Principal News

It is hard to believe that it was a year ago when indoor assemblies were banned, no singing, no dancing, no inside sports, basically no fun.  Perhaps the hardest part for the students was that it was hard to read people's facial expressions as we were wearing masks and as well as living in a period of massive uncertainty.  This ranged from the relatively mundane of can we go ahead with camps, to the anxiety the children would have felt if they were worried about their parent's jobs or loved ones health.

At the time, we dealt with it the best that we could by following the Ministry of Education and Health directives and trying to focus on our students and communities mental and physical health while also teaching in both the virtual and real world.

In hindsight, I think we probably didn't fully comprehend at the time the significant impact this had on the students and their behaviours.

But what a difference a year makes!  It has been a wonderful start, with the Year 8 students setting the tone in the playground about what is expected.  The Year 7s have more than risen to the challenge of their new school and, for the most part, are settling into life at Tahuna. 

The ability to set out our expectations at assemblies and meet the teacher evenings has helped.  But I think it is the positive attitude and the ability to get involved in some fun activities that have been pivotal to the great start that we have had.  

It has also been wonderful to see that the school is almost up to full speed with our programmes now.  Sports have all started, the first of our classes have been away to camp, our math extension programme started yesterday, and our kapa haka group Taiopeka gave a rousing farewell to Eb Paea today, who is leaving the school as our beloved caretaker to start his training as a teacher.  We wish him all the very best and warmly welcome Peter Hampton as our new caretaker.

I would like to thank all of the parents who are supporting the school with those little things like correct school shoes or jewellery before they leave home and wearing high vis vests if they are riding or scooting to school.

Nga mihi nui

Simon Clarke