We have already moved on from the success of our school film as we hurtle towards the end of the year.
With only six weeks to go until the end of the year, the school continues to be as busy as ever. Teachers are focusing on collecting data, writing reports and are already starting to make plans for next year.
The Board of Trustees have been looking at the strategic plan and are in the process of appointing two new teachers for 2018. Dale Blackie is taking leave next year while Hannah King is returning home to Blenheim. We will recognise and thank these teachers for their contributions in a later newsletter.
The new Government are quickly stamping their mark on New Zealand and no more so than in the area of education.
- They will look closely at the issue of teacher supply in Auckland. I recently spoke to a Principal in Auckland who has a school only slightly larger than Kaikorai who had to find 10 teachers before the start of next year.
- They are planning on funding all NZ schools adequately so that they are not reliant on parent donations.
- Changing charter schools to special character school's so that businesses can no longer profit.
- Removal of National Standards to allow teachers the time to teach rather than the focus being on assessment.
As always, "the devil is in the detail" and we will await with interest how these and other policies progress. In the meantime, reports including National Standards results will be sent home on Monday the 11th of December.
Kind regards,
Simon Clarke