Tēnā koutou katoa, Mālō e lelei,

On the first day back at school under Level 2 Protocols I looked up at the Kaimai Ranges and felt proud of what we have done as a College and community over the last eight weeks. We continue to follow all the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education guidelines as they develop.

Now nearly two weeks on it seems like just days ago that we were all zooming, baking bread, looking for teddy bears in windows and just adjusting to a different way of life under Covid-19 Level 4 and 3. We have probably all reflected on what we value, what’s important to us and our view of the world.

As we now move into a new post-lockdown era, and Level 2 Learning, it is so important that we consider our own and each others’ well being. Lockdown and the Covid-19 experience has been different for all of us and may have many repercussions over time. A major focus for us as a school is to embrace well being and support our students, staff and community in whatever ways we can to ensure positive outcomes for all.

Overall our students have enjoyed returning to school and we are all enthusiastic about having more opportunities to communicate and connect face to face. It is so wonderful to have almost everyone back onsite. We have all had different experiences with remote learning. Some students have thrived in an on-line learning environment while others have struggled to adapt to the new way of learning. We are looking at how we can use these experiences to reflect and improve on how we can continue to offer our students personalised learning which will best suit them.

We can assure you all we are working with our students to re-introduce them to school life, catch them up where needed and support them in every way to be happy participants and contributors. NCEA exams have been rescheduled at a national level to allow senior students a little more time. Extra tutorials and support are being offered by faculties and individual teachers as appropriate and we have Club Rangatahi (Homework Club) on Thursdays from 3.15 - 4.30 p.m. If you have any concerns about your child, just be in touch.

We have shared so much information with you in recent weeks. No more today!

Please just stay safe, enjoy life and your families/ whānau. Contact us with any concerns and see the College website for all our recent bulletins and updates.

Nāku noa na

Carolyn Pentecost

TUMUAKI/ PRINCIPAL