Kia ora Katou.

As I write my comment for the newsletter, over 50,000 teachers nationwide are striking after months of stalled negotiations with the Government. 

I believe that what is required is more acceptance by those who hold the purse strings, that considerable more investment is required to reduce workload, support those dealing with an increased number of students who have significant behavioural or learning needs and make teaching a far more attractive proposition overall. 

Although it must be extremely difficult to meet the demands of so many different sectors within New Zealand, I also hope that common sense will prevail and that a positive resolution to the issues will be found soon.

The first half of the term has certainly been a busy one with the April holidays now a distant memory. 

I spent the first week of the holidays with 1,200 other delegates from 24 countries at the World Edulead Conference in Singapore. I must say that it was quite refreshing to spend time listening to some world-renowned speakers and discussing the future of education in a global sense; something that will be quite challenging but also very exciting! There were some interesting facts which emerged from the Conference:

• Globally, 80% of all students find school boring or much of it irrelevant
• Globally, there is still too much emphasis on teaching to the test and not enough time developing other skills and passions such as creativity.
• Research suggests that the most effective way of learning is through peer-to-peer interaction in a mixed ability environment.

These facts certainly provide us with food for thought as we continue our vision for future-focused education at Riccarton High School.

We have recently hosted a number of very successful events which have provided us with the opportunity to profile the school and in particular, profile what makes us different. 

Over 200 Year 8 students joined us on a ‘Transition to High School’ day earlier this term; a day which gave them the chance to work with our teaching staff and some of our student leaders. 

The feedback from our in zone contributing schools on this day has once again been very positive. We continue to be the only school on this side of Christchurch who offers this initiative.

A change in format to our Open Night also proved to be very successful recently. Having the option of self-guided or escorted tours to explore various learning areas and to engage with both staff and students, proved to be popular with the most common comments being about our passionate teachers and outstanding student ambassadors.

As we head towards the Board of Trustees parent representative elections, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to three currently elected members who have chosen not to stand again as their children move off to new and exciting opportunities. To our Chairperson, Alan Aitken, and long-serving members, Lynn Shearing and Rosemary Walton, your experience, wise counsel (and sense of humour!) have made a significant difference to the school and it has been appreciated. I look forward to working with the newly elected Board as we enter an exciting phase in the school’s history.

Neil Haywood
Principal