Happy New Year to you all and welcome to the start of the 2021 school year

Dear Parents & Caregivers

We have already completed our first week of term 1 and it has been a very settled start. The students returned to school looking smart in their summer uniforms and generally excited about the year ahead. They have also settled quickly into their courses and already well underway with their learning programmes. I have been visiting classes on a regular basis and am pleased to see some engaging and innovative teaching across the levels.

I would like to thank all our parents and caregivers for ensuring that students started the school year with the proper uniform and stationery items. I was very pleased overall with the standard as I am aware that it is increasingly difficult for some families to outfit students with uniform as well as laptops and stationery items.

What’s new for 2021?

We welcome 1 new staff member this year. Ms Kerryn Olsen joins us from Kavanagh College in Dunedin and is a teacher of English and Religious Education.

This year each senior student (yr. 11, 12, 13) has been assigned a Learning Advisor. The first meeting with the Learning Advisor was at course confirmation. Students will meet with their Learning Advisor each Wednesday morning period 1 and a progress email will be sent home fortnightly. The purpose of the Learning Advisor is to provide pro-active academic mentoring and to ensure regular communication with parents and caregivers. The Learning Advisor replaces the former House Group teacher but does not replace the year level Dean. Rather, the Learning Advisor supports the Dean. Pastoral matters will continue to be handled by the Dean and/or the Wellbeing Team.

Junior students (yr. 9-10) are all enrolled in a Capabilities Class which also takes place each Wednesday morning period 1. The purpose of this capabilities class is to help students develop key 21st century skills they will need as they progress through school and beyond. As part of this class, they will be building their own personalised website that will serve as their ‘living C.V.’ and will be shared with parents and caregivers. We will encourage them to add their achievements outside of school as well to provide a well-rounded profile. As soon as students have their site up and running, they will be able to share it with you.

This year our yr 12 & 13 students will be able to participate in Flexday every Wednesday. I want to dispel any rumours and make it clear that this is not an optional day away from school as some students have misinterpreted. Rather it is an opportunity for students to engage is some personalised learning. As students have a range of diverse needs and interests, Flexday will provide opportunities for revision, extension, and interest/passion modules. It will also allow some of our students to take part in workplace opportunities without missing classes. Flexday opportunities will be arranged in conjunction with the Learning Advisor and will not start until week 8 of term 1. Prior to that we will publish all the offerings available to students on Flexday. I have seen this model work quite successfully in some other secondary schools and I know that many students are excited about being provided with choice and options about how, what and when they study.

Our final change for 2021 relates to the Timetable. In order to incorporate Learning Advisory, Capabilities and Flexday, we have moved to a 6-period day. The advantage of a 6-period day is that it allows students to meet more often with their teachers and ensures continuity of learning. It also allows us to offer double periods (50+50min) for subjects requiring more time, such as practical subjects.

I am very excited about these changes for 2021 as I believe that they are responsive to the needs of our current students and will also keep parents and caregivers engaged and informed. If you have any questions about any of the changes listed above, I encourage you to make contact with your student’s Learning Advisor, Capabilities Teacher or Dean who will be able to provide further clarification or explanation.

The new yr 9 students are now well acquainted with the College after their induction and gaining a bit of confidence and the yr 13 leaders are doing a great job setting the tone for the year. They are very enthusiastic and able group and keen to get some new initiatives up and running.

Here are a few things you may want to know:

• All College information can be found on the Roncalli College Website (www.roncalli.school.nz)
• Student/Parent Portal - the College office have just sent notification access, if you require assistance with accessing the parent portal, please contact the office for their help 
• School is closed Monday 8 February as the Waitangi Day observance

Until next time