As the end of the year quickly approaches, this is the time to reflect back on the year we have experienced, and what we have to look forward to in 2021.

We have all experienced the turmoil and disruption that Covid brought to the world this year. We have endured 5 weeks of a level 4 lock down, we have spent more time with family and less time with friends and we have had to learn a new volcabulary. Words like pandemic, bubble, physical distancing, masks, isolation, new-normal, border closure and MIQ have been used in ways many of us wouldn’t have guessed a year ago.

On the Board we have had Vicki Edwards resign and two new board members join us. On the other hand it is exciting to welcome new members to the board and we have had Sarah Tzoumis and Natasha McClure join the board in 2020. Both Sarah and Natasha are old girls of Avonside, so it is more of a welcome back, than a welcome. We have also had a change in our student board member, as this is a yearly appointment. I would like to thank Esther Olivier for her contribution to the board over her term and at the same time we welcome Ellee Wills and I look forward to working with her in 2021.

I have been lucky to have had a number of conversations over the last couple of months with a number of people involved in the education system, and there have been some common themes of high expectations, relationships and a future focused curriculum.

At Avonside we have high expectations of our students, but we also encourage them to have high expectations of themselves and others. These high expectations are because we know that our students are capable of soo much more than they believe and our staff are constantly working to encourage our students to to try something new, go harder or go further.

Relationships are a vital part of human nature, and this has probably become event more apparent in 2020 with many of us being isolated from many people who would normally be in our lives and have had to maintain those relationships in new and different ways. The teachers and staff at Avonside work hard to build deep and meaningful relationships with their students. As our Ako teachers stay with our girls as they progress through the school, there is always a constant person that is available to both the student and the whanau. We also encourage all students to build positive relationships with other students and friends so that they are supported outside of school as well.

Our Curriculum underpins all of the teaching and learning at school. At Avonside we are working to make our curriculum more future focused, built on evidence and research, giving students voice and choice in how and what they learn. The education system that we have had previously has done a really good job for many of the students that have progressed through it, but it has also left too many students behind and this is something we all strive to improve. Our senior Leadership Team work closely with the Heads of Learning Areas and teachers in the school to make sure our curriculum will provide the skills our students need as they leave school and move into the ever changing environment that is the 21st century world.

It is always sad to farewell staff, and this year we will be loosing Ms Anita Yarwood, our Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning. Anita has been with the school for many years, and will be greatly missed by both staff and students. However, it is always positive to see staff moving on to bigger challenges and as Ms Yarwood starts 2021 as the Principal of Ao Tawhiti Discovery Unlimited School in the Christchurch CBD all of the Avonside Whanau will be wishing her well.

For those students and whanau who have come to the end of their journey with Avonside Girls High School I wish you all the best in whatever future endeavours you put your mind to. We don’t need to say good bye, just see you later because you will always be part of the Avonside whanau and will always be welcome back.

To the staff, students and whanau returning in 2021 I hope you all have a positive holiday break, get to spend time with friends and family and stay safe and healthy. We will welcome you back in the new school year refreshed and ready to live up to those high expectations and continue to build deep relationships as you engage in the future focused curriculum that Avonside will offer you.

Ngā mihi nui 

Jonathan Brooks

Board of Trustees Board Chairperson