Kia ora koutou

Well, it is hard to believe that this is my very last newsletter to you all.

I have been at Heaton for 16 years and, as you can imagine, I am doing a lot of reminiscing. I arrived at Heaton, as an experienced intermediate principal at Casebrook Intermediate. The schools are very different but students are students, staff are staff and parents are parents whatever educational context you are in. I soon settled into my new “home.”

I look back and feel very proud to have played my part in developing Heaton to where it is today. We have just heard from the MOE that we are getting a brand new specialist teaching block which is fantastic news. I can only see the school going from strength to strength because the momentum and desire to further develop the school is so strong from the staff, students, BOT, community and James Griggs, the next Principal.

Thank you to our BOT led by Rebecca Wilson for their ongoing support and belief in me. It is much appreciated. We have had a hard road at times from the earthquake years, the Mosque attack, the intense persistence and hard work that has been required to get a full rebuild of all teaching spaces and now Covid.

I have many fond memories of the Heaton students. I remember 16 years ago they were not sure what to make of me, this short woman as their new Principal! I feel very proud to have been part of their lives in this critical period in their lives. I feel particularly proud of the environment that we have created which means that students feel safe and secure. They are listened to, they have many opportunities and can make choices. The relationships between the staff and students are warm, accepting and mutually respectful. This is a critical element for a successful school for young people in their early adolescence.

It is hard to find the words to describe how I feel about the Heaton staff. The relationships between us are caring, respectful and encouraging at a deep level. We are whānau. It has been an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to lead them. They are a strong, professional group of people who are dedicated to doing their absolute best for every student. I will miss them terribly.

Lastly, my very best wishes to everyone who is part of the Heaton community. I have gained far more from my involvement with you, than you have from me and I thank you all for that. I look forward to hearing about successes in the future and coming along to the opening of our new buildings.

After a bit of a break, I will be going on to work as an educational psychologist, supporting young people and their whānau.

Enjoy a very relaxing break with your whānau. We all deserve it!.

Ngā mihi nui

Andrea Knight, Tumuaki