END of YEAR MESSAGE from Pauline Cornwell – Principal

The 2021 year has been one of surprises, challenges and triumphs. When we consider the learning it has been about confirming values, building resilience and working together.

Working together with families has been the theme. Staff, teachers, teacher aides and administration staff made sure we continued to connect with students and their families on a regular basis during lockdown. We continued to provide learning, ensured access to devices and hard copy learning packs and worked to support with food and resources to those whanau needing additional support. Having expected an interruption to achievement and progress we are pleased to announce that most students have continued to make excellent progress; especially those in Year 8.

Students and teachers have had to learn to work together online and over 2021 teachers have been participating in professional development to ensure they have strategies and skills to do this. Our school is well set up, thanks to the Boards determination, with devices available for every student and increasing filming and recording facilities in classes. We have monitored student wellbeing with SKODEL, an online survey tool and ensured all students have free access to Maths Whizz and a number of other online learning tools.

We have been humbled by the generosity of our community who have provided support. A range of community groups have provided food, wifi, sports equipment, funds to support and improve opportunities for our children during a challenging time. Despite the challenges we have witnessed determination of staff and students and the willingness to ‘engage’ from whanau.

As our Year 8 students leave our school and go to secondary school we are assured that they, and their families, are well aware of what they know and how they learn best. This group of students, because of the lockdowns, are ready to ‘succeed’ and they know that it is their choice to be successful.

We wish you a peaceful, relaxing, and safe, holiday break. We hope you enjoy summer and that our current Year 7 students return ‘ready’ – to lead, to help, to be kind, to show us again the best things about our students and community.