Time has once again flown by and we find ourselves at the end of another successful and busy year in the Year 7/8 Department.

This term we welcomed Mr Simon Scott as the Assistant Principal, replacing Mrs Sue Elley who has now taken up the principalship of Belfast School.

One visible change within the classrooms this year was the increased use of chromebooks for learning, with the majority of students having their own device. One of the key responsibilities within education, is the preparation of students for their life beyond school. We live in a digital environment and it is vital that students develop essential digital literacy skills. As well as this, the use of the internet opens the door to the world, optimising opportunities for students, recognising the fact that learning is not restricted to the four walls of the classroom nor the school environment.

Our Business and Enterprise kete in Term 2 culminated in a very successful market day. Within this kete the Year 7/8 students worked together to form companies, produce, market and sell their own products. This year the Year 9 students joined us in this kete of work and the market day was bigger and better than ever. It was good to see many caregivers and whanau taking the opportunity to come and view the students work. The profit from this market day is used to subsidise other learning opportunities for students.

Unfortunately, due to the transport disruption caused by the Kaikoura earthquake, the Year 8 students were unable to attend our week long outdoor education experience to Picton. They did however spend a day out at Quail Island. This trip complimented our Kaitiakitanga kete of work as we learnt about the restoration programmes that are underway in an attempt to re-establish New Zealand’s native flora and fauna, and understand the importance of ensuring that these taonga are looked after and there for the enjoyment of future generations. We hope to visit Picton and the Marlborough Sounds again in 2018.

Our year culminated with our annual Arts presentation, the result of four weeks of learning, where students selected a workshop to attend that they were particularly interested in. The final presentation of the students’ efforts never fails to impress, as the talent that exists within the walls of Hornby High School is highlighted.

Hornby High School offers a range of opportunities for Year 7/8 students to demonstrate their talents and/or find their passion. Once again, a group of Year 7 students recently represented Hornby High School at the “Be Inspired” Leadership conference at Christ’s College. Taking advantage of opportunities and becoming involved in activities such as the ‘koru’ games, other sporting events, itinerant music lessons, music festival etc. should be a priority for our students.

We look forward to 2018 when the first part of our school rebuild will reach completion and the next stage in the process will begin. Once again it will be a year when the importance of teamwork and when the ability to adhere to the CARR Values, will be paramount.

Carla Gibson
Head of Junior School