16 DECEMBER 2021

Tena ra Koutou
(Greetings to you)

CHRISTMAS CLOSURE
Creative Corner will be
closed from 2.15 pm on
Friday, 24 December 2021
and reopens on Monday, 10
January 2022

Happy and safe holidays to
you and your whanau for
the festive season.
Ngā manaakitanga ki a
koutou katoa
Meri Kirihimete

Well we are near the end of another odd year! I’m resisting
the urge to say 2022 will be better as I did that in 2020!
A massive thank you to my team of teachers and our
amazing support crew. We have muddled through this year
with charm and grace and mostly smiles on our faces.
Another big thank you to our parent whanau for their
unwavering support, kindness, appreciation and the occasional
treats. I know we haven’t been able to be quite the
Creative Corner we usually aim for this year, but you have
continued to support us regardless.
I wish all of our CC Crew a wonderful, restful, safe and
happy holiday period. I hope that you are all treated with
kindness and generosity over the break and take the
opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and find the
positives that I’m sure will be in there 
Merry Xmas, Amy

Kia Ora Whanau,
Another year down, and once again one most of us would care to forget. The resurgence of Covid-19 and
the Delta variant has presented numerous challenges, not just within the ECE sector, but in just about every
facet of our lives (can anyone say "mandates"). Yet, despite this, Creative Corner remains in a strong
position. When I reflect upon 2021, I have fond memories including our Book Day (some AMAZING
costumes), the fantastic lockdown Storypark updates from our Kaiako, our own Creative Corner Olympics,
and of course our annual Casino Night, where we FAR exceeded our fundraising goal. I also look at how
my own 2 children have progressed this year, and am safe in the knowledge that we are truly lucky with
the team we have nurturing our tamariki. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank each
and every one of our Kaiako and support staff. You are such a caring and engaged team, it is an absolute
pleasure to leave our babies in your hands every day. Sadly, this year we farewelled Gay (retirement) and
Tanyka (relocation), but were lucky to welcome Jen into the team, and were able to bring Michael on fulltime.
From a governance perspective, it has been a testing year. The Board of Trustees were faced with some
difficult choices at times, and I'm very proud of the open discussions and pragmatic decision-making that
occurred. To all of the BOT - Clarissa, Pip, Maggie, Ange, Lili, Jess, Katy, Charlotte, Andrew, Eamon and
Gareth it's an absolute pleasure working with you all, and thank you. A special mention too, to Mrs Kerri
Jopp who stepped down from her role on the BOT after many years of service. It's not been the same without
Kerri at our meetings and she is missed!
Finally, to Amy - our jobs are made much easier by the wonderful job you do (aside from your woeful
spelling). Creative Corner is in safe hands with you at the helm!
All the best for the rest of the year, and see you all in 2022.
Meri Kirihimete
Sam Wilson - BOT Chair

Kia ora whanau
We have nearly made it through another whirlwind of a year! I would like to say thank you all for your support
(and treats) that we have received consistently throughout the year. It is thoroughly appreciated.
Into the New Year we look forward to some Pukeko siblings that are ready to join the Creative Corner whanau.
We also farewell Tommy and whanau.
Lastly, I wish you all a big Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope you all get a restful break and indulge
in too many treats! Katy - Head Teacher Kaka Room
Kia ora whanau
There has been a lot of fun and excitement with in the Pukeko Room since Elfie and Elfalina came to visit. The
children have had a lot of fun following their crazy antics and were all a little concerned when they caught
Candycanicocal Jinglebell Itis… meaning they had to spend a couple of days in quarantine.
The children have enjoyed designing and creating a range of Christmas decorations, writing letters to Santa;
telling him what they are proud of this year and what they would like to receive on Christmas day.
But of course, the highlight this week has been a special visit from Santa Claus himself. The cold and rainy day
did not put a damper on anything. The children looked fabulous in their range of Christmas themed attire,
bringing a lot of happiness and cheer. They were all very polite and waited patiently as Santa called out their
names, gave them a big high five and then handed them a present.
This was followed by a shared Christmas lunch, with yummy hot chips…which was even more wonderful on such a
cold and rainy day. Kerry – Head Teacher Pukeko Room