Being part of the foundation staff of this school has been a privilege and an honor. I am so proud of our students and our staff for all their growth and their achievements this year.

One of my favourite teachers, Socrates, tells us that “Education is the kindling of a flame”.
Flames provide us with 2 important things – Light and Warmth.

Education is the light which guides us into our futures.
In New Zealand, we have a wonderful, progressive curriculum that provides light not only in what we learn but also in how we learn.
This year I have watched our students and staff develop in areas such as collaboration and connectedness, inquiry-mindedness and curiosity, and risk-taking in our learning and bravery.
They have demonstrated diligence and perseverance.
They have set ambitious goals and put in the effort and time to achieve them.
Ko Taku Reo students and staff can rightly feel proud of themselves.
These are the skills, dispositions, and approaches which will be rewarded in the 21st century, as many young people move towards careers that haven’t even been invented yet. Our young people will have satisfying and enriching lives. They will make invaluable contributions to society.
KEEP GOING! Keep learning for life! It’s invigorating and it’s energising.

This year at Ko Taku Reo, we have also experienced the warmth of education as students and staff have met and become more familiar with each other all over Aotearoa.
To observe the developing relationships and team-building is to observe the foundations of a strong school into our future. Shared smiles represent trust, shared dialogue represents collaborative sense-making, and shared work represents us preparing for our futures.
The future of our school, and the future of the individuals within Ko Taku Reo, look bright!

That Flame is really doing its job!

It is important to give thanks.
Students – thank you! You inspire us everyday
Staff – thank you! Your expertise, passion, commitment and drive touch lives.
Whanau – thank you! We love working in partnership with you.

Nga mihi nui

Louise Roe