Principal's comment 30th July 2025.

Tēnā koutou e te whānau,

As we continue our journey through Term 3, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the academic success of our students. This week, we recognised those who have excelled in their learning by awarding Foundation Learning Certificates to students in Years 8–10. These awards reflect both high achievement and significant progress across core learning areas, and we are proud of the dedication and perseverance these students have shown.

Academic achievement remains a cornerstone of success at Geraldine High School. However, the landscape of learning is rapidly evolving, particularly with the increasing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. While AI offers exciting opportunities for enhancing learning—such as personalised feedback, improved efficiency, and access to vast resources—it also presents new challenges. One of the most pressing concerns is the impact of AI on authenticity and cognitive development. When students over-rely on AI to complete tasks, they may miss out on developing the essential mental muscles that come from struggling with a problem, generating original ideas, or working collaboratively toward a solution.

This brings us to what educators around the world refer to as the Five C’s—Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Character. These are the skills that define successful, ethical, and adaptable individuals in the 21st century. If we allow technology to replace rather than enhance our thinking, we risk eroding these foundational capabilities.

• Critical Thinking allows students to analyse, evaluate, and form reasoned judgments—vital for navigating complex information and making sound decisions.

• Creativity fuels innovation and adaptability—skills needed not only in the arts but across all disciplines and workplaces.

• Collaboration encourages learners to work effectively with others, learning from diverse perspectives and solving problems collectively.

• Communication is essential for articulating ideas, building relationships, and engaging with the world.

• Character—including integrity, resilience, and empathy—shapes how we lead, contribute, and care for others.

To strengthen these attributes, we must create learning environments that challenge students to think deeply, work together, ask questions, and reflect on their values and actions. At Geraldine High School, we are committed to:

• Designing tasks that require original thought and problem-solving.

• Using AI ethically—as a tool for learning, not a replacement for it.

• Encouraging group projects and collaborative inquiry.

• Embedding oral and written communication tasks across all subject areas.

• Fostering a school culture grounded in our values of Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, and Achievement.

I encourage all our students and whānau to embrace the opportunities of this term—not only to strive for academic excellence but to grow in the skills and dispositions that will carry them beyond school. As always, we thank you for your continued support.

Ngā mihi nui,
Marcus Cooper
Principal – Geraldine High School