Principal's Message

It is a busy time of the term and students in the senior school are likely to have experienced their first internal assessment by now. With winter sports beginning to get underway and various curricular and extra-curricular trips away from school for staff and students, it is timely to think about encouraging our students to look after themselves by way of plenty of sleep and good nutrition at this time of the year.

Obviously, there is much being reported in terms of the COVID-19 situation. At assembly yesterday, I reminded students of the hygiene precautions they need to take for the winter flu season in general. These instructions will also be put up as a poster in all classrooms. You will have seen these publicised elsewhere, but please continue to reinforce these good habits at home:

· Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet

· Covering coughs and sneezes with clean tissues or with an elbow

· Putting used tissues in the bin

· Staying at home if they are unwell

We have provided tissues and hand sanitisers in every classroom, but students are also welcome to have their own supply in their school bags. Our pandemic planning has been reviewed and we are ensuring that we are keeping on top of advice coming from the Ministries of Health and Education as well as our national international education association.

Many of you will know about the NCEA review that the Minister of Education initiated. The proposed package announce in May 2019 has had some changes made to it including a provisional Level One subject list that the Ministry would like feedback on. There are some significant changes to subject areas which I encourage you to look at and use the opportunity to have input into this process. The link to more information is https://consultation.education.govt.nz/ncea/ras-provisional-subject-list/

We have calendared a teacher only day on Tuesday 24th March. During that day we will be discussing our current curriculum offerings and delivery. To help us consider your voice as part of this process, we would value your input via a survey that will be sent out during the next week. Current and some past students will also complete this survey to help us assess whether we are delivering the very best learning environment and opportunities for your children.

In the next few weeks there are many opportunities to gather as a community – academic blues ceremony, whanau hui, sports tournaments and academic progress interviews to name but a few. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at these events. Please keep a watch on our website and communication from the college because there is plenty happening!

Let us remember during the busyness of our lives, that one of the traditions of Lent is prayer and spending time in quiet with God, and it can be as simple as - ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10).

Have a great week,

Ngā mihi nui,

Kate Nicholson

Theme for 2020 “Do the little things well’

‘Ahakoa he iti he pounamu’ (Although small it is highly treasured)