You will notice in this week's edition of the Kōrero that we have introduced a new section called Hot Tips. We thought you might appreciate some useful, and lighthearted tips about all sorts of things designed to make life easier. So each week we're going to bring you a "hot tip". If you have any "hot tips" that you want to share with others please feel free to email these to Jan or Chanelle at jan.hannon@wmkindergartens.org.nz or chanelle.huia-rutten@wmkindergartens.org.nz Have a great weekend and a reminder that it is Waitangi Day, public holiday, on Tuesday. Jane. 
Update to Environments Workshop Please Note The time for the Environments workshop at Piko Piko Kindergarten on March 6th will be 3.30 pm.
Sick Leave Thank you to those teachers who have returned their signed acceptances of the new sick leave provisions. A reminder if you haven't yet returned yours to do so please. We have sent an email to your individual Whānau Manaaki address with a reminder. If you have any questions please email payroll@wmkindergartens.org.nz.
Whooping Cough There is an outbreak of whooping cough in the greater Wellington area at the moment. Regional Public Health advises that the vaccination provides 10 years of immunity. We have had a few enquiries from teachers as to whether WMK will fund a booster vaccination, we are happy to do so. If you are keen to have the vaccine, arrange this through your GP and send the receipt into us and we will refund you directly. The cost of the vaccine is around $50. It is also a great time to remind families in your kindergartens about immunisation. Regional Public Health advises that the best protection for newborn infants is for vaccination to occur on the schedule at 6 weeks, 3months and 5 months and for pregnant women who have not had the vaccination in the past 10 years, to be vaccinated between 28 and 38 weeks of their pregnancy (which is offered at no charge). Here is some additional information to assist you and your families.
Update on Learning Support Network Meeting Topic - Documentation for Learning Support Time - 3.30 to 5pm
Meeting Dates: Wednesday 7th February at Ngahina Kindergarten Wednesday 14th February at Island Bay Kindergarten Wednesday 21th February at Carterton Kindergarten Wednesday 28th February at Nuanua Kindergarten Wednesday 6th March at Trentham Kindergarten Please bring along a portfolio from your kindergarten of a child with learning needs. This year you will need to enrol on HRNet for Learning Support. This ensures that this professional development goes onto your personnel records. Look forward to seeing you all again. Soreen
Induction and Mentoring Seminar When: Saturday 10th February 2018 Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm Venue: Silverstream Kindergarten We are looking forward to seeing all Provisionally Certificated Teachers and their Mentors at our first Induction and Mentoring Seminar for 2018, which is on Saturday 10th February at Silverstream Kindergarten from 9.00am - 1.00pm. Teachers who hold a Subject to Confirmation Practising Certificate are welcome to attend too. Please enrol on HRNet as soon as possible so that your enrolment is confirmed (we need numbers so that we have enough food, chairs and resources for everyone - thanks). If you do not have an HRNet login yet, please contact Hannah at the Association office, hannah.toomaga@wmkindergartens.org.nz who will help you with this. It is expected that all provisionally certificated teachers (PCTs) attend as it is an important part of the Induction and Mentoring programme. If you have started your Induction and Mentoring Programme, pleae bring your Induction and Mentoring/Appraisal portfolio with you. Please contact Catha, catha.ritchie@wmkindergartens.org.nz, or your Senior Teacher if you have any questions. Kaupapa | Time | Content | | Facilitator | | 9.00am | Waiata and Karakia Welcome and overview of the day. | | Fiona, Lynette and Sharon | | 9.15am | Year 1 PCTs and Mentors Overview of Induction and Mentoring programme | Year 2 PCTs and Mentors Revisiting and reflecting on the first year of the Induction and Mentoring programme and sharing pedagogical practice (please bring your portfolios to share examples with others) | | | 10.00am | Relective practice and gathering documented evidence and artifacts | | Sharon | | 11.00am | Morning Tea | | | | 11.30am | Ethical Practice | | Sharon | | 12.45pm | Poroporoaki Closing waiata and karakia | | |
Finance Update Ministry of Education RS7 Reporting Just a reminder that the Association has to report “RS7” information about your kindergarten to the Ministry of Education for the current funding period (1 October 2017 – 31 January 2018) by Thursday 8 February 2018. All of the information we require is generated from your enrolment and staff timetable information in Infocare, so we need your help to ensure that all of this is complete and accurate. As with normal month end requirements can you please ensure that, for the all weeks in this funding period (which ends Friday 2 February), the following is completed in Infocare by 4pm on Monday 5 February: - Sign in sheets marked in Infocare (actual attendance)
- Fee invoices are created and committed
- Staff timetables (“staff hour count”) are completed
- Online sign off of your monthly roll return
- Any ratio, attendance or roll issues are communicated to the Association (please call Tania or Hannah)
If your support staff are unavailable to work on Friday can you please ensure arrangements are in place so that this deadline is met – this may mean that these tasks need to be completed by Teaching staff before the cut off. We will be reviewing your Infocare RS7 data so you may receive reminder emails or queries on Tuesday 6 February. No changes to Infocare for the 1 October 2017 – 31 January 2018 funding period will be able to be made after 4pm, Monday 5 February. Term 1 2018 Whānau Contributions Your families may be starting to ask about Term 1 requests for Whanau Contributions. Feel free to let them know that these will be emailed out later next week. Hard copies will also be delivered to kindergartens for distribution through “child pockets”. So that we have the most up to date information for our request letters can you please have all your children’s enrolment records (including parent/guardian contact email addresses) in Infocare up to date.
Introducing a New Kaiako for Kindergartens, Miriama Paul  Miriama, is taking over the kaiako work from Bea Joblin who is on maternity leave. Miriama is an experienced Early Childhood teacher who has a deep passion for Te Reo Māori and Music. Alongside her Kaiako work with us she provides a service to ECE centres called ‘Wā Whāriki’ to encourage all cultures to learn Te Reo Māori in an easy and respectful manner. Miriama will spend about half an hour in the kindergarten, introducing stories and waiata with the children. Kindergartens will reimburse her from their funds. Miriama has some spaces available in Term 1 (please see below) and is willing to attend on a regular basis and support your Te Ao Māori programme. If you are interested in having Miriama provide this service to your kindergarten, please email Sharon Coulton on sharon.coulton@wmkindergartens.org.nz. Thank you. Monday in Wellington City S and E | Tuesday in Porirua and Tawa | Wednesday in Upper Hutt | Thursday in Lower Hutt | Friday in Porirua and Tawa | Between 12.30pm and 1.30pm | Between 11.00am and 2.00pm | Between 11.45am and 2.00pm | Between 9.00am and 10.00am | Between 10.00am and 2.00pm | | | | Between 12.30pm and 2.00pm | |
Tēnā kōutou te whānau, Ko Taupiri rāua ko Mauao ngā Maunga Ko Waikato te Awa Ko Tauranga te Moana Ko Tainui rāua ko Mataatua ngā waka Ko Tainui rāua ko Ngai-te-rangi ngā Iwi Ko Ngati Mahanga rāua ko Ngati Tauaiiti ngā hapū Ko Te Kaharoa rāua ko Te Kutaroa ngā marae Ko Koriki rāua ko Tupaea ngā Tāngata Ko Matakana te Moutere Ko Aramiro te Papakāinga Ko Miriama Rauputiputi Adrianne Paul tōku ingoa. Noreira tēna kōutōu kātoa. Ngā mihi mahana kia kōutōu kātoa mo te tau hou 2018. Warm greetings to all as we begin the year 2018. Na to rourou, Na taku rourou ka ora ai te Iwi. With my basket of knowledge, your basket of knowledge together our baskets become one.
Tai Tamariki's Moment in the Spotlight  Late last year the children at Tai Tamariki Kindergarten were fortunate to be able to view the Brickman exhibition at Te Papa. This is all things Lego and looks amazing. TV1 were there to film the children and their responses. Check out the news item here. The exhibition finishes on the 18th February so you will need to be quick if want to see it.
Hungry Caterpillars Transform Children at Newtown Kindergarten witnessed three monarch butterflies emerging within 15 minutes early last week. Kaiako supported the interest with art materials nearby, kōrero at mat-time, a you-tube clip on a continuous loop and books and puzzles. Check out the butterflies and some of the art-work below.  
Look After Your Eyes  Deb Bird, Doris Nicholson Kindergarten, shares her recent experience with her eye health. "I had to have an eye test last week..(every 2 yrs I get offered a free test so I take it). I need glasses to read with now and for the last few years have managed with "cheapies" from the cheap shops. Sadly I can no longer do this. My right eye has a developing cataract...and it's not due to age....REPEAT NOT DUE TO OLD AGE….its due to sun damage. People if you are like me, and just buy cheap sun glasses, DON'T! Always get UV protection, polarised sunnies. I now have to have proper reading and proper sun glasses. Cha ching! Luckily for me my eye damage can be reversed it's not bad enough yet for a operation but it will be in a few years...and then they will be able to operate and repair the damage. Bottom line is.....look after those eyes! Don't be dumb...like I've been. Just thought I’d share …don’t mind it being out there if it saves someones eye sight."
Saying Good bye We have recently received a resignation from Celia Fairfax Darryl, one of our amazing relievers who has worked for the Association for over 30 years. We would like to acknowledge her contribution to the Association by having a farewell celebration for her. We’d like to invite anybody that knows Celia to a farewell for her on: Friday, 23 February, at 4pm. - at One Fat Bird ( the pub at Marsden Village) in Karori
Please RSVP topaula.hunt@wmnkindergartens.org.nz by Friday 16 February.
Hot Tips  This week, Team Leader Senior Teachers, Sharon Coulton, demonstrates a nifty way of serving chippies when you don’t have a bowl – it also helps guests know what flavour chippies they are. ☺
Thank you for taking the time to read Kōrero. Don't forget to check out some of the stories listed down the side menu. Just click between the stories of use the Kōrero bar to come back to this page. | 
