Kia ora koutou. It's hard to believe that we are now closer to the end of the year than we are to the start! I am thrilled by the wonderful organisational skills of our Year 10's, being the first year group to have all of their 2021 option forms completed. This enables us to start sorting the timetable for next year and ensuring as many students as possible get the options they want.

This term is my last as Dean with this year group as I head off on maternity leave. I would like to say thank you to all the amazing whānau I have had the pleasure of working with over the past two years as well as the outstanding students who make up our cohort. I wish them all the best heading into their first year of NCEA in 2021 and all the challenges that will present. For Term 4, they will be in the very capable and confident hands of Mr Wilson who has been working alongside myself and Mrs Wheeler over the past term.

Recently, some of our students have struggled to demonstrate our school values, particularly that of respect. A number of learners have made poor choices about how they interact and speak with the members of our school community. As a cohort we talk every week about what respect means and what bullying can look like in our space. The majority of students have made improvements, however some still need the reminders and reinforcement of whānau to ensure they are making sensible choices. It is important that they remember, even if my friend is doing/saying things this does not mean I have to participate or encourage them.

Looking towards Term 4, there is one very exciting opportunity on the books for our Year 10’s and that is school camp. This year camp will be held in the last week of school up at the Boyle River Lodge. This will certainly be a camp to remember as it will be in the summer months so the usual rain, ice and cold will be a distant memory for those who choose to attend. More information around this will be sent home at the start of Term 4 so be ready.

Ngā mihi nui
Mrs Sarah Handley