Principal's Weekly Review 4 June 2021
Kia ora,
Thank you for your support and understanding as we negotiated the weather ‘bomb’ over the weekend and on Monday. Once again it is heartening to see the wider Canterbury community come together and support each other.
Friday’s Staff Only Day provided, our staff, along with staff from schools in our Tōtaranui Kāhui Ako cluster an opportunity to participate in workshops both off and on site. Presentations included ‘Structured Literacy’ by Liz Kane at Cotswold Primary School, ‘Understanding Behaviour and Trauma’ by Karen Campbell and Rachel Cooper at Casebrook Intermediate, and ‘Culturally Responsive Learning and Teaching: A Promise for Educating’ by Professor Angus Macfarlane and colleagues, at Papanui High. Later in the afternoon staff from all schools met back here to celebrate the launching of Professor Angus Macfarlane’s latest book: ‘The Hikairo Schema Secondary: Culturally responsive teaching and learning’ by Te Hurinui Karaka-Clarke, Jennifer Smith, Matiu Tai Ratima, Angus Hikairo Macfarlane, Sonja Macfarlane, Rachel Maitland, Lisa Davies and Susannah Stevens. We were very appreciative of the workshop presenters sharing their knowledge and experience. It was a very positive day and a wonderful opportunity for all our local schools to get together and share some learning.
In Week 9 we present this year’s production ‘Grease’. It is one of the largest productions our school has ever done, with a cast of 75, a live band comprised entirely of students (22), and a 20 strong behind the scenes team. Tickets are now on sale through the school’s website. Further information can be found later in the newsletter.
We wish our two rock bands ‘Motion Project’ and ‘Red Weekend’ who are competing in the Smokefreerockquest Regional Finals on Saturday evening at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre every success.
I hope the long weekend provides an opportunity for some rest and relaxation.
A reminder that on the 8th of June I will be having an operation to replace my hip, and will be looking forward to my return which will be at the beginning of Term 3. In my absence our Associate Principal, Jo Hunnikin will be Acting Principal.
Ngā mihi nui
Jeff Smith
Principal