Welcome to the April edition of our newsletter.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by planned industrial (strike) action this term. We are hopeful that the negotiations, which have been ongoing for almost a year, will be resolved quickly. Despite these additional challenges, we have a jammed packed term ahead of us with significant events such as open night, parent/caregiver-teacher interviews, year 8 visits, the school production - The Adventures of Alice in Horrorland, hosting Manu Kōrero, two visits from Japanese student groups, and the school swimming sports. 

It is wonderful to observe so many students participating in a variety of activities, such as sports, community service, cultural events, art, and leadership programmes, alongside the larger events. We know that engaging in these kinds of activities can positively impact teenagers' social and mental well-being. Trying out new activities creates new pathways in our brains, which improves our ability to handle unexpected situations and obstacles in life. You might have guessed that I'm subtly encouraging families to inspire their children to explore the numerous activities offered by Kaiapoi High School, as well as other community teams and groups.

On this note, I would like to thank our six head students for their moving presentations at three ANZAC ceremonies this week. Each was tasked with presenting a speech that explained what ANZAC Day meant to them. The result was six unique and personal accounts drawn from their own experiences and stories passed down through their families. Their representation of our school and our community was outstanding. At these services, it was great to see so many young people present to hear the stories of integrity and sacrifice as our tīpuna, our ancestors, put their lives on the line to protect us from bondage to horrific ideologies. As we know, so many of them did not return to us, and many of those who did were never the same due to their injuries and experiences. Lest we forget.

Those following my newsletter messages will be looking forward to my continuation of a discussion on AI. Instead, the presentations at this week’s ANZAC ceremonies have caused me to reflect upon how we can protect the legacy of the culture and society that has been fought for and hard-won. We hear messages on the news or via social media that cause concern, which indicates our society seems to be at a crossroads, with some dark options available. I encourage every person reading this to reflect upon what we can do locally. Instead of despairing about what we read on social media or the news, pick one person or group that needs support. Making a sacrifice of time to make someone’s world a better place is a noble endeavour, and we need to work to protect the legacy left to us by those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Here’s a whakataukī, a proverb, that I hope will be taken in the manner intended:

Kaua e mate wheke; mate ururoa

Don't die like an octopus; die like a hammerhead shark

(Octopuses are known for their passive response when caught, but in contrast, a hammerhead shark will fiercely battle until the end. The contrast is used as a motivational message to urge people to take action when things get tough.)

Kia tino pai to rā, have a great day.

Jason Reid