Kia ora koutou and Tālofa lava from Mrs Sialele Alipia, our Year 11 Dean.

I have been extremely impressed with the high level of engagement from most of our Year 11 students, especially with meeting the demands of NCEA Level One. I hear the buzz of nerves and excitement when students discuss their assessment results or topics of interest in Science, to trying to be more concise by cutting a 1000 word essay to 500 words in English. The struggle is real!

What is even more impressive is hearing and reading the success stories of some of our Year 11 students in and out of our kura balancing their assessments and extra-curricular activities. This is no mean feat. Stories of students who are 

• Youth councillors in the Marlborough District Youth Council - Eliza Glover, Isabella Baldwin, Georgia Winkler, Kate Wilkes and Tessa Unwin. 
• Aroha Minhinnick, a scholarship recipient in the Inspire Foundation for Golf. 
• Isabella Baldwin, one of 12 students nationwide in the Hyundai Pinnacle Mentoring/Leadership programme. 
• Katie Poff, Eden Somerville and Nadia Zintl part of the dance ensemble in the current, ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ musical. 
• Liz Pousima and Brooke Harper in the MGC Premier Netball team. 
• Kyla Thorstensen, Sophie Kole and Jessica Lovell, Charlotte Rose in national swimming competitions. 
• Trinaty Pillans, winner of the senior MGC Ngā Manu Korero speech competitions. 
• Jess Sinclair, USA exchange student to the U.S for six months. 
• Finally, those students who have picked up Whānau Captain, Deputy Whānau Captain and Whānau School Councillor roles to help lead their whānau classes, and many more of our amazing tauira who I might have missed.

It has been nice walking through some of the whānau classes these past few weeks and seeing our school values in action. This is much better than me walking in to do uniform blitzes on incorrect socks and non-uniform jewellery. Sometimes I walk out looking like a princess with the jewellery I collect.

I’d like to say a big KIA ORA to one of our new Year 11 whānau teachers; Mrs Maisie Blackwood-Peter who has now taken over 1SISA which is now 1BLMA. Mrs Blackwood-Peter brings a cool, calm and collected vibe to our team.

Over the next few weeks, our whānau teachers will monitor our Year 11s to make sure everyone is on track with their academic learning. It’s not always about the credits but how our students are managing their time and meeting their Learner Capability goals set from the end of Term One and the start of Term Two. I will also start looking at those who may be struggling a little bit to see where any additional support is needed. You are also welcome to contact your daughter’s whānau teacher or myself should you have any questions.

Just a reminder for those students who have semesterised courses, the second semester starts in Week 8 of this Term. It is hard to believe that we have less than 20 weeks left to Year 11. I don’t think I’m ready to see our students as Year 12s. That is a scary thought.

I am very proud of our Year 11s and their journey so far this year. Let’s keep up the great work!

Fa’afetai lava,

Sialele Alipia
Year 11 Dean
sialele.alipia@mgc.school.nz