Kia ora

This is our final newsletter for 2017. It has been another year of building - building our school, building our playgrounds, building our roll, building our staff, building our culture, building our vision. It is important in times of rapid change to remind ourselves where we have come from. 

This time a year ago I reported to the Board a roll of 340, last night I reported a roll of 434. Our staff numbers will hit 34 in the new year, both teaching and support staff. All of this makes for challenging times, times though that our Board and team have proven they are up for. When I am talking with those visiting us they often ask what contributes to Shotover going well? The clear thing our team possess is a mindset to learn. Regardless of age, rank, title or status our team are learning, always looking for ways to improve and be better. This can only be good for your kids.

Thank you for working with us as we made our way through 2017. Schools are learning focussed organisations, a mixture of many, many people with varied and diverse experiences all bringing a range of value sets and expectations to the table. This in essence is what makes it such a rich and rewarding ride. We appreciate your support, time and resource in making our vision real and the opportunities for our kids to be treasured.

Meri Kirihimete (Merry Christmas) from me and mine, to you and yours. All the very best for 2018, I’m looking forward to catching up on the other side.

Ka kite

Ben Witheford