CREATIVE CORNER NEWSLETTER
11 May 2022
TENA KOUTOU KATOA
HELLO EVERYBODY
A massive thanks again to all our families and staff for their ongoing support during the past few weeks to help us to remain open where we have been able to. It has been a tough time, but we really do appreciate your sacrifice.
“We're all in this together and want to do everything we can to help get us all through
these challenging times."
TEACHER ONLY DAY
Friday, 27 May
CENTRE IS CLOSED
FAREWELL – KA KITE
Farewell to Maggie Wilson and MacKenzie Heywood, who leave the Pukeko room. Happy school days girls!
WELCOME – NAU MAI
Welcome to Alvie Hancock, Matilda Mills and Parker Beeby who join us in the Kākā Room.
CHARITY BIKE RIDE
We are super excited to share that we were one of the lucky recipients of the funds from the Charity Bike Ride this year.
A massive thank you to the crew and riders who put in a massive effort and a big thanks to the staff and parents who supported the riders on the practice rides. Thanks to Charlotte for being our last-minute poster girl.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022
Elections were held at the AGM recently and the following parents have willingly agreed to continue to be our Board of Trustees:
Sam Wilson (Chairperson), Andrew Darling (Deputy Chair), Maggie Harvey (Treasurer), Ange Lumsden (Secretary), Jess Bacon, Eamon Haggart, Pip Reihana and Charlotte O’Brien.
Our new teacher rep is Jen Barnes.
A big thanks to Katy Jackson who has been our teacher rep for the past few years.
STAFFING
As you are aware Katy is leaving us for the sunny shores of Australia. Her final day is the 25 May.
I haven’t at this point been able to secure a suitable candidate to replace her, so we are readvertising the role. In the meantime, I am in the process of organising cover for Katy’s teaching hours and I will take over the Head teacher role in the nursery. Once I have finalised plans, and signed contracts I will put a notice out to families. I am hopeful that we will be able to manage a relatively seamless transition.
As we adjust to differences in our lives that have been brought on by COVID, many of us may be feeling anxious or losing sleep. The uncertainties that this pandemic has brought can be stressful, annoying, tough, frustrating, and even scary at times. So, it’s important to look after our mental health to make sure we are equipped to deal with the changes to our lives.
FEELING STRESSED? TAKE A MINUTE TO TRY THESE THREE TIPS:
1. TAKE A BREATH
Pause for a moment and take a few deep breaths in and out. Find a comfortable space, try to relax, and take in the world around you. Taking a breath is one of the best ways to reduce stress, and it’s a free stress-relieving activity available anytime, anywhere.
Being honest about your emotions can help you prioritise your mental health and give you permission to say no to things that will only add to your stress. Be gentle with yourself—it’s ok to feel overwhelmed with the things that are going on in the world.
2. TAKE A BREAK
It’s easy to get overloaded right now, so take a break from your regular work, study, or news intake by feeding your mind with small, joyful activities. Find some time to sit in the fresh air and look up at the sky or to listen to some music.
Progressive muscle relaxation exercises can also help your body to take a break from stress. Start by finding a quiet, comfortable place, and then tighten or tense particular muscle groups in your body, such as your neck and shoulders. Hold the tension for a few seconds, release, and notice how your muscles feel when you relax them. This exercise can help you relax when you are feeling anxious.
3. TAKE CARE
Take care of yourself by paying attention to your own needs and feelings—treat yourself with the same kindness you would show a friend. Try to ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and doing some exercise to help you deal with the stresses of this time. Moving your body helps improve mental health by reducing anxiety and depression, as well as being good for overall health.
When you’re in a safe mental space, it’s also important to take care of those around you. Check in with friends and family to see how they’re going—assisting each other can make us stronger as a community. When physical distance is necessary, you can keep in touch with your loved ones by phone.