Fill the basket of knowledge

Tēnā koutou katoa,

As of the 1st of September, a new season has begun. In te Ao Māori and other cultures, Kōanga (Spring) is the time when we dig the land, prepare the soil, and remove the weeds to plant new food for the next season. The kōwhai begins to bloom, and the birds sing louder each morning. It is a busy season as we prepare for the restful months of summer.

The features of spring signal that it is time for our Senior students to organise their activities and make clear plans to tackle their examinations.

Our kura has been buzzing with events and energy.

On Friday, the 23rd of August, the Year 13 students visited a variety of tertiary institutions to explore their future pathways. They had the opportunity to attend lectures or engage in informal kōrero with university students.

Saturday's Ball was an epic moment. Our students were beautifully dressed, and the room was filled with glitter and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. I would like to congratulate  ākonga and kaiako involved in the organisation of this superb event.

Last week, we celebrated International Languages Week. Our student leaders, Ashika and Dibora, planned activities every day to celebrate the many cultures we have in our kura. The highlight was Wednesday's assembly, where we had the pleasure of witnessing some of the talents within our school.

We ended the week on a high note with a delicious Dad and Daughter’s breakfast prepared by our Manaaki Rōpū (the new name for our PTA). I would like to personally thank the entire group for their organisation and commitment to this event. It was a lovely moment to share with our community. Thank you also to those who attended; next year, we will plan for even more food!

This week, some of our ākonga are focused on sports as it is Winter Tournament Week. After winning their final game, our Senior A netball team embarked on their journey to Napier. We are looking forward to celebrating their successful season upon their return.

The rest of the school has been focused on career pathways and subject choices. During the extended whānau time on Monday, our ākonga explored a new career website (Tahatū). On Wednesday, we held a career expo during assembly time. The purpose of these activities is to support our ākonga in making decisions about their subjects for next year. The portal is open from this week until the end of Week 9. Please have a kōrero with your daughter and encourage her to approach her teachers if she is unsure about her choices.

To conclude the week, our Year 12 students attended their retreat at the Home of Compassion. All tauira arrived on Thursday at 7 pm and were released at the end of the day on Friday. They all had a wonderful time and are now full of inspiration as they prepare to become leaders next year.

Lastly, we are opening the school for study during the holidays. Please have a look at the schedule attached to this newsletter. We strongly encourage our Senior students to attend these workshops as it will provide an extra support for their studies for next term examinations.