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Nga mihi nui ki a koutou

As we all know we are back at Level 2. We are so fortunate to be here in the West Coast! This week has been a good week in terms of “getting things done” at school but we are looking forward to week 6 and being back at Level 1. Thank you again for all your support with our young people and making sure that we all behave in responsible ways to keep us all safe.

I am now reflecting on last week and the great things that happened since our last newsletter. On Thursday we held our first of the year whānau hui for all Ngā Here Kahikatea rangatahi. The whare was full to the brink! It was a fantastic experience and I was so proud of all the rangatahi and the progress they have made. A massive thank you to Kylie, Joe, Gordie and the other kaiako who are making this work well for our rangatahi. Also ka pai to those who made the kai! There are many exciting things happening in Ngā Here Kahikatea including a planned hangi and te reo classes on a Saturday for whānau. Thank you to all whānau gave us feedback with some great suggestions for future areas of learning.

As you will already know we decided to cancel our year 9 information evening. Kiri Russell, our Kaitakawaenga/School-Home Partnership Promoter, has already or is in the process of contacting all year 9 families with a check-in phone call to see how everything is going. Kiri does such a great job for us in supporting all of you. If you haven’t had a call from her yet you will do in the near future.

We also have our Junior Year 9 &10 parent/teacher interviews on Thursday 25th March from 4.15 to 7.30pm for you to meet everyone face to face.

However, if you would like to contact the Year 9 dean and talk to him directly you can call school and ask for Martin McDonald or email him mcdonaldm@greyhigh.school.nz

Myself, Jayne Wheeler (DP) and Kylie Bellis (Kaiako Māori) took part in a Zoom meeting with Angus and Sophie McFarlane on Friday around support for professional learning for teachers. I must admit it was a bit of a fan girl meeting for me as I have read a number of articles and books by Angus McFarlane, as well as hear him speak, and he has been very influential on my thinking. They were both so kind and made us all feel excited about our future learning.

This Monday I met with our Mayor Tania Gibson. We both want to make sure that Greymouth is a great place to learn and live and I am very much looking forward to working with her and the local council.

West Coast Secondary Schools Athletics is on Tuesday 9th March for all of those who qualified via GHS Athletics Day. It should be a great day and I wish all of the athletes involved to do their best. Kia kaha!

Heads up that Kapa Haka started this week on Tuesday. We are very excited for this to be happening and very much looking forward to all of the amazing things that come out of it. Please remember that kapa haka is for anyone who is interested at Grey High. This term it is during periods 3 and 4 on a Tuesday.

“Whāea te iti kahurangi - strive for success”

Nāku noa, nā

Samantha Mortimer

Principal