by AJHS

Tēnā koutou katoa, parents, caregivers, whānau and students,

   /   

A warm welcome back to Term 2. 

Thank you for your support last Monday of our Albany Schools Community of Learning, Teacher Only Day. There was much value in bringing our primary, junior, and secondary schools together to collectively learn and collaborate with expert practitioners, planning and developing our teaching vision for our Albany community.

Further, I hope you had a restful Anzac Day, and had the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of our forebears. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. We will remember them.

We were very excited to meet many of our families on Wednesday afternoon and evening during our student learning conferences, despite the weather. Thank you for supporting your child(ren) in their learning progress and school life. We look forward to seeing the second cohort on Thursday 18th May.

We recognise that there have been disruptions to school life with continued teacher industrial actions. The Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) negotiations have been ongoing for almost one year, and the industrial action is about making the statement that teaching conditions and pay rates have to improve now. Please note that no individual school makes a decision to set a strike day or action. The dates are set by the PPTA union, and some days, strikes or rostering students home can differ across New Zealand regions. Each proposed date will be confirmed to parents prior to the day. Below is the programme of the strike action this term:

  • Thursday 11 May: Full day strike for all students (to be confirmed on Monday 8 May)

  • Tuesday 16 May: Year 9 students rostered home*

  • Wednesday 17 May: Year 10 students rostered home*

  • Tuesday 6 June: Year 10 students rostered home*

  • Thursday 8 June: Year 9 students rostered home*

*Confirmed

This term the New Zealand Police Youth Officers (in association with guest trainers and speakers), are running their BLAST (Blue Light Adventure and Skills Training) programme with a large group of our female students 2 mornings per week. The Blast programme is a fantastic opportunity for the police to connect with our youth (and this is why you may see a fleet of police cars outside the school on these mornings)!

It’s shaping up to be another term of abundant learning opportunities, so please do take the time to read the fortnightly e-newsletter and any other AJHS communication to keep updated. This is imperative, given some parents missed our numerous communications regarding our Parent/Teacher conferences with our early school finish.

Important Dates Term 2:

  • Strike Dates (please see above)

  • Thursday 18 May: Parent / Teacher Conferences, 2pm - 7pm *Please book your session (details on booking have been emailed to you)

  • Tuesday 23 May: Māori & Pasifika Hui / Whanau Forum

  • Monday 5 June: King's Birthday (public holiday)

  • June 19-23: School Production of Mamma Mia


Enjoy your weekend, and we look forward to connecting with you over the next few weeks. Take care.

Cushla Shepherd, Principal/Tumuaki

Albany Junior High School