Exams are on for seniors and I'm impressed with their approach, plus lots of outdoor learning for juniors.

Kia ora koutou

With NCEA exams in full swing, we get a good gauge of how our community is responding. In the old days, all students were expected to sit exams but now there is an element of choice - I've stated that I believe all students should sit at least a few exams to test their self management and resilience, and I asked for parent support. So I was really pleased with the high numbers of students who showed up and with the well-informed conversations I've had with them. I'm also pleased with the respectful behaviour of junior students around exam areas. 

This week we have our annual Sewell Peak Challenge for Year 10, in which we challenge every year 10 student to walk up the scarily steep hill behind Taylorville to the incredible view from the top. This gives an analogy to moving into Year 11, in that NCEA can be achieved by everyone if they keep placing one foot forward and it's better for everyone if we learn to support each other. The view is also a good reminder of the amazing place we get to call home - Tony Kokshoorn will tell some of the stories and Catherine Messenger-Weepu will give some of the pre-European stories. 

On the same day, Year 9s will all be undertaking QWest inquiries around school. They've done a lot of prep into this and it's a good learning process for students and staff alike. 

Wednesday afternoon we have a whānau hui for the kaupapa Māori pathway and anyone else interested, plus an opportunity to discuss our proposed strategic plan for Māori success.

All this week, our brave Māwhera Services Academy students will be energetically traversing the South Island in their own coast to coast. I'm looking forward to addressing them at Burnham military base on Friday.

Kia kaha everyone - two and a bit weeks to go before summer holidays.

Ngā mihi nui

Andy England

Principal