Principal's Comment - July 2024
As you will see from activities highlighted in this newsletter, Term 2 has been busy and successful.
Acknowledgements - Term 2 Split Timetable
As we wrap up Term 2, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank our students, families, and whānau for your understanding and support during a challenging time. This term, we have had to navigate a split timetable due to the recent identification of I & J Blocks as Earthquake Prone Buildings.
The safety of our students and staff is our utmost priority, and this necessitated an immediate evacuation and subsequent changes to our schedule. We recognize and apologize for the inconvenience this change may have caused for some families. Your patience and cooperation have been invaluable as we worked through this situation.
Despite these disruptions, our students have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. Their ability to continue their studies with dedication and focus, even in the face of uncertainty, has been commendable. Likewise, our teaching and support staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that learning continues with minimal disruption, displaying professionalism and commitment to our students' education.
To our parents and caregivers, your support and understanding have been crucial in helping us manage this transition smoothly. Your flexibility and willingness to adapt to new routines have not gone unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership in maintaining a stable learning environment for our students.
I am pleased to announce that the long-anticipated opening of our new flagship teaching block, Pukehinau, will allow us to return to our normal timetable from the start of Term 3.
Property News:
New Classroom Block 'Pukehinau' Opens Term 3
The construction of our new 25 classroom specialist teaching block 'Pukehinau' is almost complete and is currently being fitted out with furniture and equipment in preparation for its official opening. A dawn blessing will take place at 7:30 am on Monday, 22 July, led by Ngāi Tūāhuriri. We extend a warm invitation to our community to join us for this special event. Please assemble in the main reception area at 7:20 am.
Memorial Avenue Pick-Up-Drop-Off Zone Opens Term 3
This will be open on Monday, 22 July, as we start the new term. This is a 'waiting only' area for pick up and drop off. It is not a parking area and should work much like the airport pick up and drop off. We ask that you wait for five minutes maximum and move swiftly and carefully from the area. As there are children around please stick to the 5 KPH speed limit. The entry to this area is nearest to the traffic lights, this is to allow for traffic exiting the area to join the traffic queue up to the lights. This traffic plan has been overseen by Council traffic planners. We look forward to this reducing some of the traffic difficulties at the start and end of the day with this new facility.
Earthquake Prone Buildings I & J Block to be Demolished
The Ministry of Education have confirmed that Earthquake prone buildings I & J blocks which we evacuated from earlier in the year will be demolished, and that a new classroom block will be built in its place. A timeframe for this has yet to be established. We are now in discussions with the Ministry about the number of classroom that require to be built to accommodate our current and anticipated student population.
Acknowledging the passing of Phong Duc Nguyen (Felix)
A tree planting ceremony was held at Burnside High School’s memorial garden on Wednesday, 26 June, in memory of Burnside High School student Phong Nguyen (Felix) who passed away earlier this year. The event was attended by Phong’s whānau and BHS students and staff. The event was very special and the Totara tree planted by Phong's family, friends and teachers will be a living memorial to a young life lost to cancer.
Burnside High School Signs Sister School Agreement with Top-Tier Chinese School
We are excited to announce our new sister school agreement with Beijing No. 4 High School, one of China's most prestigious secondary schools, fostering cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and mutual understanding between our students and staff. Read the full article here.
Course Selection for 2025
This is the time of year when we start to look ahead at course choices for next year. It is an important process which allows students to carefully consider their programme for next year. It also helps us plan for staffing and key timetabling decisions. We give students and parents key information at the end of Term 2, so that over the student break you can have conversations with your teen about what subjects they wish to take next year.
The attached brochures will help you navigate course choices.
Students will receive hard copies of these in week 1 of Term 3. On Wednesday, 31 July, there will be a parents information evening for course selection. This evening will start at 6:00 pm with an introductory talk about NCEA for parents new to NCEA. Heads of faculty will be available and this year a number of tertiary institutes will be represented to help inform you of pathways after school.
Course selection takes place through Schoolpoint. This can be accessed through the Parent portal - click on KAMAR Portal then Course selection. This allows the parent and student to see all available courses with a full description of the content.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Thank you to the many parents who took the opportunity to talk to teachers at the recent online Year 11-13 Parent Teacher Conferences. Your interest and input does make a difference. Together with the Senior Reports, students should have a clear focus for the rest of the academic year.
Planning is underway for a further round of Parent Teacher Conferences for all students in Week 6, Term 3.
Save the Date- Online meetings will be held on Thursday, 22 August, and in-person conferences will be during the day of Tuesday, 27 August.
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