In 1922 the intermediate schooling model was developed specifically to meet the needs of emerging adolescents. Newlands Intermediate is joining with 100’s of other intermediate middle schools this year to celebrate what makes our schools great places for our young people.

 For the next 2 years I am the president of the New Zealand Association of Intermediate Middle Schools. I have been on the NZAIMS national executive for 4 years but this year as president I am looking forward to help set the direction for next 10 years. Aiming for 100 seemed a little ambitious!

This is what I already know about Intermediate Middle Schooling -

Our places of learning are flexible, diverse, and engaging.

Our teachers are dedicated, passionate and relational.

Our teaching is informed, global, and integrated.

Our students are developing intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

There is so much to celebrate but we must be open to new ideas and new ways of working with our students, and our communities, as we look to the future. Teaching and learning Covid times taught us this too.

In August Intermediate Middle school leaders and educators are celebrating together in Taupo and teachers and students from all over New Zealand can once again meet and celebrate sport and recreation at AIMS Games in Tauranga.

Now that the worst of Covid may soon be behind us we can connect, share, reflect and rejoice in being part of a dynamic and very important sector of New Zealand education.