From China! 2023 Term 3 Week 10

Kia ora koutou

I've been in Beijing all week, with a group of principals mostly from Malvern, rebuilding relationships with the education sector following both countries' Covid lockdowns. 

We're being treated incredibly well - manaakitanga at its finest - with guided tours of prime sites such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City as well as university, schools and technology companies, all punctuated by feasts of Chinese food. 

We're being treated like celebrities, for example having our photo taken because we are foreigners which makes us special; everyone goes out of their way to help us. I can't help thinking about the experience of foreigners in our country, that we don't always show manaakitanga at its finest, and feeling committed to doing my bit to make guests' experiences as amazing as ours here. 

We head west tomorrow to visit our sister school, Shandan Baillie, which was founded by Springfield-born Rewi Alley.

Our communication is limited but I heard that Koru Games went well.

At the end of term 3, I want to mihi to all of our staff and student leaders for their commitment to the students, to thank the students for all they do for each other and the school, and thank the parents for their support. Big thanks to our reader-writers who are invaluable with exams and tests. Last but not least, ngā mihi nui to DP Ms Nicola Turner for covering for me while I'm away.

Some seniors will need to study in these holidays but even they need a break. I wish everyone an enjoyable two weeks and look forward to seeing you on 9 October. 

Ngā manaakitanga

Andy England