He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa, warm greetings to you all.

We hope you have had a positive week with your family and friends. We were very grateful that the weather improved this week for our 160 Year 10 students, who are at Finlay Park for their final Albany Junior High School outdoor adventure experience.

We would like to extend congratulations to all our Year 10 students who also attended and participated in our Exam Experience last week. We felt such pride and encouragement by the number of Year 10 students who took part in this experience opportunity with purpose and enthusiasm. Our supervising teachers were very impressed with the student focus and conduct. Well done everyone!

Please remember that we have two Ministry of Education Accord Teacher Only days scheduled on Friday 25 November, and the following Monday 28 November. During these two days our teachers examine the New Zealand Curriculum changes for the nationwide refresh in 2023. Furthermore, our staff will be reviewing our school vision and values. We will be seeking student and parent input very soon.

Next Saturday 12 November we have our first school Spring Gala Day on our field. Gala Day is fundraising to reopen our playground, which has sadly been closed due to needing a safety upgrade. We have an action packed main stage programme, diverse stalls, face painting, bouncy castles, carnival games and food trucks, all operating from 9am - 2pm. We would love to see you and your families come and enjoy this time with us and our community.

I hope to see you all next Saturday, and until then, enjoy your weekend.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. Success is not the work of one but the work of many.

Take care whanau.

Cushla Shepherd, Principal / Tumuaki

Albany Junior High School