It has been an exciting start to the year here at Dunstan High School. We have welcomed 148 new students and 3 new staff members and are focussed on ensuring all our new arrivals are comfortable in their new environment, are building strong connections, and that all our students are engaged in relevant and challenging learning programmes.

To date we are delighted with how our new staff and students are settling and I am positive that all will make a positive contribution to life at Dunstan High School. At the same time I need to acknowledge that it can take a while for some students to feel comfortable and engaged; this is normal, so this settling process is something that is ongoing, particularly through the next few weeks.

Our provisional NCEA results, received a few days ago, are reasonably positive. While our results will increase as reassessments are completed, overall results are below (with current national averages in brackets):

Level One: 82.5% (68.6%)

Level Two: 84.3% (76.1%)

Level Three: 69.5% (65.5%)

University Entrance: 52.6% (46.8%)

We had a number of students who achieved outstanding results which reflects the hard work put in by staff and students, well done to you all! Of course there are always areas to do better and we are particularly looking at how to lift our Level 3 results and some of our excellence endorsements; especially at Level 3.

Thanks to all families who attended our Mihi Whakatau (welcome) for new students last week and also to those who attended the Cyber Safety Parent evening. John Parsons ran sessions not only for parents but also students and staff throughout the day (Tuesday) and his presentation provided some really helpful tips, as we all try and navigate our way through the challenges thrown up by things such as social media and gaming.

With our Swimming Sports this week, along with Athletics Sports and Year 9 House Evenings looming over the next few weeks, we are looking forward to making connections and strengthening relationships to help set the foundation for an outstanding year of learning and growth for all. All the best for the year ahead!

No reira tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa