I’ve been looking forward to the arrival of term 2 for a while now, as we have wonderful new staff joining us:

Joanie Roberson is our new Director of Religious Studies. Joanie comes to us from Marcellin College in Auckland, and is a highly experienced DRS, leader and teacher of many years. We are absolutely blessed to have her join our school and parish community. She will take over the teaching of our senior Religious Studies classes this term, which I know the students will appreciate.

Pippa Sluis is a new Teacher Aide joining us. She too has a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to this role and our school. She has worked in our school previously through Westreap and the Mates and Dates programme, and has worked in health and wellbeing education for youth in our West Coast community for some time.

We are very pleased to welcome Celia Costelloe back to school this term after her period of leave in term one. She will resume the Year 13 Dean role that Dan Steggles filled in term one.

We have two student teachers from the University of Otago joining us for seven weeks this term. Thomas Cairncross will be working with some English and Social Science classes, and Julia Johnston will be working with art and photography classes. Both are already proving to be a wonderful addition to the staff team, with much positive energy and expertise to offer to students. Thanks to our teachers for giving them such a warm welcome and nurturing them during this term.

We have taken our learnings from term one, including student feedback and ideas, and we are continuing to refine our Wednesday programme. Bluelight Bootcamp continues with our partnership with the Police and increasingly experts from community health organisations who are keen to contribute to our programme – Beyning Tey joined senior students to train this week and will be presenting to the school about nutrition and body image this term. Astiana Trouland was our speaker this week, introducing herself, sharing her story about wellbeing, and the work she currently does related to stress and anxiety management. She will contribute to our programme this term too. This term students selected one club only, which they’ll attend every week. Clubs on offer this term include Chess and Drones; Enviro/Agricultural; Badminton Table Tennis and Squash; Book Club; Crafts; Wahine Warriors; Sports Training; Senior Study; Mountain Biking; Marine Science; Masterchef; School Band; and Duke of Edinburgh.

Today our Year 12 Biology students are off to Westport to explore the Rocky Shore as part of their course work

As well as our usual taught classes next week, we have some other activities happening for students:

On Monday we have the ‘Wero – Wayfinding’ programme for some of our Māori and Pasifika students happening in the library. Students from Greymouth High School and Westland High School will also be attending. Find out more about the programme here: https://www.werowayfinding.com/ If you have any queries, please contact our Cultural Navigator – tina.singer@johnpaul.ac.nz

On Tuesday, Year 10 Social Studies students are going to Shanty Town.

On Wednesday, Year 13 Biology students heading off to Orana Park in Christchurch, and a Trades Taster Day for Year 10, 11 and 12 students is happening at Tai Poutini Polytech (11am to 2.30pm). Contact our Pathways Coordinator for more information – jasmine.fitzgerald@johnpaul.ac.nz

Thursday is a Teacher Only Day, so students don’t attend school. Staff are working at the Arahura Marae developing a deeper understanding of our local area, to support the implementation of local curriculum.

On Friday we have some students attending a Squash tournament.

Have a good weekend everyone, the weather forecast is looking good so far!

Madeline Campbell

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