Julian has settled into her role and brings her strengths in te reo and tikana moari.
Sadly we also said goodbye to Sera who had been our long term reliever during Verna’s absence. Penny Dawbin also resigned during the term and we were sorry to lose her after six years. We wish them well in their future endeavors.
In term three we have said goodbye to two of our children and welcomed several new families. We hope that you will enjoy your time as part of our large Huntly kindergarten family.
 During the term due to falling rolls the number of afternoon children was dropped from 40 to 30. This is a temporary measure and when the waiting list numbers increase this decision will be reviewed by Central North Island Kindergarten Association.
This term, the children’s interest in all areas of the kindergarten has continued, but due to a lot of really wet weather their outside play was very restricted. Our new ‘messy’ play table arrived and the children had lots of fun rediscovering messy play.
On the 9^th September the children, parents and teachers went by bus to Kelly Tarltons. This venue was selected by majority votes from the parents. First we were treated to a puppet show that showed some of the creatures from the sea, then we walked around the exhibits. Some of us were able to see the penguins more than once. The King Emperor chicks were very cute with their fluffy grey plumage. We all had a great time and thanks must go out to all of the parent helpers, without which, excursions such as this could not occur.  

SUPPORT FOR AND CO-OPERATION WITH COLLEAGUES
Visitors      

Tristan Wallace, Manager of Professional Practice visited on the 22^nd July to conduct a playground check and again on the 4^th August for Julian’s powhiri and induction.

B4 school checks for hearing and vision tests on all the four year old children were conducted on the 4^th August.      

On the 14^th August Heather Ayerst and Lorraine Bristol, principal and deputy principal visited from Huntly Primary School. On the 19^th August Heather visited again and invited Huntly Kindergarten to participate in their school art exhibition on the 25^th September.

On the  30^th August  PD workers spent the day at kindergarten, turning over the bark and sand in the sandpit and     moving the children’s garden form the back of the kindergarten to the front where it will more accessible.                                        

Liz Collins and Kurvern from GSE visited a few times.

Students:
Tracey Hickey joined us for a five day placement over the first five weeks of term 3.
Natalee Burt from Hamilton Girls High school joined us for the day on the 15^th September.  

Staff :
Viv attended an administrator’s cluster meeting on the 13^th August in Paeroa.
On the 10^th September the kindergarten was closed so that Myra, Heather and Julian could attend a Kei tua o te pai meeting at Thames. These meetings continue to allow the team to further develop, with the parents and children, a partnership in the Planning and Assessment in the children’s profile books. Through being involved in Kei tua o te pai, parents and children’s contributions to the profile books has increased dramatically.
Our end of term celebration will be on Tuesday 23^rd September with an international shared lunch. Dress up in your culture’s costume and bring some food from your culture or your ancestors culture to share with everyone. All are welcome to attend.
The children’s last day will be Friday, 26^th September.
Kindergarten starts again on Monday 13^th October.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to Margaret and Merrill for relieving in the .07 position and when staff are away.