News
Principal's Weekly Message
Kia Ora Whanau,
As you would expect this week has been a hugely rewarding and exhausting one at the same time! A huge thank you to everyone who supported our school production of Star Warts: The Umpire Strikes Back. What a fantastic turnout of whanau and friends who enjoyed the spectacle. We are incredibly proud of our talented students and dedicated staff who made it all possible. Your encouragement and enthusiasm mean the world to our students and staff, and who are also thankful of the long weekend to recover!
As you may be aware, there have been a number of recent changes in education, particularly with the introduction of the new maths curriculum. I want to reassure you that our school is managing these changes well. Our teachers have already been implementing effective strategies that support deeper understanding and confidence in maths learning. We are also well placed for the rollout of the new English curriculum, which is due out in Term Four. Planning, preparation and high-quality professional learning sessions are already underway to ensure a smooth transition that will support strong literacy outcomes for all our learners.
As you also may know, there have been changes made to the assessment and reporting expectations in education. Earlier this term, we received new guidelines, and I want to assure you that our school is managing these changes with care and consideration. At this stage of the year, we have chosen to continue with the current Levels of the Curriculum. This allows us to maintain consistency and stability in our reporting and assessment practices for our students. Looking ahead, we plan to unpack and implement the new Phases of Learning towards the end of the year, once we have a clear understanding of how best to integrate them into our school programme. Please be assured that there are no changes to your child’s learning programme or their achievement. We are committed to ensuring that every student continues to receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
Looking ahead, our School Cross Country is next Tuesday and we’re looking forward to a great day of participation. There are also our Whānau Parent Huis, (on Wednesday and Thursday) where we share and celebrate the progress of your child. Remember to make an appointment and we look forward to seeing you in school! I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Matariki Weekend, and to have fun catching up with whanau and friends. Reach out to those you haven't seen for a while and reconnect with them.
Nga Mihi
Mike Webster