Tena koutou katoa. Nei ra te mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa. This is the last newsletter for what has been a very busy and rewarding year for the Aupaki Kāhui Ako. Below are some of the highlights and milestones we have achieved this term...

Aupaki Achievement Challenges

The Aupaki Achievement Challenges have now been fully developed and were shared with the Aupaki Stewardship Group for final approval at a meeting earlier this week. The following challenges have been identified based on 2016 National Standards and NCEA results from across the seven schools in our Kāhui Ako:

We are challenging ourselves to lift the achievement of our students in writing, Years 1-8 Māori students in reading, writing and maths and to increase the number of students leaving Linwood College having achieved NCEA Level 2 or higher.

Although the baseline data is heavily influenced by National Standards we will be using a far broader range of assessment tools to measure the impact our new programmes are having on our students. This will include data on engagement, retention and student wellbeing.

Aupaki Sports Coordinator

We are pleased to announce that Chris Cole from Sumner School has been appointed to the Aupaki Sports Coordinator’s position. Chris will be employed in a 0.8 role to promote sporting opportunities for our students and work alongside teachers to implement high quality sports and physical education lessons. We know that Chris will do a fantastic job in his new role.

Aupaki Student Council

Another very exciting initiative this term has been the creation of the Aupaki Student Council. The council is made up of two Year 8 students from each school along with year 10 and 13 students from Linwood College. The group will meet once a term to discuss issues and opportunities that exist within and across our schools and as such will act as ‘student voice’ for any decisions made going forward.

One of the Aupaki Student Council's first tasks will, be to plan and organise a tabloids day in the second half of Term 1.

Aupaki Logo Competition

We received a large number of entries for the Aupaki logo competition. This was narrowed down to a shortlist of seven by the Aupaki students and teachers who came up with the idea at our visioning workshop in Term 3. The Aupaki Council then decided on the final two winners (see below). Congratulations to Coby J from Heathcote Valley School and Vladmir K from Mt Pleasant School (see the images below).

These students will have the opportunity to work with a professional graphic artist to complete the new Aupaki Logo. We hope to be able to unveil this at the beginning of the new school year.

Linwood Enrichment

This term around 20 Aupaki students have been involved in robotics enrichment classes at Linwood College led by computer science teacher Amelia Painter. This has been another fabulous initiative which has been thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. Thank you again to Linwood College for offering this.

We are very pleased with how the relationships and collaborative practice have continued to grow throughout this year in our Kāhui Ako and very much look forward to Aupaki continuing to blossom in 2018.

Have a safe and relaxing Christmas

Ngā mihi nui

Stuart Cameron
Aupaki Lead Principal