Kia ora koutou Year 12 Whānau.

In these extraordinary times, I am immensely proud of our rangatahi for persevering with their NCEA and engaging with their teachers. It has been overwhelmingly positive. I know I will not be the only staff member to be missing the daily interaction with our students.

It may seem like there is a lot to take in, and self-manage, in these times, particularly for our more hands-on subjects. Please know that we will continue to work as hard as we can on managing and creating solutions to challenges. This is affecting a whole generation of learners, so if we consider that, there is at least no disadvantage from one kura to another, and a more self-reliant approach to learning should be evident within this group by the time we get through.

For Year 12, I will be continuing to email, video-message and set up weekly Google Meets as a drop in only. I am available for a chat with whānau and students alike as needed. We are busy disseminating our new conditions for NCEA evidence gathering and will roll this out as required.

I have suggested to our Year 12’s that we begin this week with routines being re-established, if they have not already done so. Getting up at the same time, showering each day, wearing clean clothes and getting some exercise. All of those things can end up getting lost when what you were expecting to do is taken away. From there, using calendar to maintain order, having a ‘to do’ list and a space that is for school work in the house is also going to help. 

If your rangatahi have not checked in with their form teacher, then jumping onto the Tuesday 12pm Google Meet with me is highly recommended. Google Meets and emailed tasks are hopefully all set up from curriculum teachers by now, and all teacher work should be well posted onto Google Sites for students to have ease of access. 

There will be an end point to this situation, and while our patience might be being tested, we will get through this together. I am extremely proud to be a part of this kura. 

Ngā mihi aroha,

Rowena Clemence