Kia ora koutou. Talofa. Kia Orana. Malo e lelei. Bula vinaka. Fakaalofa atu. Namaste. Kumusta. Haere mai ki Te Kura Te Huruhuru Ao o Horomaka. Warm greetings to the Hornby High School community.

Yet again I have to say ‘what a cracking start to the year’. Last week’s Academic Honours assembly celebrated our best NCEA results yet. A particular feature of our 2020 results was a large increase in Merit and Excellence endorsements. These results signal growing aspiration amongst our rangatahi as they strive for excellence. At the assembly I made the comment that I don’t mind what our students aspire to do and to be, as long as they aspire to be the best version of themselves that they can be. We are immensely proud of them all.

The Board has approved an investment in some new computers to support our rapidly developing ’maker space’ in Te Pai Tūhura. Included in the investment will be some very high spec machines designed to allow students to explore augmented and virtual reality. This is exciting cutting edge education that pushes students to challenge themselves, and reflects our vision to be ‘he puna auahaa centre of creative excellence’ - you have to put your money where your mouth is.

The Government’s Healthy School Lunches programme ‘Ka ora Ka ako’ is a fantastic initiative that began at Hornby High School on Monday 15th March. It ensures that all children are fed, while avoiding any sense of whakamā or shame amongst those students and whānau who need this support.This can only have a positive effect on our learners, something already reported by kura that have been engaged in the programme.

Please make sure you follow us on Facebook for the latest and most up to date news https://www.facebook.com/hornbyhighschool/ , and on our website www.hornby.school.nz . You can also follow my thinking our education journey at Hornby High School, and more generally, on my blog at https://whakataukihewakaekenoa.blogspot.co.nz/

Kia tau te mauri

Robin Sutton

Tumuaki