Staffing term 2, 2014

This BLOG is to keep you up-to-date on staffing.

Music: At the end of term 1, Peter de Blois won a fulltime, head of music position at a secondary school. Sadly, but not surprisingly, he accepted the position which meant we lost our part-time music specialist. Fortunately Julia Avia, our other part-time music teacher, has similar specialisms and is available and able to do much of what Peter was doing. Gus will continue to provide drumming lessons and will work with Julia with the school band (which performed so well at the learning celebration!).

Te Reo me Tikanga Maori: Crisanna, who has been off on maternity leave, has been teaching Te Reo Maori one day per week to all students. This term she will be teaching two days - continuing to provide Te Reo Maori on one day and on the other day will provide students with experiences in kapahaka, haka, hip hop dance, waiata etc. We are very excited to be returning to the richer experience of tikanga Maori and culture that our children experienced in the early days after the school opened.

Hong Chen, one of our foundation teachers who has been teaching mandarin as part of rotations for one day per week, finished working for us at the end of last term. We are very sad to see her go, but we understand that she needed to explore other opportunities. We are considering how to replace her and have some options we are exploring.

Lisa Bengtsson: Though still on maternity leave, Lisa taught a day per week during term 1. However, this term she and husband, Magnus, are travelling home to Sweden for an extended trip. The good news is, however, that after a year's maternity leave she will be returning fulltime in term 3. Lisa will be joining Harakeke Hub for the rest of the year.

Andrea Smith: Will be going on a year's maternity leave at the end of term 2 and she is being replaced by Lisa (as above). Erica Meads who was initially appointed as a long term reliever for two terms in Koru Hub will remain in Koru Hub for the rest of the year. We are very pleased that she will continue with us.

Staffing is sometimes like doing a complex jigsaw puzzle! However, we always try to make decisions that are in the best interests of students.