From the Tumuaki

Tena koutou,

As we finish the end of Term 3, I have reflected on the school in recent weeks and the vision we started the year with - to ‘Inspire and Empower’.

Academic Focus

This week has seen our senior students focussed on sitting their school exams. These exams are vitally important for a variety of reasons. Firstly, sitting exams give students the opportunity to see where they are with their learning and how much they have taken on over the year. Secondly, should they be unable to sit their NCEA exams, these exams provide derived grades.

And thirdly, it is a vital skill to develop and get practice to sit a test when they leave school whether it is a University exam, Drivers licence or completing training through their workplace.

We also have our Yr 10 students that will be sitting their Numeracy and Literacy corequisite exam in the early part of next term which will also require a focussed approach to their learning, particularly in the first 3 weeks of next term.

Vibes

Wow!! For anyone who was able to attend the Vibes performances last week, this was an outstanding event. I was amazed at the talent that was on show from students and staff with many highlights throughout the evening. Congratulations to all the placegetters but also to everyone who went out of their comfort zone and had the courage to be involved in this as I know there were a number of students doing this for the first time.

The House competition would have been rated as one of the best in the 9 years that I have been here and the level of these was very high.

I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our Arts Leaders, Elle Fraser and Charlotte Rowley who worked tirelessly to ensure it was well supported by many of our students across all the year levels. My thanks to Mrs Andrea Hornsby, our Arts Coordinator, Mr Cameron Love, HOD of Music, and Ms Eliza Williams, HOD Drama, for enabling this event to happen as this event showcases the talents of students in this field and is part of the academic, personal, cultural and social development of our students.

Te Wiki o te Reo Maori Language Week

Last week was a wonderful celebration of Te wiki o te reo Maori culminating in a Maori Performance celebration. If you attended this, you would have seen our vision in action and a celebration honouring the Treaty, showcasing the reo language through kapa haka and waiata performances. My thanks to Whaea Jordyn Osborne - it is her passion over many years that has brought this celebration to life, to Mrs Lisette Henry, Mrs Stacey Muru and Mr Cameron Love who helped make it such a success. I must mention the hard work of Mrs Sarah Foley and the Student Exec who with community members organised a hangi with the proceeds from this going to Karamu High School involved in the flooding in Hawkes Bay.

Pouwhenua in Hall foyer

Following the Maori Performance last Friday was the unveiling of the 4 Pouwhenua that have been designed and made by a number of Year 10 students this year to reflect our local history. The pouwhenua were blessed by our local Kaumatua Wahine, Whaea Addie Couch-Snow and are now showcased at the entrance to our school hall.

Student Leader Interviews

Every year, we have many outstanding Year 12 students who take the bold step of putting themselves forward for a School Leadership position. Also, every year we have a number of students who do not gain one of these positions. Each year, I meet with these students to discuss that the leadership of the school does not function solely with these roles but requires energy, support and a willingness to seize other leadership opportunities as they arise from every member of Year 13.

Over this week, we have been interviewing 19 students for these roles and it is always a pleasure hearing the ideas and passion for their school that they have when we go through this process.

New and Departing Staff

We have completed a number of staffing vacancies over the last few weeks and can confirm the following:

• Leonardo de Angelis - has taken the physics, Science and Maths position for next year as Mr Louis Moulton takes leave for 2024.

• Natasja Wright - joins us as a Food teacher for next year coming from Hamilton.

All our new staff will be down for 2 days in early November to meet their departments and get an induction. In our next newsletter, I will share all the new staff that we have with us next year.

We are currently advertising for English as Miss Caitlin Miles has gained a role at Lincoln High School for next year. We have also advertised for a Health and Physical Education role as Ms Tessa Opie takes maternity leave next year.

Finally, I wish our students and their families a well-deserved holiday break. I wish you all an enjoyable time with family and friends and look forward to seeing our students at the start of Term 4.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa