Kia ora koutou

This week we celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Maori Language Week. The theme for 2023 being, “Kia Kaha te Reo Māori”, making the language stronger. QPS has more teachers learning te reo Level 1 this term after the Deputy Principals and I completed ours in July. All of us recognize the importance of building our te reo in an effort to keep the language alive. You could use these with your children;

• He Māia Au, I am brave.

• He Kaha Au, I am strong.

• He Atamai Au, I am smart.

• He Atawhai Au, I am kind.

• He Ātaahua Au, I am beautiful.

• He Ihumanea Au, I am clever.

• He Manawanui Au, I am dedicated.

This week I attended the NZ Principals’ Federation (NZPF) conference hosted here in Queenstown. I enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from across the motu and listen to speakers share their educational research. Pasi Sahlberg, a Finnish educator, author and scholar spoke about Finland’s educational success and I was particularly interested and pleased to know that Finland schools have adopted the “looping” system. “Looping” is when a teacher moves with their class over two years; a system that we introduced at QPS a few years ago. Pasi shared that in Finland, “Looping” encouraged stronger relationships between teachers, students and families; the main reason why we adopted this system. We will continue to survey students and teachers to ensure this system continues to work for us. Dame Valerie Adams was also a very motivating and inspiring speaker. She shared her journey of resilience, integrity and tenacity to become a world leading athlete from “lil’ ole’ NZ.”

Our QPS kapa haka students opened and closed the NZPF conference, performing in front of 450 principals. They were OUTSTANDING, filled with passion and soul. I was so very proud of them and a massive THANK YOU to Ms Moana Thorn who liaised with the conference coordinator over several months to make this happen. Ka pai mahi! I have received many emails and comments regarding their performances. We will certainly provide a ‘treat’ for these students before the end of the term.

I am attending the ‘QPS Quiz Night’ this evening and am looking forward to the challenging questions (not really) and the fun associated with this event. Look out for the photos in next week’s newsletter!

Happy Paraire

Fi Cavanagh