Principal's Message T3 Wk 6

Kia ora

I hope that this message finds you well. It is hard to believe that we are now well into the second half of the term. It is the business end of the school year for our senior students as pressure starts to mount and decisions are being made about next steps in their future pathways. It is a time for careful consideration to be made and plans to be developed to ensure their personal success. The Board of Trustees has also been busy working away in the background on maintaining pressure to ensure that we continue to make some progress, albeit slow, on our redevelopment.

Redevelopment Update - Ground is NOT unstable

Despite what the Minister of Education, Jan Tinetti, stated in Parliament, the ground the school sits on is NOT unstable. This has been confirmed in writing by the Ministry of Education. For those of us who live in the area, we all know that high water tables and excessive groundwater is an issue which needs to be dealt with when building on the Canterbury Plains. Our school site is no exception to this rule. We have been working through resource consenting issues since December last year and appears some progress has been made. This will see some work hopefully starting in Mid-September on a groundwater pipe to ensure that during the building process the site can be dewatered. The Board of Trustees has come to a consensus with the Ministry of Education over what will be an acceptable staged build process and timelines for the actual school build have now had to be revised. There is also the process of obtaining extra finances from the Government (whoever that may be post-October) in order to ensure that the new school can be built. This has been an extremely frustrating process for all of us who have been involved. The detailed design plans have been finalised and signed off months ago and we have been basically sitting in limbo at the mercy of organisations which approve finances and resource consents. In the meantime, staff and students are having to work and learn in buildings which are not fit for 21st century learning. Under our original timelines we should be moving into a new school next year, but obviously this will not be the case and it means that we are going to have to work in our current buildings for several years to come. This has been/is/will be hugely unfair on staff and students. A lick of paint can only go so far to lift everyone's spirits and for them to feel like they are being cared and looked after. It is imperative for our community that this redevelopment happens and it is important that the voice of our community members is being heard by local elected officials to ensure that we are seen as a high priority when it comes to financing the project. Despite all of this I remain positive and enthusiastic about the amazing young people who attend our school.

Winter Sports

As winter sports come to a close this week, I want to congratulate all of the students who participated and say a huge "thank you" to the staff and volunteers who gave up their time to ensure that our young people have the opportunity to be active and engage in sport. This year we saw more students than ever, particularly students in the junior school, participate in sports. Long may this continue! 

I want to wish our Senior A Netball Team well as they travel to the South Island Secondary Schools Tournament this weekend. I know that all of their preparation and hardwork during the season will have laid a strong foundation for how the team performs next week and that they will act as fantastic ambassadors for our kura. Again a huge thank you to all of the adults who have supported the team during the season.

Our plans are to continue to build and strengthen sports, and the access our students have to sports, over the coming years is an area that we can work together as a community, particularly as a small rural school we cannot do this alone.

This year saw over 200 students take part in the annual ski trip. It was a fantastic day, perfect weather and fresh powder! Well done to everyone who took part in the trip and to Mrs. Ley for organising it. The ski trip has become so popular for the past few years that we have been in discussions about how we can build on this and the strong interest in snow sports. So watch this space!

Along with sports, there has never before been such a diverse range of activities and clubs available for our students to be involved in. There is something for everyone! I constantly am encouraging students to get involved in extra-curricular activities, as research shows there is a strong link between students who positively engage in the wider-life of a school and their academic achievement.

Student Social Events

There are multiple student social events this term which will see the opportunity for all students across the school to attend some form of an event. Last night the Year 7 & 8's had the opportunity to attend a disco. It will be the turn of the Year 9 & 10 students on 15th September for the Semi-Formal while the Senior Formal for senior students takes place at the end of the next holidays. All of these events are organised by students for students (with teacher support). I am very proud of the way that our students take up these opportunities to build their leadership capacity and capability while giving back to their school community. Well done to all involved!

International Students

It has been a busy term for international students with multiple groups arriving from Japan, Thailand and China. The hard work we have been doing in this space is starting to show dividends and we already have 21 long-term students from Japan, Thailand, China, Brazil and Germany already booked in to join us at the beginning of next year! Mrs. Bonnett and I will be away for two weeks at the end of this term as we will be overseas exploring new markets for international students. Schools in New Zealand have long been underfunded and it has been the expectation that schools find "locally raised funds" as alternative funding streams. Added to this are the costs associated with moving into a brand new school in a couple of years time. We get a grant for fixtures and furniture but it will in no way come close to covering the cost of new furniture and "nice to haves". We have estimated that we need to raise at least $1 Million over the next 4-5 years in order to equip the new school to the level our students deserve. One of the few ways we can raise this kind of money is through international students. Funding generated from international students is also used for extra staffing and teacher aides. Our international students are therefore critical to the future financial security of our kura. Next year we will have more international students than we have ever before and our school will become an even more diverse place which we will be stronger for! Our students, and community, do an amazing job looking after and supporting our international students which I am very thankful for.

Senior Exams

Our core business as a school is teaching and learning. We are fast approaching Senior Exam Week (4th-8th September). It is critical that students prepare themselves for these practice exams as these will form the basis for a derived grade should something occur which means a student cannot sit their external exam. There will be an opportunity for parents of senior students in the final week of school to meet with subject teachers to discuss the exam results and what work may need to be accomplished over the holidays to ensure that students are fully prepared for the external exams. Luck has nothing to do with exams. Students need to be planned, prepared, resilient and ready to take on whatever may or may not be examined.

Earlier this year during an assembly in April I based my speech around the following whakataukī:

Tē tōia, tē haumatia

Nothing can be achieved without a plan, workforce and a way of doing things.

This whakatauki speaks to the importance of having a ‘plan of attack’. It could be used to guide conversation or lead a discussion in the planning of an event or community initiative.

The context I used it in relation to was student's approach to ensuring they met deadlines, completed projects for Exhibition Evening and being adequately prepared. It is now time for our senior students to have a plan of attack around the final few weeks of school and their academic achievement.

In May I followed this up with an assembly speech about "What makes a good student" and said that firstly a good student possesses a positive attitude towards learning. They understand that education is a privilege and approach it with enthusiasm and an open mind. They recognize that every lesson, assignment, and test is an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills. With this positive mindset, challenges become stepping stones for growth rather than obstacles to be feared. By embracing a love for learning, good students inspire others and create a supportive learning environment.

Secondly, good students exhibit discipline and effective time management. They understand the importance of balancing their academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities and personal life. They prioritize their tasks, set realistic goals, and adhere to deadlines. Procrastination is their nemesis, and they tackle it head-on. They create study schedules, break down complex tasks into manageable parts, and seek help when needed. Through discipline and time management, good students cultivate a strong work ethic and achieve their full potential.

Next, good students actively engage in their education. They participate in class discussions, ask questions, and seek clarification when something is unclear. They take ownership of their learning journey and go beyond the minimum requirements. They delve into additional resources, explore different perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills. By engaging actively, good students develop a deep understanding of the subject matter and become lifelong learners.

Furthermore, good students maintain excellent organizational skills. They keep track of their assignments, notes, and deadlines. They utilize tools such as planners, calendars, or digital apps to stay organized. Their workspaces are tidy and conducive to learning. By staying organized, they minimize stress, enhance productivity, and maximize their potential for success.

Another important quality of a good student is respect for teachers and peers. They treat their teachers with respect, recognizing their expertise and dedication. They actively listen, follow instructions, and participate in classroom activities. They also value their peers, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork. Good students understand that everyone has unique strengths and perspectives, and they appreciate the diversity within their educational community.

Lastly, good students take care of their physical and mental well-being. They understand that a healthy body and mind are crucial for optimal performance. They prioritize sleep, exercise regularly, and maintain a balanced diet. They also recognize the importance of stress management and self-care. By nurturing their well-being, good students are better equipped to handle the demands of their academic pursuits.

Stress and being nervous (commonly now referred to as "anxiety") about exams are a natural response to unknown. This can be overcome and harnessed as a strength by being prepared. Our senior students need to use their remaining time at school, including the school holidays, to ensure that they achieve their individual academic goals and that the door is wide open for them to move onto the next steps of their individual pathways.

This is my final message for this term as I will be travelling overseas when the next newsletter makes its way to you. By the time I get back from overseas I hope I will have more news to be able to report to you in relation to the redevelopment and student successes. Until then I hope that you stay safe and well! 

Ngā mihi

Ronan Bass

Tumuaki/Principal