This has been a big week for Autahi.

After just over a year, we are able to return to our own classroom. We can't believe how spacious and bright the room is. And we're enjoying the sense of potential (and the smell of new carpet, too!).

Here we are exploring it with a treasure hunt so that we know where to find all the important things like pencils, glue sticks and Lego.

You will know from Carl's email this week that there is more work to be done to make our space exactly how we want it to be. The builders have a few last things to complete, after which, we will be able to finish reorganising the room to make the very best use of its potential.

Last year, we undertook a process of consultation with our school community to find out what they love about Autahi, and what we could be doing better, or doing more of. Please do drop into Autahi to see a temporary display of the work we have done so far on conceptualising how our space should work.

This term, our attention turns to our new outside space. What used to be a little-used corridor between Top Grass and the rear of Autahi, is now our very own enclosed area, ripe for all kinds of outdoor play and learning. At this stage, though, it is very much a blank slate.

This is where we hope our Autahi whānau will step in to help us make this space as joyous and playful as we know it can be. How can you help? Well, to begin with, please chat with your child, and think about the ECE, play centre and other outdoor spaces that you and your child have loved.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to be inviting you to share your ideas. And, if you have practical skills, we'd love you to get hands-on, too.

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from ideas shared in class this week.