Principal’s Notes – July 2024

It has been a very busy Term 2!

Thank you for your support with our focus on attendance and lateness as highlighted in our first newsletter for the term. Our average attendance has remained stable across the term.

We held a very successful School Ball at the Ellerslie Convention Centre. I wish to thank all the staff and student leaders who organised this amazing event. A massive thank you to all the staff who attended on the night and to our students who made it such an enjoyable and successful occasion.

We have competed and participated in a range of co-curricular and extra- curricular activities this term from the Big Sing to You Dance, the Kapa Haka Nationals, Ngā Manu Kōrero Regional speech competition, Rock Quest, the Year 12 Drama production to name but a few. Our success at these competitions is a reflection of all the hard work our staff, and families put in to support our students to continue to have access to a wide range of opportunities and to participate and compete at the highest levels.

Auckland Transport continues to monitor our students and the need for safe behaviour when using both the school bus and other public transport. MOTAT is also concerned about some of the behaviour of our students around the trams, particularly after school. Where possible we work with students who can be identified and their families. We ask for your support by emphasising the importance of safety around both buses and trams for all our students.

Looking ahead to Term 3 it is a very important term for all our Year 12 and 13 students, and Year 11 Waiōrea students with their derived grade exams at the end of Term 3. In the event of needing these grades at the end of the year in case of an unexpected event I would like to emphasise how important these exams are.

Our Year 10’s will also have their first attempt and the literacy and numeracy co-requisites in Term 3 and all subject areas are working hard to incorporate functional numeracy and literacy activities that mirror these national assessments in their lessons. Homework Centre tutorials directly focussed on these key skills will run in Term 3. Keep an eye out for the dates and times at the beginning of next term.

Our homework centres continue to go from strength to strength and we are able to offer a wide range of subject expertise from both teachers and senior students on a Wednesday afternoon on Level 1 of the KHCL and Waioteao. Please get in touch with the Learning Centre if your child would like to attend the Homework Centre.

Thank you for your support with our whānau class collection for the Auckland City Mission appeal; donations will be collected tomorrow (Thursday 4th July 2024).

And personally from me a big thank you to all our staff and students for all their hard work in Term 2. We look forward to welcoming Ivan back in Term 3. I hope that you all had a wonderful Matariki last weekend and I wish you all a restful term break.

Julie Debreceny
Acting Principal