Our first week back has flown past with senior students well and truly into NCEA prep. It’s important that all students, and especially seniors, are present in class with all their notes and revision materials with them. There is no excuse to be in class doing nothing when there is exam prep to do!

The term 3 holidays were a sporting highlight for our senior basketball team who attended the basketball nationals in Palmerston North. They came ninth in the small school’s division. Thanks to Jasmine Dodemaide (Manager) and Matthew Wood and Jared Hibbs (Coaches) for volunteering their time and expertise to get the boys there and back safe and sound in their own holidays. I wish to also acknowledge the countless hours that coaches and managers and families put into supporting our young people. For many young people sport plays an important role for them as they mature into adults and you being on the sidelines makes all the difference.

You will find a link in this newsletter to a survey about cellphones at school. Like all schools, we face the challenge (and frustration) of digital distractions in the classroom with students focused on non-educational apps and messages. We would like to hear from you, our parents, and caregivers, as to whether you would support a ban on cellphones at JPII from Term 1 2023. We will report on this survey in the next few weeks.

Take care everyone and enjoy this fine long weekend.

Ngā mihi nui
Renée Hutchinson
Principal