Here, Principal Nicola Jacobsen shares her thoughts.

Kia ora

All the very best to our winter sports teams for their competitions starting this term. Netball has already started and other winter codes are into pre-season training and games. All the very best to the music students involved in Yami this weekend. The lunchtime concert on Thursday with Powder Chutes and East York was a real treat for the students. Each of our student-led committees presented at junior assembly this week with their plan of activities for the term - Mathletics, Pink Shirt Day, the inter-house Haka competition and lunchtime sports to name a few!

This term the teaching faculty is focused on literacy skills for their professional learning. Literacy skill development is a hot topic in the media. Last year our Year 9 and 10 students participated in the pilot for the NCEA level one literacy and numeracy assessments. Our school achieved highly in these tests, and it has set up our current Year 10 and 11 students with a number of credits towards NCEA level one. Writing, and the ability to communicate ideas, is an area for us to continue to focus on. We have access to Google Read and Write for all students at the College, and this is a great tool for students to use to help support their writing in order to build their confidence.

Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata

The land is strong, the people are fulfilled.

Ngā mihi,

Nicola Jacobsen