News
Principal's Weekly Message
Kia Ora Whanau,
As we settle into the eighth week of the term, the warm and caring spirit that defines our Kura is as strong as ever. It is wonderful to see our tamariki maintaining their focus, kindness, and dedication to their learning as the winter mornings settle in. There is a great sense of energy around the school, and we couldn’t be prouder of how our students are supporting one another.
Our weekly tradition of celebrating high-quality student mahi at our Formal Assemblies continues to be a highlight for us all. This week, we are once again celebrating some absolutely exceptional creative writing pieces from Rooms 8 from Te Whanau o Ohinemataroa and 19 in Te Whanau o Wairere.
The depth of expression, incredible descriptive language, and the sheer effort our young writers have poured into their work is fantastic to see. Taking such pride in their writing and standing tall to share it with the wider school takes real courage and dedication. Well done, Rooms 8 and 19 keep up the amazing work!
As this newsletter goes out, our school Rock Climbing team is currently scaling new heights at the Super 11 Rock Climbing Event. These students have been training hard and are incredibly excited to test their skills and resilience on the walls. We wish the entire team the absolute best of luck! A huge thank you to Dr. Sarah Morgan for her fantastic guidance, encouragement, and support in preparing the team for this competition.
This week, our Senior Leadership Team attended the annual NZAIMS (New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schooling) Conference. It was a highly focused three days of professional learning that directly addressed what is "on top" for Intermediate Schools in the current educational climate. It proved to be a thoroughly worthwhile conference, providing us with a valuable opportunity to collaborate with other leaders, discuss innovative practices, and bring fresh ideas back to Whakatāne Intermediate to continue setting our students up for success.
The excitement around the school is tangible as we prepare for next week's annual Sports and Academic Exchange with our good friends at Gisborne Intermediate. This year’s edition is being hosted down in Gisborne, and our students are counting down the days. This longstanding exchange is always a massive highlight of the year, and we are truly looking forward to reconnecting with our Gisborne friends, competing with sportsmanship, and making lasting memories.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support in everything we do.
Have a safe, warm, and happy weekend with your whanau.
Nga Mihi,
Mike Webster
Principal