Principal's Weekly Review 1st April 2021
Kia ora,
We are in the process of moving through two short school weeks before the final full week of Term 1.
Recently consultative progress has been made with two key organizations. Firstly, the Education Review Office (ERO), who we met with in an introductory capacity as they roll out their new Engagement with Schools programme which focuses on being an Evaluative Partner. We will have more information around their processes when we meet again next term. And secondly, with the Ministry of Education in relation to our proposed Ministry funded building programme, which potentially is looking at developing two new teaching blocks, and the removal of an old teaching block and prefab classrooms. This has been a long journey to this point, and is now getting closer to fruition where discussions will be transferred into actual plans and building design. I hope to be able to share more information in relation to this next term. This is a development from the Re-build Education Brief that the school did in consultation with the community in 2018.
On Thursday we held our Combined Assemblies. This gave us an opportunity to share some information, celebrate the success of a number of our students, be entertained by our student rock band – Red Weekend, as they prepare for Rock Quest, and hear from our various student committees and councils. We greatly appreciate the input from our students on these occasions as it is their contribution for their peers that helps grow and evolve our school.
Some key messages from the assemblies included;
That it has been a tough start to the year with COVID-19 Level changes and that following a more settled period, students are making good progress, and that our recent Academic Counselling day has helped them to focus, and be encouraged to achieve their aspirations here at school.
We also acknowledged the contribution the students were making through their participation in co-curricular activities, and their service and leadership. That their involvement was valued, and encouraged and that Term 2 would bring another set of opportunities.
Another important point stemmed around reinforcing that we have a warm, friendly, and welcoming environment and that we are collectively responsible for maintaining that. We also know that life can throw us many challenges, and sometimes we respond in a reactionary way that is not beneficial to anyone. By making positive decisions and taking appropriate action we can all contribute to supporting our school environment, so that everyone here feels safe, valued, and respected.
The final message focused on the importance of continuing to show kindness, being respectful, and focus on positive decision making.
We have two weeks to go, in what has been a very busy term. Sunday morning will bring an end to daylight saving, so there’s a potential opportunity for an extra hour of sleep.
I wish you all a restful and enjoyable Easter break with your whānau and friends.
Ngā mihi nui
Jeff Smith
Principal