From the tumuaki | principal 2023 Term 3 Week 8

Tēnā koutou

It was with relief and affection that we welcomed Chemistry teacher Mrs Marianne Daines on Monday. Marianne, happily retired, heard our call for help and knew the angst that students face when their teacher goes on leave, as well as the pain for both the teachers trying to fill gaps and the teacher having to leave classes. This caring nature of teachers is something we should celebrate. Like all workforces, teachers get hit with sickness and personal issues that require time off sometimes; unlike other workforces, we can’t slow the production line! So we rely on teachers who are prepared to come in and do their best with students they don’t know well. Parents, please have a chat with your children about how important it is to show respect, manaakitanga, hospitality, to these teachers so that learning can continue as well as possible.

This was Derived Grade exam week for senior students. Whilst these exams are ‘mocks’ or practice exams for externals in November, they provide a valuable opportunity for feedback from teachers and evidence for ‘derived grades’ should anything prevent a student’s attendance at exams. On that, the phrase “external assessment” applies to any assessment that we send away to be marked - traditional exams or assessments done in class that are not marked by our teachers. “Internal assessments” are marked by our teachers. Both are worth credits but in the new NCEA structure a certain proportion of assessments must be external. My thanks to all the organisational work from Asst Principal Carrie Whyte and her team, notably SENCo Lesley Pengelly with the mammoth task of organising Reader-Writers; also the teachers who have done so much marking and not least the amazing team of volunteer Reader-Writers who help students to get their knowledge out.

Our Whānau Hui on Wednesday was really well attended, with about 100 people including students. We were treated to kapa haka from the Kāhui Ako (years 1-8) and DHS (years 7-13) as well as celebrating the success of the 3M mindfulness programme and learning with Janelle Riki-Waaka.

Our Board really wants to know your thoughts on how we’re progressing so, in the next few weeks, you’ll be sent both a survey and we’ll do some random phone calls. Please do share your thoughts to help us to gauge our progress and next steps.

Noho ora mai (stay in good health)

Andy England

Key dates:

See https://darfield.school.nz/calendar/

Week 10 Koru Games (years 7&8)

22 Sept Last day of term 3

9 Oct First day of term 4

3 Nov Last day for seniors, Gumboot Friday