Kia ora, Hello, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Bula, Hola, Fakaalofa atu, As Salam Alaykom, Kon'nichiwa, Hallo, Hoy, Hē leu, Mauri, Ola, Chum reap suor, Kumusta, Ni hao, Xin chào, Namaste

Kia ora koutou

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of Te Kāpehu this term. Have a fantastic holiday with your children.

Board Update Term 1

The board of Te Kāpehu Riccarton School is made up of Hamish Barclay (Presiding Member), Ross Davids, Brett Parker, Aeronwy Cording, Vivian McFee, Delia Talili, Judith Kee (staff representative), Paul Irving (Principal) and this term we seconded Amelia Tukana as a new member. Our board meets twice a term and at other times when needed.

The Board of a primary school in New Zealand has these main jobs:

• Planning: They decide on the school's goals and plans for the future.

• Money Matters: They manage the school's money and decide how it's spent.

• Rules and Policies: They make rules for the school and decide how things should be done.

• Hiring: They choose and manage the principal and other staff.

• Connecting with the Community: They talk to parents and others in the community to make sure everyone's involved in the school.

• Checking Progress: They monitor how well the school is doing and make changes if needed.

• Following the Law: They ensure the school follows all the rules and laws.

• Speaking Up: They speak up for the school and its community when needed.

In short, we govern the school, making sure everything runs smoothly and students get the best education possible.

This term we have;

1) Confirmed our strategic plan and it can be read here; Strategic Plan Link

To summarise this…. We aim to ensure that the Te Kāpehu school's curriculum encourages every student to excel academically and that they feel supported in their learning journey. This includes fostering high aspirations for each student, reducing barriers to education, and promoting proficiency in literacy, numeracy, and cultural understanding. The curriculum aligns with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, incorporating Māori language and culture into everyday learning experiences. We aim for our teachers to be equipped to meet the needs of diverse learners and demonstrate cultural competence to support Māori engagement and achievement. Plans are in place to sustain and enhance literacy and numeracy programmes, implement the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum, and explore the feasibility of a Māori Bilingual unit.

In addition to academic progress, the school prioritises every student and staff member's safety, well-being, and sense of belonging. We want a physically and emotionally safe environment, respecting student rights and promoting inclusivity, free from racism, discrimination, and bullying. We want our pastoral, learning, and behavioural support systems to be interconnected, following the principles of the Te Whare Mauri Ora framework and the school's values. Well-being initiatives include promoting healthy active learning, teaching about the four pillars of well-being, and conducting surveys to assess student experiences and engagement. Through these efforts, we aim to create a nurturing and supportive environment where every student can thrive.

2) We have also been looking at our achievement data and targets from last year. We are still working on this and it will be published soon in our annual report.

3) We have been analysing feedback from our whānau voice, collected in late 2023, and looking at how we can better meet the needs and aspirations of our whānau.

4) We are looking at the new government requirements and working with our staff on improving attendance.

As a board, we are committed to the ongoing success of our school. We recognise that the Upper Riccarton/Sockburn area is growing rapidly with a wide variety of housing. We have our highest Term 1 roll of the last fifty years and the demographic is changing to an even more diverse student population with a wide range of cultures. As well as this, we have an increasing transient student population, that is ever changing. We back our staff and thank them for their ongoing commitment to our students. We would also like to thank our parent population for being involved in their child’s education!

Have a fantastic week and please encourage your children to be Te Kāpehu All Stars!

Ngā mihi nui

Paul Irving

Tumuaki - Principal