Kia Ora, Talofa, Malo E Lelei, Kia Orana, Kamusta, Hei

Welcome to the new look 2020.

Welcome to Teiki Kāhui and it’s learning advisors Miss Chelsea Birtch, Mr Michael Collins, Whaea Raewyn (Davis), Mr Luke Taylor and myself. Welcome to our newbies who are starting out their learning journeys and finding their feet. Welcome back to our regulars who are already making the most amazing leaders and role models.

The start of the year has been a mammoth task with both shifting and adjusting into the new Kāhui not only from our students but staff as well. We welcome the challenge and new opportunities it will bring. New classrooms, new building layouts and new staff, new ways of learning (not to mention new areas to get lost in!).

Four weeks in and the majority of our tamariki are making really good choices and prioritising their learning. It’s great to see the positive attitudes they bring to their learning and their constant awareness of our school values. Many are buzzing and enjoying the vibe around school.

This year sees the introduction of Wānanga time and cross level groupings. The aim is to provide a structured time to build on relationships, establish a positive culture within our kura and allow our learners to flourish in areas that they are passionate about.

Hurumanu continues this year in a slightly different form with Year 7 & 8 working together and Year 9 separately. Within Hurumanu however, groupings are different to that of Wānanga groups allowing students to continue to establish and build on relationships, skills and knowledge (Learn, Create, Share).

The start of the year is as good a time as any to remind everyone of our school definition of bullying. At Hornby High School, bullying is defined as behaviour that is:

• Deliberate

• Repetitive

• An imbalance of power

• Causes harm

As a Kāhui, we have talked about the difference between bullying and being not nice to someone and how to manage these issues so it can be dealt with appropriately and through the right channels.

If you or your learner are concerned or have an issue that has arisen at school that you would like to discuss, it is important that you first contact your learner’s Wānanga advisor through email or a call to school. If you feel you require further clarification or support then please contact me (Dean) and then Mr Simon Scott (Year 7&8) or Mr Jack Goodfellow (Year 9). We thank you for the support from whānau in keeping the consistency going between home and school and see it as invaluable for the success of your learner.

For those of you we missed on conference day, we look forward to touching base with you at our sausage sizzle in early March.

Liisa Laycock
Tieke Dean
lk@hornby.school.nz