#wearehaeata

On February 3, 2017, Haeata Community Campus opened its doors to an enormous crowd of community and supporters with a Pōwhiri attended by ~2000 people.

Expecting 5-600 students mainly from the closing schools, we were surprised a little with an opening day roll of 954 from over 120 different schools.

With all 13 year levels starting at once, in a completely new physical environment and with a desire to reinvent the learning experience so EVERY child is successful, this is a school startup like no other.

This was not a “walk in the park” - in fact by far the most challenging year in my 25+ years of education. I am so proud as I look back over these articles and see the learning experiences our staff created for your children. I am incredibly proud and privileged to be leading this school through this opening phase, to work with an amazing group of teachers and support staff, none more so than our talented and resilient senior leadership team - Rebecca, Karyn and Mel and Debbie. 

I want to acknowledge our Establishment Board of Trustees, past and present. Some of these community members have been working with this project for 5 years, meeting 2-3 times per week during that time to create a platform for our success. Their expertise, passion and connection has been vital for our development this year and while there will be changes planned for 2018, my hope is that the desire for this school to be 'leading edge' will remain.

Their greatest gift to us comes in two parts - a very clear message that learning and wellbeing sit alongside each other as equal partners. The other which provides the backbone and heart for everything we do, is our Values. As such it made sense to create this celebration of our year, around them. They lie firmly at our core - from the classroom to the playground.

• Alofa - compassion, commitment and love, ignite action
  
• Hanga Whare - building foundation for all learners to leave school more curious than when they started
  
• Manaakitanga - every learner having a sense of belonging
  
• Service - understanding how every individual can make a difference
  
• Success - every learner crossing the stage with dignity and options

It was not a perfect year by any means - we openly acknowledge that.  We have learnt much about your children and what we need to do to get learning and wellbeing 'right' for each and every one of them. We know we need your support for this. We want to acknowledge whānau and community partners who have supported us and offered us vital and constructive feedback.

We approach 2018 with excitement - safe in the knowledge that all but three of our staff have returned. We have added new talent and together we will make 'magic happen'

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou