The long Covid lockdown, which lasted eight school weeks, made online learning a challenge for everyone and was especially tough for some. However, it was pleasing to see the students’ efforts on their return to school and their focus on achieving the different NCEA standards in the short time that remained in the term.

The week before OSC reopened, the Deaf provision reconnected via an online Tik Tok challenge, with an independent judge – Assistant Head of Enrolled School Daniel Greenwood – deciding the students’ entry as the winner. The staff graciously conceded that their opponents had indeed produced a highly creative and entertaining clip.

Ormiston Senior College’s decision to split the school day between Year 11s on-site in the morning and Year 12s in the afternoon meant working to a revised timetable, but the students took that in their stride.

The continuing Level 3 lockdown in the community has also meant new safety norms at schools, such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

As the school year comes to a close, we farewell three of our students – Yuan Tsai, Kaylee Wipani and Markus Pakii William. Yuan is heading to Auckland University, Kaylee to Tu Kokiri, and Markus to the building programme at Massey High School. We wish them all the very best for the future.

Despite their departure, our roll will rise to 16 next year with the arrival of six new Year 11s from Ormiston Junior College.

Have a great summer holiday. We're all looking forward to greater freedom of movement under the Government’s new traffic-light system and a return to a more normal 2022.