Ngā mihi ki a koutou

Term 2 has been a very different term from normal. We started the term during CoVid-19 Level 4 when the school operated remotely with learning programmes being delivered through Google classroom and Google meets. The announcement that we would move into Level 3 saw school reopen for children of essential workers. Level 2 saw the whole school transition back to school with measures in place to minimise the transmission of CoVid-19. Since the move to Level 1 with the resumption of sports and cultural activities life has returned to the ‘new normal’.

Our focus this term has been very much on supporting our young people. Their wellbeing has been a key consideration as has ensuring that all young people continue to progress in their learning. For Years 11-13 our focus has been on making sure that they are provided with the opportunities to achieve NCEA this year. As you are aware the New Zealand Qualifications Authority has also put in place a number of measures to support students.

Here at Rangiora High School and nationally, there has been much interest and investigation into what we can learn from the period of remote learning that can inform how we develop learning programmes to better meet the needs of young people. As you are aware, we asked for your feedback during lockdown, and we have also interviewed samples of students and staff. This is currently being analysed and will help inform the development of a new Year 9 - 13 programme of learning to be introduced in 2021 school wide. The focus of Learning Advisory is to develop our young people’s capabilities to live, learn, work, and contribute as active members of their communities. As they move from Year 9 – 13 students will be supported and challenged to develop their capabilities in contexts that are increasingly wide-ranging but also are shaped by the pathways that they (can) choose as they transition from school.

2021 also sees a new format timetable for Years 9 and 10. As well as introducing Learning Advisory as a four hour programme, Ako has been reduced to eight hours per week to provide students with the opportunity to have more choice in the contexts / topics that they study. Students will still need to study a language in Year 9 and by the end of Year 10 they will have chosen both an Art and a Technology elective. We will be providing more information through the subject selection process at the beginning of Term 3.

Subject selection is a very important process for all our young people. Term 3 marks the beginning of this process. We will be providing further information through email, and on the website. Some important dates to look out for:

 - Senior Selection Course evening  on Tuesday 4 August – careers and subject specialists will be available to talk to you and your child about their subject choices for 2021. 

- Academic Counselling day on Thursday 13 August provides an opportunity for you and your child to discuss their 2021 subject choices with your child’s form teacher.

Term 3 also sees a number of opportunities for you to have your say on changes that are being discussed. In Week 1 of Term 3 we will be sending out our bi-annual consultation on Health Education here at Rangiora High School. It will be followed by a survey to inform you about the development of a Master Plan for the development of the school property. While this is a long term development, dates and funding have yet to be confirmed by the Ministry of Education. We are keen to progress the development of the Education Brief that underpins the development of the Master Plan. We will be asking for your feedback on what you think is important in the development of learning programmes which will then inform the development of the Master plan for the development of facilities and property. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Karen Stewart

Principal / Tumuaki