Kia ora koutou. Welcome back to Term 3. As I write this I am watching the snow fall outside. I hope you all managed to keep warm and dry in this weather!

I mentioned in the last newsletter that I was beginning academic interviews with the Year 11 and 12 students. These are now almost finished, I only have a few catch-ups to do with students who were absent on their scheduled days. I have been very impressed by the number of students that know exactly how many credits they have, and are regularly checking their student portal on the school website. Many students have a goal simply to pass NCEA Level One or Two, but there are also those who are aiming for Merit or Excellence endorsements. It is now up to these students to ensure the effort they put into their classes reflects these goals.

This week the school has sent out information about subject choices for 2022 to the Year 10, 11, and 12 students and their whānau. You should have been emailed a copy of the senior course booklet. I have talked to all of the students about the importance of making sensible choices, and understanding that these choices will have a bearing on courses they wish to take in future years, either at this school or with a tertiary institution. Please take the time to discuss your child’s subject choices with them, and ensure that the subject selection sheets are returned by the due date (Friday 20th August) to avoid missing out on their preferred options. If you have any questions about this process, please contact either myself or the school Careers Counsellor (Barbara Climo: cl@hornby.school.nz).

At the end of this week I am heading off to Kaiapoi with a large group of Year 12 students on the school Next Steps Camp. I am looking forward to seeing these students operate in a setting outside of school, demonstrating some of their leadership and teamwork skills, and hopefully having heaps of fun. I hope many of these students will put their names forward to be a prefect next year, or for one of the other leadership roles within our school. Even if they choose not to, I hope everyone enjoys themselves and takes some new skills from the camp. Fingers crossed for some fine weather!

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Ngā mihi nui.

Phil Daines

Years 10 - 12 Mōhua Kāhui Dean

(03) 349 5396 ext. 923

da@hornby.school.nz