Tēnā kotou katoa, greetings everyone,

We’ve had a busy 10 weeks settling into teaching and learning, school activities, and with sports getting underway again with basketball and planning for the start of rugby in term 2. We have one more week to go – Holy Week, as we lead into Easter. Everyone is feeling a bit tired, so we need to stay patient with each other.

Next Thursday we begin the day with the Holy Thursday liturgy, then periods 1, 2 and 3 as usual. Lunch will be at 12.30, and at 1pm the school will walk together to the Cross-Country start line at Anzac Park. Runners start at 1.30pm. If you’d like to join us, please do. Students are encouraged to come dressed in their house colours and crazy outfits and get involved for house points. There are categories for competitive runners, fun runners and fun walkers so all can participate at a level they are comfortable with.

Hopefully by now you have all had an opportunity to read the Interim reports that were sent out last Friday. Overall, these reflect the superb attitude our students have towards their studies, which is great to see.

In addition to their reports senior students have this week been emailed a copy of the assessment calendar for 2022. These are personal to the students, and provide indications of when assignments are due to start and when deadlines are also likely to be. By ticking off as they go, they can quickly get an idea of the credits they have earned and those they can still earn – all dates are a guide only and are not fixed, at times when changes occur these will be communicated to students via their teachers.

Students will have an opportunity next week to give us some feedback on how Term 1 has been for them – please encourage them to check their school email. Their voice will help us shape things for the coming terms.

A particular mention of our Year 13 students, who are stepping up as exceptional and caring leaders across the school, actively guiding and supporting our younger students to uphold the school values.

We continue to have no in-school transmission of Covid-19. Thanks to everyone for remaining vigilant when symptoms arise. Covid-19 has not yet peaked on the Coast, and we continue to have a few students unwell or isolating when a family member is unwell. We wish you all a speedy recovery. Please be aware that when we move to orange traffic light conditions, staff and students at John Paul II High School will continue to wear masks inside classrooms, to reduce the spread of the virus as well as the usual winter colds and influenza.

Attendance is still sitting at a respectable 91% and we thank everyone for supporting regular school attendance. Regular attendance is counted as 90% or above. A student with 90% attendance will still miss a full year of school over a 10-year period. Everyday matters!

A reminder too about our current vacancy - we have two roles for a positive, organised and forward-thinking candidate: Trades & Gateway Coordinator (10 hours per week, term time only) and Science Technician (5 hours per week), term time only. Email principal@johnpaul.ac.nz for details.