As the first term of 2021 comes to a close it marks two full years we have been in our new campus that we share with Shirley Boys High School and Ferndale School. These two years have been full of the unexpected, and thankfully 2021 has been much more stable for staff and students.

In term 2 Mrs Hume will be taking a sabbatical and using this time for professional development. This sabbatical was actually planned for term 2 2020, but due to Covid-19 and the uncertainty at the time it was not possible for Mrs Hume to take the sabbatical at that time, and like other principals in the same situation postponed this for a year. The Board is fully supportive of the opportunity for Mrs Hume to have this time outside of the school to engage in professional development and we look forward to the learnings she is able to bring back to Avonside. In her absence Mrs Clegg will be Acting Principal for the term, and a number of other staff have stepped up to acting roles for the term to ensure we are still able to provide the support for our students.

We have also regretfully accepted the resignation of Shaun Edwards-Brown as a board member on the Avonside Girls High School Board. Shaun has been a board member since 2019 and has made a significant contribution to the Board over this time, especially with his experience as a teacher, head of department and dean at another high school.

The opening of a ‘travel bubble’ with Australia is another step towards normality for New Zealand as a whole. However, it is important that we all continue to follow the advice from the Ministry of Health around hand washing, using the Covid-19 Tracer App etc. It is also worth remembering that for any families planning to travel to Australia over school holidays that the quarantine free travel is not guaranteed and depending on risk assessments by the Ministry of Health there may be a requirement to quarantine on return and there is no guarantee of available MIQ spaces. This would potentially have an effect on student attendance, and we would recommend that if this situation occurs please communicate with your daughters Ako Teacher as soon as possible.

Ngā mihi nui

Jonathan Brooks
tiamana o te poari Te Kura Kohine o Ōtākaro
Avonside Girls High School Board Chair