WELCOME TO 2017 - INTRODUCTION LETTER

Te amorangi ki mua, te hapai o ki muri

The leader at the front and the workers behind the scenes

Nga mihi ki a koutou katoa,

First of all, I would like to introduce myself as your child’s teacher for 2017. My name is Desmond Leota and I am known at school as Matua Desmond. I have been teaching here for 7 years and I have had an amazing time as an educator at C.P.S.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to a new year in room 22. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child throughout this year, which surely promises to bring with it, many new experiences and challenges. In order to make the year a successful one, teamwork and cooperation will be required by all. As your son’s teacher, it is my goal to help him become a confident learner and I will do my best to help make this year a positive experience for your child.

Room 22 is also known as ‘Kotuku’. He Kotuku Rerenga Tahi" was inspired by the legend of Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator and expresses universal themes of journeys, dynamic life and peace. Kupe is said to have journeyed from Hawaiiki, the ancestral homeland of Maori, overcoming many severe obstacles at sea, to become the first person to discover Aotearoa. "He kotuku rerenga tahi" is a whakatauki or proverb, which means "a white heron's flight is seen but once". It is used to indicate a very special and rare event and in this case refers to the arrival of Kupe and his waka Matawhaorua.

I have included an outline of the routines and expectations for this year. Please read through the information with your child and keep it for future reference.

Attendance:

Your son is expected to attend every school day this year. If for any reason he cannot make it to school, then the school must be contacted either by phone call, text, email or note upon arrival to school. Inconsistent absences and failure to make contact with the school is not acceptable.

Uniform: A requirement at this school is that all students must wear the correct school uniform. If you are not sure of our schools uniform, then please ask one of our lovely office staff.

Homework:

Students are expected to complete homework nightly. Although daily assignments will not necessarily be written, I will assign written assignments several times a week. Depending on the students’ level, homework may include research, reviewing vocabulary, studying for tests and quizzes, reading assigned texts/related subject matter, or preparing reports.

Book work:

All work is to be presented in a neat and tidy manner. Your teacher will show you how all books are to be set up. There is to be no graffiti on books as this is 

I look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the coming year and I am confident that together we can provide the support and encouragement needed to help your child excel. If you have any questions now or at any time in the future, don’t hesitate to contact me at the school on (0212641613).

Desmond Leota