Many of you will be aware that I have spent the past five weeks of my Principal’s sabbatical visiting girls’ schools around the central and northern North Island. My focus has been on how these schools, which have very differing ethnic makeups, are supporting Māori and Pasifika learners. I chose this focus as these are the learners who are worst represented in school achievement statistics. My aim has been to gather information, ideas and strategies that we can implement at Otago Girls’ to support these learners in our school, and by extension, all learners. Considerable work and research in the area of Māori education has consistently shown that what works for Māori, works for all students. After visiting Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Gisborne and Whangarei Girls’ High Schools, I am now in the process of writing up my findings. It is a real privilege to visit other schools, meet with colleagues and discuss student achievement and leadership. Not only has it exposed me to some different ways of thinking, it has also provided reassurance about the structures, programmes and approaches we already have in place at Otago Girls’. I am very grateful to the Board for the opportunity to take this time and to the Senior Leadership Team, especially Bridget Davidson, for running the school in my absence.

One of the things that I consistently encourage students at OGs to do is to take up opportunities that are offered to them. This is how we grow and can contribute more deeply to the causes we believe in. I have been fortunate to have been offered an opportunity to co-lead the development of the New Zealand School Principals’ Leadership Strategy. I will be seconded to the Teaching Council for Terms Two and Three this year. This means that I will be cutting my sabbatical short and instead of returning to school mid Term Two, I will be returning at the beginning of Term Four. Bridget Davidson will continue to be Acting Principal in my absence. Again I would like to express my gratitude to the Board for supporting me in this endeavour.

I wish staff, students and parents a restful holiday and look forward to returning to school in Term Four.

Ngā mihi

Linda Miller