Our MSA students at their final march out parade held on Friday 25 November in front of parents/whanau, staff and students.

Kia ora koutou katoa

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou

I wasn’t expecting to be writing this newsletter this week but unfortunately my surgery has been postponed to next year. Although I am obviously not happy about this, I had to make a conscious decision to change my mind set and focus on the positives about being here for the end of term. The main positive reason is that I get to be part of senior and junior prize givings and Year 13s leavers dinners. Our rangatahi are the reason we do this job and so I am very happy to be there celebrating their success!

Hopefully, I will be back on my feet when the whole school starts in February. In the short time I won’t be around the school will be in the safe hands of our Deputy Principal Jayne Wheeler, supported by Rowan Haigh, Ian Johnson and Raewyn McKnight.

Accord Days

On Tuesday we had a day of learning together as a staff. This included preparing for next year: NCEA changes and the NZ Curriculum refresh. We also spent some time continuing our learning journey around Restorative Practices and working with Ngāti Waewae.

On Wednesday I was fortunate enough to be able to join our whole staff at the Arahura Marae. It was an amazing experience and even better because most of us were there to connect with our learning together. Ngā mihi to Ariana Stevens and Tihou Bazire Messenger Weepu for all of their mahi to support our learning.

Week 8

This is going to be a really busy week with our Junior students taking part in 2050 project, Senior Prizegiving, Junior Prizegiving and Year 13 Leavers dinner.

On Friday 9th November we are opening the school to all of our Senior Students to support them with finishing off any NCEA assessments. This year has been so disruptive to them all and we want to support them with as many opportunities as possible to be successful.

School is open for any junior students who need supervising.

School Docs and reviewing School Policies

A reminder that we termly review our school policies in line with new legislation. Please check out our Policies page through School Docs and if you would like to review any of the Term 4 topics please do so.

On the GHS website, click on the Our School Tab, Scroll down to Our Policies and Procedures and follow the instructions from there.

PUM - Paid Union Meeting

As part of our Collective Agreement we have a PUM this week on Friday 2nd December during period 5. School will shut at lunch time at 1.25 but we will supervise any students who need to stay at school and buses will run as normal.

Please see the “Week to Be” for other key dates

If you have any comments please feel free to email the office at office@greyhigh.school.nz

“Whāea te iti kahurangi - strive for success”

Ngā mihi nui

Samantha Mortimer

Principal