head teacher Melissa Hodder says the kindergarten had a fantastic fortnight, with up to 20 children and three teachers. Children thrived with the smaller numbers, and parents really appreciated the opportunity. “Our parents that have been using us during the week have been really happy. A couple of our children have been settling for a little while and being able to come during the holidays has made a huge difference, with the smaller ratios and relaxed atmosphere.” “We’ve been able to go for a walk, make necklaces and capes to take home and explore the storeroom for lots of treasure to create with.” It was also a productive week with teachers having the chance to have a clear-out and reorganise things with the lower numbers. With fewer teachers needed each day, there was still the opportunity for professional development, and those who wanted leave to take some. The flexibility to take leave later during the year is also attractive. The kindergarten experimented with changes to routine with the smaller numbers, and some of those innovations (such as a rolling lunch and more fluid roles and mat-times ) will now be trialled during the normal term. If you are interested in discussing this option for your Kindergarten please contact Jane at jane.braun@wmkindergartens.org.nz. 
Labour forms Government with New Zealand First and the Green Party Today Jacinda Ardern was sworn in as our new Prime Minister and the Labour Party, with the support of both New Zealand First and the Greens will govern our country for the next three years. For many of you, this is great news because you philosophically support Labour, NZ First, or the Greens; others of you will be disappointed because you support National. He Whānau Manaaki has focused on the policies of the respective parties and referenced them against the values and goals of our organisation rather than supported any particular ideological or philosophical stance. To this end, we are excited and hopeful that a Labour-led government will progress policies that are more consistent with ours. Below are details of some of the policies that the respective parties campaigned on:  Chris Hipkins has been appointed the Minister responsible for Education. We can expect a change in key education policies. This won’t occur overnight, and there will be competing pressures on the new Government. Therefore, we need to continue to advocate, lobby, and promote policies for high quality ECE and policies to support children and whānau. Our key platforms will continue: - Eradicate child poverty
- Require 100 per cent qualified teachers and fund services for this
- Invest in an effective timely, learning support service for all families.
- Provide annual funding increases in line with costs
Remember to Please Save this Date in your Calendars When: Friday 17th November 2017 Where: Mac’s Brew Bar 4 Taranaki Street Wellington (Opposite Te Papa) All Staff employed to work in your Kindergarten are welcome and encouraged to attend - We will provide food and subsidised alcoholic drinks (non alcoholic drinks will be free)
- As in previous years there will be a bus from Levin, transport from Porirua and we will reimburse travel expenses for the folk that live in the Wairarapa. We know some people have booked accommodation in town to make a night of it
Please keep checking upcoming Kōrero for more detailed information.
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