Parent Meeting Summary

Dear Parents

We have started the year in a similar fashion to the last one, with lockdowns impacting our calendar. As a result, we elected to deliver our Parent Meeting via Zoom this Term. The Parent Meeting at the start of the year is an important time for you to meet with the classroom teacher and leaders of learning to better understand how learning happens in your child’s class. It is important that this happens sooner rather than later and to that end, as we are still not allowed to meet in crowds on campus, we elected for Zoom meetings. I know that for many this is more convenient, and should we conduct more meetings in this way we will ensure that they are staggered, so that you can have the opportunity to attend all your children’s classes.

As we look ahead at the year that lies before us, I would like to discuss some of the strategic foci and initiatives we are embarking on. JCS continues to work in partnership within a kahui ako, (community of learning) with KingsWay School and Westminster Christian School. The focus remains professional development and learning for teachers to ensure they are equipped to design and deliver a programme accessible to all learners, with a focus on second language speakers. Auckland schools are enrolling an increasing number of second language learners and we need to be positively responsive. Wellbeing will also be a focus in the latter half of the year where we will build a framework for what wellbeing looks like for the tamariki and whanau of JCS. The model of Te Whare Tapa Wha will be used which encompasses the spiritual, emotional, social and physical wellbeing of students who live in connected communities. Wellbeing is very important to us and to this end we have two counsellors who meet with students twice a week. Work will begin to develop future focused learning dispositions and life skills which will be incorporated into the JCS student outcomes of Christ-centred, connected, confident, contributing and lifelong learning, with a graduate profile rubric to measure progress. Mathematics will be a focus as we do a review on the Prime Maths programme which has been running from mid-2019. The Makerspace is in operation but has yet to be further developed and added to. The adventure has begun to provide stimulating, problem solving learning programmes with endless possibilities to be explored in the areas of making, creating, inventing and prototyping, using digital technologies, design, electronics, robotics and hard and soft materials. We are planning our first JCS musical this year. Community is very important to us, enjoying rich cultural diversity is part of that, as we find unity in diversity and learn from one another. Cultural Week will be an opportunity to celebrate our unique community in the unity of Christ. The Pacifica Homework Centre has two teachers and a digital technology whizz who assist our students with homework and learning. In terms of building projects, much needed work on the rooves of the campus will take place.

May you know His peace which passes all understanding as we partner together to model how God’s people are in turbulent times.

Yours in His service

Sandra Bosman