The students have returned to school bright and eager to learn. These first weeks back after a refreshing holiday provide prime learning time and best use has been made of this week.

Our three Assemblies have all been focused on the Olympic Games. On Monday the children learnt about the Olympic Values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship. On Wednesday Mrs Spicer spoke about perseverance and particularly highlighted the actions of Dereck Raymond in 1992. Having been expected to win a medal, his Achilles tendon snapped in the semifinal of the 400m race. Instead of wallowing in disappointment he got up and hobbled to the finish line assisted by his father who jumped out of the stands to help.

Our Friday Assembly was a special treat. Our PE teacher, Mrs Clarke, spoke to the children about her Olympic experiences. Mrs Clarke represented New Zealand over 150 times and in 2005 was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). Mrs Clarke competed in three Olympic Games; 1992 in Barcelona, 2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens. She was also a member of the team that won a bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to hear firsthand of the experiences of an athlete in the Olympic Village. Thank you Mrs Clarke.

Peter Crompton
Principal