It is good for you to be aware that it is crunch time for many students with regards to NCEA assessments right now. As such, we encourage you to have conversations with your child around how to best manage competing priorities and take into account stress levels may be somewhat higher right now for them.

The Senior Outdoor Education classes have been busy in the past few weeks experiencing some awesome adventures both locally and further afield. In week 6 the Level 3 Adventure Based Leadership class completed an epic day of sea kayaking to Rangitoto Island, before summiting and returning to Takapuna beach to top off a great experience for all.

In week 8 our Level 2 Outdoor Education students spent 3 days in the Waikato at Wharepapa South completing their rock-climbing unit, where they experienced 3 days of amazing climbing and abseiling in some of the country’s best climbing areas. It is a blessing to have the freedom to complete this education in the outdoors given the current restrictions elsewhere in the world.

As always, our students have represented themselves and KingsWay School in a great way, caring and supporting both students and providers during these trips. We are looking forward to another busy term in the outdoors in Term 2.

Trips and Catch Up Work

A reminder that if students are going on a trip or if they are having time out of class for any reason, they need to keep up with all assessment-related work. The ideal is that they let teachers know in advance and do work that is needed prior to that time.

Social Media and ICT Use

As no doubt everyone is currently finding, our lives are becoming more and more saturated with social media. There are many benefits to this but also pitfalls. This term, we have been finding some of our senior students are struggling to manage themselves safely online and making poor decisions that have impacts beyond themselves. As a school, we are continuing to look at ways to address this and educate around effective use. We are updating our ICT agreement that all students are expected to sign and adhere to. One aspect to be aware of in this context is that we do not have capacity, nor responsibility for, online interactions that occur outside of school hours. In some cases, if personal use activity compromises or impacts student or staff safety, wellbeing and work at school, management may intervene. Alongside this, we would also encourage all parents to have open discussions with students about this and the wider impact of social media usage.

Term 2 Dates and Events to be Aware Of

Wednesday 5 May- Friday 7 May: Level 3 ABL Camp

Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 May: Travel & Tourism Adventure Course

Thursday 13 May: Staff Only day, no students at school

Friday 14th May: Year 13 Ball