Here, Principal Nicola Jacobsen shares her thoughts.

Kia ora,

As part of our efforts to support our students’ health and wellbeing, we recently invited the Life Education Trust to deliver three programmes to our students - the Behind the Scenes, Smashed, and SMART$ programmes.

The three programmes align with the New Zealand curriculum and are presented by actors in a fun, engaging and interactive way. Students actively contributed their ideas about what decisions each character should make, and what might the intended, and unintended outcomes of that decision be.

The ‘Behind the Scenes’ theatre-in-education programme, presented to our Years 9 and 10 students, explores the health risks of vaping and the influence of social media. The ‘Smashed’ alcohol education programme, presented to our Years 9, 10 and 11 students, allows students to explore the causes and consequences of underage drinking in a safe and motivational learning environment. The 'SMART$' financial literacy programme, presented to our Years 9 and 10 students, supports students to become responsible, confident and independent managers of money.

For more information: https://sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/lifeeducation/uploads/tinymce/Behind_the_Scenes_Whanau_information.pdf

www.lifeeducation.org.nz/in-schools/

At senior assembly this week the school choir performed, as part of their build up to competing in the Big Sing. It was an excellent performance, and great to see students from all year groups participating in the choir. All the very best to our winter sports teams who are well into their competition and training sessions. Our students are busy working towards a celebration of the arts in the final week of this term - I am most certainly looking forward to seeing their performances.

It has been excellent to see the parent community at parent-teacher-student interviews over the past two weeks. Both evenings were very busy. All the very best for the long weekend ahead.

Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata

The land is strong, the people are fulfilled.

Ngā mihi,

Nicola Jacobsen