Is the end of the school year a destination in itself or simply a stop on the journey? That's something you get to decide.

As you read this, the school year is finished. End-of-year reports have been sent, examinations completed and, for some, their time at PNBHS will have come to an end. Does this time of year mark the end of something or is it just a weighpoint on the journey? We get to decide the answer to that question.

Now is a prime time for your son, with support from you, to reflect on his school year. What are the things he is especially proud of from 2024? What will he do differently in 2025?

That second question is especially important. "If you keep doing the same things, you'll end up getting the same results" is a quote variously attributed to Albert Einstein or Henry Ford. Regardless of who said it, it's difficult to argue against it. Now is the opportune time to capture what needs to be done differently in 2025. Get your son to write it down in his own words and save it so that it can be a reminder for the beginning of the next school year. Otherwise, what were virtuous intentions in late 2024 are likely to be forgotten when they are needed most.

Our recent Junior Prizegiving allowed us to celebrate academic, cultural and sporting achievement, academic improvement and young men who have demonstrated a commendable attitude towards their academic studies. All of these young men are to be commended for their efforts during 2024. They have set a fine example for their peers, have made the most of the opportunities available to them and can be proud of their efforts and achievements. In doing so they have exemplified our school motto: Nihil Boni Sine Labore, Nothing Achieved Without Hard Work.

Earlier in the year we shared data about academic achievement, attendance and co-curricular involvement at PNBHS in 2023 and will repeat this exercise once NCEA results from this year have been finalised. The data confirmed what we had always suspected - young men who are involved in all aspects of school life, i.e. involved in co-curricular activities, attend school more regularly and achieve at a higher level than young men who are not involved in co-curricular activities.

Having spent the last two weeks commenting on junior reports this pattern again is stark. We work hard to provide the broad range of co-curricular activities that we do as we know it makes a difference. If your son hasn't been involved in co-curricular activities this year, or his involvement has been only minor, we encourage you to take the time to discuss this with him and encourage him to get involved in 2025.

School attendance will remain a focus for us in 2025. Regular school attendance is crucial. Students who attend regularly are far more likely to have positive life outcomes than those who do not. Regular school attendees are more likely to gain qualifications, are more likely to be employed, and are much less likely to have received government welfare support or to have engaged with the justice system.

Unfortunately, in recent years there has been a shift in New Zealand society and for a small but growing number of families, school attendance is now seen as optional rather than essential. This must change or the long-term implications for our communities and economy could be disastrous.

It is important we recognise that the majority of young men and families do support regular attendance and are regularly at school. They are to be commended for making school a priority.

We wish everyone in our school community a Merry Christmas and a safe and relaxing summer break.