Kia ora koutou katoa. What a term it has been! As we finish up Term 3 and start our school holidays, I have been reflecting on the disruptions we have had due to Level 3 lockdowns, but more importantly the great learning that has occurred. Our classrooms have been buzzing with excited children learning, collaborating and communicating with each other.

In Year 6, this has culminated in having our first ever PYP Exhibition, a unit of inquiry that students undertake in their final year at the school. Most have been working in small groups, following a central idea or big understanding. They then decided what interested them about this and inquired and researched deeper into this. The timeframe that they usually would have was considerably shortened due to Level 3 disruptions, but they made it work!!

The Approaches to Learning (Research Skills, Thinking Skills, Self-management Skills, Social Skills and Communication Skills) were front and centre of the learning, and we saw these really developed in this time. I am so proud of these young people who really demonstrated that they are learners who care about the world and global issues, they know what is right and their responsibility in this, and they can take action to make a difference. What remarkable young people we have in this school! A huge accolade must also go to Sara Baker, our PYP co-ordinator, and the Year 6 teachers – Bev Boyd, Sophie Magaraggia, Scott Polkinghorne and Jessica Han. They have worked with passion and enthusiasm to ensure the students knew what to do and were supported and appropriately scaffolded. A special thank you also, to the rest of the staff who were mentors for the groups. As the saying goes, it takes a village … and it does!

Thank you to all the Year 6 parents and whanau who came along yesterday and spent time talking with the groups. The students were so excited to share their learning with you, as well as have you write pledges, answer quizzes etc! Usually we would have opened it up for any parents in the school to visit, but were unable to due to the Level 2 restriction on numbers. Hopefully next year we can do this!

I do hope that next term sees a return to assemblies and that our usual activities can all go ahead. Please note that we have Student-led Conferences in Week 4 of the term, Wednesday 4 November, so school will close at 12.30pm that day. Booking information will come home early next term.

Have a happy and safe holiday everyone!

Ngā manaakitanga

Sue Cattell

Principal