Tēnā koutou katoa, Mālō e lelei,

It is hard to believe that the end of the year is so close. What an incredible year of innovative learning and achievement we can celebrate! We have seen significant improvements in student engagement in 2019. This is evident in our improved attendance for all year levels, improvement in student behaviour and consequently a decrease in stand-downs and suspensions, and high levels of student acceleration in achievement and personal success.

As we now prepare for our end of year celebrations and acknowledgment of 2019 achievement I would like to remind you of the dates for our 2019 prize givings.

• Senior Prizegiving:  Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 6.30 p.m.

• Year 9 and 10 Prizegiving:  Friday, December 6, 2019 at 9.00 a.m.

• Year 7 and 8 Prizegiving:   Friday, December 6, 2019 at 1.00 p.m.

In addition to fantastic academic success, our sporting and cultural achievements consistently place us among the top in the Bay of Plenty and our sportsmanship and kotahitanga are admired by all who see, hear or feel our Katikati passion and pride.

There are too many people to acknowledge or shout out to in my Principal’s Comment this month, so I extend very big broad brush congratulations, acknowledgment and thank you to all those students, staff, coaches, parents and whānau, who have made this year such a fantastic success.

There are two groups, however, who I do wish to make special mention of. Firstly, our 2019 Student Leaders, Davinder, Maddie, Tom, Irene, Liona, and the rest of our student leadership team.  It was an absolutely spectacular effort this year from them all. I admire the way they have initiated so many student-focused initiatives, maintained positive perspectives, driven our House spirit, tried to beat the teachers at various activities, as well as managed their individual workloads and been good students. They have been incredible role models and have added to the legacy that our previous student leaders have created. Congratulations and well done team!

We also welcome and congratulate our 2020 leaders. We look forward to you also adding to the legacy of student leadership at Katikati College. Our 2020 leaders are:

• Head Boy: Kaha Bluegum

• Head Girl: Jess Meade

• Deputy Head Boy: Quinton Landman

• Deputy Head Girl: Sophia Spurr

Secondly, to our Year 13 students of 2019.  I have so enjoyed working and learning from all of them. I love that they are such an inclusive, talented, innovative and slightly quirky bunch, I love that they are accepting of everyone and I love that they have not only embraced, but also modelled our 2019 school theme, Kotahitanga (unity) this year. They have all ‘made their MARK’ and we will miss them. We wish them all the best for the adventures ahead.

In September we shared a special newsletter with important information for 2020 including:

• New uniform information

• Important 2020 dates

• School expectations

• Making a formal complaint

• Digital technology and devices

Please make sure you are familiar with this important information and contact your child's Dean if you have any questions or concerns about their learning programme in 2020.

Community Suggestion Box Feedback

Thank you to all those people who have shared their opinions and ideas with us so we can improve our College and what we are doing for our students. We continue to receive lots of great feedback about our uniform and this has all been taken into consideration as we finalise the uniform and the way we will distribute it. Our Uniform Shop is onsite for improved convenience and in 2020 we expect all our Year 7 students and most of our Year 11 students to be in new uniform. All other students can replace uniform items with new items as required. We expect to have a combination of both new and old uniforms during a two year transition period.

Improving our communication has once again been raised and I would like to assure you that we are constantly exploring ways to improve the way we communicate with our families/whānau and community. This includes identifying the method that will allow us to connect more effectively e.g. email, Facebook, School App etc.

Other queries received in the suggestion box include the use of digital technology and phones at the College. As a society we embrace the benefits technology brings, including improved connectivity and greater access to information and knowledge. However, with this comes new challenges and behaviours from adolescents and we are all learning together how to better manage this. Please refer to my March Principal’s Comment for some ideas and places to go for help. In addition, the College has enlisted the expertise of John Parsons to work with our staff, students and community in 2020 to improve online practices and safety. John will be at the College on Friday, May 15, 2020, working with staff and students. There will also be a community session from 2.30 - 3.30 p.m. and all are welcome to attend.

We encourage you to share your ideas, opinions, and concerns with us using our Community Suggestion Box. For more serious issues please use the Formal Complaints process if you have any issues you would like formally investigated. This includes submitting in writing a description of your concerns to the principal.

Lastly, thank you for a fantastic year, best wishes for a safe and restful break and Meri Kirihimete (Merry Christmas)!

Nāku noa na

Carolyn Pentecost

Principal/ Tumuaki