Lunch with the Principal - names drawn at zoom assembly as part of PB4L

Kia Ora Koutou

We’ve nearly made it to the end of Term 1 - and what a term it has been. For what feels like the first time, after two years of cautionary measures, COVID moved amongst us, impacting students, families and staff here. It has been very hard for all of us, dealing with uncertainty, frustration, rescheduling, restrictions, possibly fear as well. This last term was the toughest in my career, and I’ve been a teacher since last century! I’m hearing the same from other staff members too. This has not been an easy time for any of us.

Thank you to those who have supported your children by keeping things as normal as possible for them, answering their questions, giving them extra time, space and love. They carry our anxieties, and I have been so impressed at the resilience and joy your children have shown each day at school, as we’ve done the very best we could to keep it a safe, happy, learning-focussed and normal as possible environment for them.

Thank you for your patience as we have had to repeatedly change plans over the last two years to accommodate new guidelines, do without things like class trips this year so far and require masks in the school for Year 4 and over. None of us enjoy it, but we are bound to following guidelines for the safety of all.

Thank you for those who have shown kindness to school staff in all of this, along with supermarket workers, health workers and others in public-facing roles. People usually choose to be in health or education out of a genuine desire to help others, and they can feel more vulnerable in a pandemic because they are at the ‘front line’ more than many, interacting with high numbers of people every day. I am so proud of all the staff here - every day, they show their commitment to providing the very best learning opportunities to your children, even while being faced with uncertainty about their own families and personal safety. They are tired, and these holidays are needed.

Enjoy some rest yourselves with your children over the next two and a bit weeks as well. I am so hoping that the peak of COVID will pass soon, and that we can get back to having social and other events for families again. We have missed the face to face so much. See you all in Term Two!

Me te mihi nui mo a koutou manaakitanga - in appreciation of your support.

Justin Perriam

Tumuaki of Te Kura o Matarangi / Northcote School