Nau mai haere mai!

I want to start by expressing my gratitude for the support shown by our community in response to the strike on Thursday. We completely understand the disruption caused due to the strike, an action that isn't taken lightly. Again thank you for your support.

This week the Ministry of Education ran workshops for school leaders about the refresh of the New Zealand Curriculum. 

As Aotearoa New Zealand evolves, so must our education system to meet the needs of our children entering a new world. While many of the elements from the current 2007 New Zealand Curriculum are retained change is needed to ensure The New Zealand Curriculum:

• gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• is inclusive,
• clear about the learning that matters for our students,
• is easy to use.

For us at EOHS this is important work which will be integrated with 6 global competencies which will ensure that our students leave school as positive, contributors of society.

• Communication
• Collaboration 
• Character
• Citizenship
• Creativity 
• Critical thinking 

To ensure that we are well placed for these changes to the curriculum we have been accepted into the Maori Achievement Collaborative (Otepoti cluster). This is a group of schools in the Otago area that meet frequently to discuss Maori Achievement and how best to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This week I attended a Hui at Silverstream School in Mosgiel with principals from numerous schools in Otago. It was great to be able to discuss what different schools are doing in this space, what successes they are having, the challenges they are facing and what best practice looks like.

These meetings have given me a chance to reflect on what the school is offering our students. Are we offering learning that matters to our students? Are we giving students the opportunity to develop the six global competencies? 

I believe we are meeting these goals in a number of different ways. 

In Year 9/10 our students are engaging in a curriculum that is responsive to the needs and interests of our students. The half year modules give students agency in their learning while challenging our staff to make these courses relevant to our students and the 21st century. 

In our senior school students are offered multiple vocational pathways. Yes students can follow a traditional pathway to tertiary education through achievement standard courses but can also dive into vocational pathways.

Senior students are involved in courses and opportunities outside of the school which are equally important that connect them with the local community and their knowledge base.

Students are attending polytechnic courses in Oamaru and Dunedin developing skills and credentials in areas of interest.

Students are going out to local farms and developing skills in the primary industry while developing a network of potential employees. 

Multiple work experience opportunities are being explored from early childhood education, electrical, building, veterinarian, engineering, mechanical, the list goes on. Thank you to all the community members that have given their time, patience and experience to make this possible. It certainly takes a village to raise a child!

Nga mihi nui

Marcus Cooper

Principal/Tumuaki

East Otago High School