12 May 2023

Tohaina ō painga ki te ao

(Share your gifts with the world)

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa

I would like to welcome you all back to Term 2.  A special welcome to those families and students who have started with us over the last couple of weeks.  When I undertake new enrolments and I am always interested in where families come from.  Interestingly, of the 10 new enrolments that I recently completed, the students all came from overseas.  Some of the countries include: Singapore, Philippines, South Africa, India, Tonga and Indonesia.  At last count we have 42 different nationalities in our school, which makes us a good reflection of cosmopolitan Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The whakataukī I have shared above, I believe is a reflection of our students. Students all have gifts and many of them find different forums to put them on display.  As I write this message, Ohora Kawana is competing at Ngā Manu Kōrero competitions, Susannah Sam won a $250 travel voucher when her team placed first in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) business competition, the Kapa Haka Rōpū are having their 4^th Noho Marae this weekend as they prepare for the regionals, and there have been some excellent sports results (please see here ). The school ball, a highlight of the school year is Saturday June 10 and to date we have sold over 320 tickets

Last week the cast of the school production High School Musical were away for a three day camp.  The performances will be held on Tuesday 30 May to Friday June 3^rd and the details are below.

Industrial action continues as the Teacher’s Union, the PPTA and Te Mahau (Ministry of Education) continue to negotiate the teacher’s contract which expired 30 June 2022.  Secondary school principals are not on this contract so I am not familiar with the finer details of the negotiations.  However, my observations are these. My colleagues and I are finding it significantly harder to staff our school.  Younger staff members who could not travel during COVID-19 are now in a position to travel and are doing so.  The Universities who train teachers are finding that there is a downturn in numbers.  Recruiting staff from overseas is not particularly easy because of the entry requirements.  The teaching profession is aging and retirements are on the increase. Combined with these factors, there is significant change going on in schools, The Curriculum Refresh, the introduction of the new Literacy and Numeracy Standards, the changes to NCEA, the Aotearoa Histories curriculum.  There is also a lack of access to services for students who have various health and behaviour needs.  The profession certainly needs to be made attractive to potential teachers (when I started teaching, a teacher’s salary was the same as a Member of Parliament!). It is my sincere hope that the new contract when it is agreed upon, addresses many of these issues.

I would like to advise you that rostering home next is:

​Tuesday 16 May - Year 9                Wednesday 17 May - Year 10 

I am pleased to advise you that Jasmax, an architectural firm with offices throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand has been awarded the contract by Te Mahau (Ministry of Education) to undertake the new, expanded masterplan for the school’s facilities and buildings.  We had an initial meeting with them last week and I am extremely pleased that we can start working towards building our new library, science labs and other classrooms.

The school will be closed Monday June 5^th (Kings Birthday), and Tuesday June 6^th (Mid-term break).

I look forward to seeing you at the production.

Ngā manaakitanga

Grant Jones

Tumuaki