Kia ora koutou. Talofa. Kia Orana. Malo e lelei. Bula. Fakaalofa atu. Namaste. Kumusta. Warm greetings to the Linwood community. Haere mai to LCŌ.

As we move into the second half of term 3, it is good to think about the principle of collaboration and its importance to our students as they prepare for the global world in which they will live their lives. I have written on this topic before, and will do so again,  because it is increasingly obvious that the global world requires effective interaction with others. IQ alone is not enough. Our EQ – Emotional Intelligence – also matters.

We also now know through neuroscience that IQ-smartness is not fixed but can grow. Effort makes us stronger. In schools, this can get called “growth mindsets.” For more information on this please see Mindset Works.com.

We want our students to have both the necessary NCEA success in knowledge and content-skills, and also leadership and employability expertise. IQ and EQ. This is reinforced by the following seven qualities that NZ employers identify as essential for career development:

1. Positive attitude

2. Communication

3. Teamwork

4. Self-management

5. Willingness to learn

6. Thinking skills (problem-solving and decision making)

7. Resilience

The message is that academic and social learning support one another in personalised pathways, career development and life-success. This message is at the heart of LCŌ of 2019 and beyond.

Finally, schools can be complex places. Therefore, if any member of the community wishes to talk to me about anything, please contact the office, or my direct dial 982 0100 ext 839, to arrange a time for this to occur.  My door is open.

Ngā mihi nui

Richard Edmundson

Tumuaki-Principal