From the principal: 2021 Week 10, Term 2
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou
Welcome to Term 2 week 10.
Staff only day FRIDAY 2ND JULY - Culturally Responsive Learning and Teaching: A Promise for Schooling reflections
Firstly, kia ora to Matua Joe, Whaea Erin and Whaea Kylie for all of their hard work in supporting the mihi whakatau and the day in general
Secondly, a little introduction from me about Angus’ and Sonja’s journey to us for this PLD.
Back in December last year I started talking to Andy England about our hand over 2021. He told me that he had met someone over the hill who he thought would be great to work with Greymouth High School. I had to work out what Andy meant by over the hill and here a hill meant a ginormous mountain range. However, that’s ok I’m slowly getting it. Anyway, after a few more conversations with Andy we talked again about the person he had met and he told me that was Angus. As soon as I found this out I was really excited about asking him and Sonja to work with us today.
The plan came to fruition after an excellent zoom call where I must admit I was a bit of a fangirl and after that copious amounts of emails. I’d like to thank Emily for all of her amazing work in this. In between the zoom and the McFarlane’s joining us today, Angus was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday honours for his services to education, psychology and Māori.
What I love about Angus’ work, and more recently Sonja’s as well, is that it is about facilitating culturally sensitive and inclusive learning settings, steeped in wellbeing and positive relationships, for all of our rangatahi.
It was an amazing day and I would like to personally thank Angus and Sonja for not only making me think but also the three bold steps from every department on what we want to do collectively as a school
Our staff are so amazing to work with. I had told Sonja and Angus that they were such a collaborative group who already demonstrate so many of the qualities on the educultural wheel. I see our role as kaiako is to continue to develop these for our rangatahi. Aroha ana!
School Ball
Our School Ball was held on Saturday and what an amazing event! I had the best time! The hall, staffroom, annex and library were beautiful and everyone looked gorgeous. The highlights for me included the Year 13 waltz, the teachers’ band, the GTs, the food and Mr McDonald morphing into MC Donald and bringing the house down! What I love about teenagers in small town New Zealand is how they all come together and have so much fun singing and dancing to music from 2021 but also music from the 1960s! I made a great video of everyone singing along to the GTs playing Country Roads by John Denver.
So many thank yous! Firstly, to Tealy Lynch who supported our Ball Committee to put on an amazing evening. Secondly, to the Ball Committee themselves. Thirdly, to the food technology and hospitality classes led by Whaea Erin who created the most delicious food. Fourthly, to all of the teachers who helped out before, during and after the Ball. Fifthly, to all of our helpers who supported us including the PTA, the Coast Guard and the police. Finally, thank you to all of the students who attended - you did yourselves and your whanau proud.
End of Term 2 holidays
The last day of school is on Friday. In the first few days our Junior netball team is playing in the South Island Junior netball tournament in Christchurch. I am looking forward to catching up with them for a couple of games!
I hope that everyone takes some time to relax and enjoy time with their whānau. Have fun but keep safe! We will see everyone back at school on Monday 26th July.
“Whāea te iti kahurangi - strive for success”
Ngā mihi nui
Samantha Mortimer
Principal