Principal Nicola Jacobsen shares her thoughts.

Kia ora

At this week’s senior and junior assemblies the focus was on personal growth and working towards your goals. In the junior school, it’s about learning what is important to you in a wide range of areas - friendships, school, activities, values.

The Head Students each spoke about something important to them from their junior years at MAC, whether that be navigating changes in friendships, trying to decide what options to take for the following year, or how to improve the skills needed to be a good learner. The message for the senior school was around specific study skills and strategies. Lottie, Tom, Daisy and Zavier all have different approaches to their study, and listed below are some of the strategies they use:

• Making the most of tutorials at school

• During study leave, studying at school (in the library) during the day, and having a break in the evening

• Making a list of what topics need to be studied, and prioritising them

• Making the most of class time during term 3 in terms of using time in class well to complete work

• Leaving your phone in the kitchen or with a parent when you are studying

• Studying with a friend who has similar subjects so you can work on problems and essays together.

Another topic we covered at the senior assembly was when it is okay (and not okay) to use AI for NCEA assessments. AI can be used, but students would be told at the start of the assessment if it is okay to do so. AI can be used for research, but it can’t be used to provide the structure for a report or essay, or do the written tasks required. We have put together a video about assessment conditions, which was shared in assembly, and will be sent out to parents and students next week.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone over the next two weeks at Parent Teacher interviews. The booking information has been sent to you in an email from Dean Sheppard (Deputy Principal). In addition to this, you would have also received an email asking for feedback on how we report to parents. We appreciate your time in giving us this feedback as we want to be able to ensure that how we report is helpful for parents and whānau so that they know where their child is at with their learning.

It’s been a great start to the term. The students are looking great in their uniform, and I’ve been impressed with the engagement in class and readiness to learn.

Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata.

The land is strong, the people are fulfilled.

Ngā mihi

Nicola Jacobsen