Kia ora koutou katoa

We keep them in our prayers as they face the challenge of these external assessments. We also have several students who are not sitting exams and are leaving school to begin apprenticeships and work. Please keep these students in your prayers as they learn to navigate the world of work beyond the school gates.

After this year’s school and community consultation on student leadership, all current Year 11 and 12 students (Year 12 & 13 students 2024) have been sent the application packs. With a focus on servant leadership and their history of service to our school and school community, we look forward to appointing our student leaders for 2024 at the final Mass and Prizegiving on 7 December. Students should check their school emails for the application packs. It was pleasing to see keen students online this morning with questions about the various roles and expectations. We are excited about the enhancements to student leadership at JPII.

On Tuesday 21 November, student across the year levels will be invited to participate in a graphic facilitation to capture student voice to inform our strategic plan for 2024-2025. In Term Three, parents were asked to share their ideas for the plan through an emailed ‘stop, start, keep’ exercise and feedback about JPII. We have collated this information, and need to hear from our students, and our wider community to make sure we have a full understanding of the aspirations for our students and school. We are particularly keen to engage with our Māori whānau, our Indian and Flilppino communities, and our rural families to ensure our strategic and annual goals reflect our communities. There is a graphic facilitation opportunity on the evening of the 22 November to listen and hear from you. Invitations will be sent on Monday. We appreciate the feedback we have received and thank you for taking the time to share your ideas. You will see these reflected in the strategic plan and direction of JPII moving forward.

At the end of this academic year, we will be farewelling several staff members. Kevin Mulcahy is heading back to his hometown of Christchurch to be closer to family and work part-time at Villa Maria College. He is also an avid poker player and wishes to pursue this interest when he’s not working. Kevin, may the odds ever be in your favour! Adam Baker is also moving home to Christchurch where he takes up a teaching position at Christchurch Boys’ High School. Vanessa Pringle is leaving JPII after 20 years to take up the role of HOD Technology at Westland High School. This is a wonderful opportunity for Vanessa, and we wish her well. Deputy Principal Madeline Campbell is stepping away from education for personal refreshment. We will farewell these staff members formally at the end of term. We are excited about the quality of applicants we have for new roles and look forward to welcoming new staff in 2024.

Ngā mihi nui

Renée Hutchinson

Principal