We are really pleased to be able to announce and warmly welcome our new board members Sane Walker and Justin Cherry. Welcome back Katy Bexley, Jini Seal, Shirvani Mudaly, and our staff representative Clare Letting.

Thank you to our parents who put their names forward for election but were unsuccessful this time. I would like to acknowledge and express sincere gratitude to our two long-standing board members, who resigned from their positions - our recent Presiding Member (Board Chair) Mark Markovina, who wholeheartedly committed 9 years and Lance Norman - the previous Board Chair and Finance Chair who was on the board for 15 years. Both have been invaluable mentors to me during my principalship. Thank you also to Chris Clark, who held the Property portfolio for the last three years, as your time with us has been appreciated.

The SLT (Senior Leadership Team) - Deputy Principals - Christine Pasfield and Brad Hill, and I attended the NZPF Conference - Aoteraroa Ki Te Whai Ao! (Aotearoa and Beyond) in Christchurch (Ōtautahi) this week with 900 principals and SLTs from across Aotearoa. The experience of taking time away from school to learn is extremely important for our school leaders and provides time to learn, think, be challenged, and plan for the future. The speakers were thought-provoking, and highly motivating, but also affirmed the teaching and learning at Hobsonville School. 

The opening Kapa Haka performance by Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kura Whakapūmau I te Reo Tūturu ki Waitaha was literally breathtaking and a great privilege to witness these talented young people perform. Young adults bravely shared their experiences of their schooling to help us better understand the importance of creating Inclusive environments in our schools. Presenter Kaila Colbin's keynote presentation "The Future We're Living Into" challenged our thinking about how we lead. Dr Siouxsie Wiles presentation "Beyond the Pandemic: Where to From Here?" reinforced the volatility of the world environment, the devasting effects of long Covid, and the new normal we must live in.  Dr. Farah Palmer's "Leading From the Front Row" seriously challenged our perceptions and our last keynote presentation "Leadership - There's a Story to be Told" by Scott Robertson took leadership into the rugby arena in a passionate, highly energised, and hilarious manner.  Professor Russell Bishop's presentation "Leading to the NorthEast - How to Solve the Literacy Crisis in Two Years", was the stand out for me, and very affirming for the way we teach literacy at Hobsonville School. We have returned energised!! 

(Maybe not quite like Scott Robinson!!)

Ngā mihi nui 

Anne Leitch