Talofa lava

This week I was fortunate to attend the Secondary Principals’ conference in Blenheim. The conference covered a large range of topical issues ranging from the review of achievement standards, the COVID-19 response including the uncertainty of border re-openings and vaccination roll-outs, student discipline, school finance and property, Year 11 programme re-design and youth optimism. Speakers included Chris Hipkins - Minister of Education and Ashley Bloomfield - Director General of Health. Nationally there were common threads of concern including young people’s mental health, teacher wellbeing, the post-COVID impact on Year 9 students in particular who have shown signs of struggling to adjust across the country, the sudden vaping epidemic that has arisen amongst young people and the uncertainty of the post-lockdown environment in terms of opening borders again to international students.

Three things struck me most at the conference. The first is the need to engage with whānau and community to work together to find solutions in this challenging environment, the second is the need for clear and consistent communication between whānau and the school and the community to avoid breakdown or mis-communication and the final key message was to bring the best of ourselves to school every day - and to address issues if we are struggling to do this. Attendance at school is critical. People can help if they know what the issues are.

Today we had our school cross-country. Congratulations to all students who participated on our new Jubilee Park circuit. Juniors should note that participation in events such as this at senior level is an indicator of other success as it shows students are motivated, give things a go and show positivity.

Congratulations also to all students who participated in a range of successful sporting and cultural events during this week. These are highlighted here and in next week’s publication of Nautilus News.