Kia Ora, Talofa Lava and greetings to the Year 11 whānau of Hornby High School. It is with great pride that I have returned to the school from 2 years leave, and I excitedly join the cohort as they begin their NCEA journey.

Over the last few weeks, I have really enjoyed re-connecting with some of the students whom I taught when they were in Year 8, and introduce myself to many new students and their whānau along the way.

I feel that the start of the year has been really focussed and settled for the cohort, seeing positive learning environments daily as I visit classes when they are in session. It is wonderful to see engaged, friendly, and questioning, students as they start working towards gaining credits towards their first NZQA certificate.

In our Dean’s hui on Monday mornings, I am using the structure of “feedback” and “feed forward”, which is something that can be enhanced at home in your conversations around school; how did they go last week, what can be done this week to be better or to continue to strive to be the best that they can be. On this note, I am delighted to be able to congratulate the following Year 11 students on gaining Kāhui Leader positions for 2020; Nadia, Driaan, Nidhi, and Meagan. It is great to see students taking the opportunities that arise and becoming true leaders within our school community.

Another area of focus discussed regularly is attendance, and the direct link between attendance at school and gaining NCEA Level 1. There are many articles to support this statement, and I have outlined to the students the need to be at 85% attendance or above. Lateness in the mornings will impact on this attendance rate, and support around getting your learner to school every day, on time, is much appreciated.

I thank you for the ongoing support around chrome books and their value to learning within our school, and encourage you to contact me if you have any questions regarding the use of them during the day.

I look forward to seeing the group continue to strive towards gaining credits, being the best that they can be and taking opportunities as they arise over the coming months,

Ngā mihi nui,
Laurie Tafau
tf@hornby.school.nz
03 349 5396 ext. 904