I want to bring some balance to the recent articles published in the Press and Stuff. 

Kia ora Whānau

In responding to the key issues raised in the media recently, I have included what I believe to be a more rounded perspective.

Fighting..

We have zero-tolerance for fighting at Haeata.

What we know

• the numbers of fights at school have decreased significantly this year

• fights still happen outside of school

• we communicate with whānau of students involved, every time we are aware of fights

• we are committed to a culture of non-violence in and outside of school

• we are committed to educating our young people in ways to deal with disagreement that do not involve violence

It is our belief that a significant portion of this is caused by a combination of factors, including

• the size of our opening roll (more than we expected by 40-50%)

• the diversity of our student population (students from 120+ different schools)

• the level of hardship and challenge faced by a significant portion of our student community and whānau, which could be further explained by

  • ongoing post-quake impact on health and wellbeing, of families and students

  • intergenerational unemployment and associated factors

To support the impact described above, our Hauora (Wellbeing) Team includes social workers, a guidance counsellor, our own nurse in addition to government contracted nursing, community liaison staff, special education needs support staff, and a whānau ora navigator. They work in unison to support whānau and students in need.

The Board of Trustees have also recently commissioned a high level Mental Health Report to scope the need for this provision in our kura. This is an enormous commitment financially, supporting their belief that if students are not ‘well’, they can not learn.

Our processes and systems

• we do not condone fighting, violence of any nature or bullying from any member of our school community.

• our Behaviour Management and Bullying policies are available on our website (https://www.haeata.school.nz/policies) and we invite whānau to contact us if there are issues

• we record all incidents

• we have and will continue to stand down and suspend students for such acts if we do not see changes in behaviour.

Behaviour Management

• We adopt a Restorative Practices approach to support students to behave in appropriate ways including the resolution of conflict

• The heart of this approach is that students accept responsibility for their actions. They acknowledge the impact their actions have had on others and are involved in creating and implementing solutions to put things right.

• We have had some outstanding restorative conversations and resolutions with students in conflict, using this approach.

• We have prevented altercations by adopting this approach.

Flight...

What we know

• Students have left Haeata during the year to other schools in and beyond Christchurch

• Many other students have enrolled at Haeata since the year started

• Historically less than 40% of school-aged children attended school in Aranui and there are high levels of movement in and out of the community

• Some have left because they do not like the style of learning

• There are many other reasons why families have left that are not related to their satisfaction with their Haeata experience

• Parents make choices about education for their children, based on their own experiences.

About the Haeata learning experience

• The Haeata learning experience can be different for some students and parents

• Our expectation through our Values is that ALL students will learn and experience success https://www.haeata.school.nz/values

• Haeata views success holistically - growing confident young people with skills and mindsets that are adaptable and flexible to enable them to cope with their lives beyond school

• We will personalise learning for your child as much as we can because this creates meaning for them and therefore increased engagement

• Students talk about growing confidence and familiarity with this style of learning

• Our commitment is that students will pass through our school and leave with meaningful pathways that are created, negotiated and supported by whānau, student and school.

• Your child is unique and we wish to treat them as such - creating plans that are solely for them

In closing, I want to draw your attention to the many and varied successes that happen every day at Haeata. If you are connected to our Facebook Page (Haeata Community Campus), you will be up to date. For those who are not, I have listed a few below

• Ihutai internship opportunities at Living Springs

• Rugby League Team in semi finals at National Tournament in Auckland - final being played today

• Kōrepo ‘Celebration of Learning’ event - Thursday 31 August

• Kaunuku ‘Making a Difference’ kaupapa and the service projects they are undertaking

• Our Kapahaka and Polyclub groups and their various performances regionally

• The whānau engagement in Kōmanawa is outstanding.

• The haka tautoko and support for our League boys as they left for their regional final last week

• The incredible ski trip - a first for many of our Hikuawa ākonga

• 13 of our staff asked to present their work, ideas and thinking at ULearn 2017, NZ’s largest education conference in October holidays

• ‘Proud Brown’ - our Pasifika Band - “Best Vocals” at Pasifika Beats in finals held recently in Auckland

• The connections our kaiako and ākonga are making across hapori - coaching sports teams and cultural groups, and getting involved in learning projects together.

As a new school in a community very loyal to their home schools, Haeata was always going to be a challenging prospect. We are just 27 weeks into this massive project so we ask you to celebrate the ‘wins’ we have created in that time, with us.

We are trying to effect change. Our absolute belief is that education must change in order to prepare your children for their futures which will be vastly different from yours and therefore will require very different skills and mindsets.

We have employed exceptional quality people to all roles at Haeata - support staff, kaiāwhina (learning assistants), kaiako (teachers), kaiārahi (middle leaders) and kaihautū (senior leaders). All of these people have one thing in common - an absolute passion to be here at Haeata and to progress your children in their learning.

Be under no illusion, all our energy and expertise is being channeled into making this a school you can all be proud of - that produces amazing outcomes for your children. We need your support, your positivity as well as your critique, in order to achieve that.

We are looking forward to working with you, to create a school this community deserves.

Ngā mihi

Andy Kai Fong