Kia ora

School has started well over the last month and it has been good to have many events underway, despite the interruptions of changes to Alert Levels. Unfortunately the need to quickly modify how we run the campus with respect to covid19, is our new reality for this year.

We really appreciate your understanding and cooperation with regards to the changes to events and activities for students and parents/caregivers/whanau. Thank you for those who volunteered to go on the Lower Middle School Camps that had to be postponed. We will make every effort to run events that have to be postponed to a later date. Unfortunately there may be some events that can not be postponed and will need to be cancelled.

It is my pleasure to be able to welcome two new Senior Leaders to the school: Mr Pere Durie Associate Principal and Ms Pip Tinning Deputy Principal. (See their introductions in this Connect). The Senior Leadership team now consists of Steve Lindsey Principal, Pere Durie Associate Principal, Catherine Neidhardt Deputy Principal, Pip Tinning Deputy Principal and Shea McEvoy Deputy Principal.

We congratulate Ms Catherine Neidhardt Deputy Principal in her appointment to become Principal at Bethlehem School. Catherine has been a foundation Deputy Principal at Papamoa College since 2010 and has made a significant contribution to our kura especially in the Middle School, and although we will miss her, we know that she will do very well as a Principal and we wish her all the very best. She starts in her new position at the beginning of term 2. 

As a school we are ready with Learning and Teaching from Home should the need arise. There will be a significant reliance on using a digital device for students for Learning from Home and therefore if your child does not have access to a digital device at home, this could be a good opportunity for you to consider purchasing a device or making other arrangements. Details regarding digital devices purchases are outlined on our website for you.

With 1647 students on the school roll, it is noticeable the increased numbers of students especially during break times and when everyone is enjoying the fine weather. With the school roll growing each year, we are finding it challenging with learning space on campus, especially with specialist learning spaces. While we do have adequate (just) space currently, we will be receiving another 4 brand new relocatable modular buildings in term 3 which will give us a bit more space to spread out.

It is encouraging that the preliminary designs for the campus development are nearly ready to be shared with you. The Ministry of Education Capital Works Team are going through the final stages of confirming the preliminary design and we will share this with you once it is confirmed.

The project is significant in scope and includes the following development:

• Building a new larger Gymnasium with the possibility of future expansion
• Building a Technology Centre that will be located inside the current Gymnasium space.
• Building another Senior School Block of learning spaces
• Increasing space for Upper Middle School Learning Communities, plus a new Library and Staffroom
• Building a new Administration Block with increased Lower Middle School Learning Community Space. This will also include a new Hauora (Health) Centre and a developed Learning Support area.
• Building a contemporary Wharenui at the front of the school.

'Work in the ground' is planned to begin at the end of this year and throughout next year. The project will be completed over two stages, in an attempt to minimise the impact on the school as it continues to operate.

We will keep you updated as to the progress of the project.

Nga mihi

Steve Lindsey
Principal