From the tumuaki | principal 2023 term 4 week 5

Tēnā tātou | hello to us all

This week it has been a pleasure to host a delegation from the Japanese town of Yubetsu, with which we have had a relationship for 23 years. In recognition of this, former DHS principal Allison Rosanowski was presented with a special medal for service of educational and cultural merit. We hope to continue to grow our connections with further opportunities for students, such as exchanges and e-sports competitions as proposed by the Mayor of Yubetsu.

A big thanks to the 140+ parents who attended Monday’s presentation by Rob Cope on keeping our kids safe online - I feel confident that you will be able to work well with us to keep your own and others’ kids safer. Those who missed it really did miss out as everyone I spoke to was exceptionally impressed with the evening. The message was very clear: there are very real and truly scary effects of teens having unfiltered access to the internet and it is down to parents to step up and deal with it. Schools already use filters but do you know what your child (or their friends visiting your house) are watching on your wifi? Do you know the effects on your child’s brain and personality development of exposure to porn, gore and high-stimulation games, let alone the active risks of predation and blackmail (“sextortion”) with their online activities? I thought I was knowledgeable through my work but I found there was lots to learn and action needed. Rob’s presentation was as a parent and included strategies for retaking control in our own homes. We will work on getting a video available to parents but in the meantime I strongly suggest parents use Rob’s website linked here. Attached to this is a written summary of the evening for parents, it contains some confronting themes. Thanks to Nicole Reardon for organising, our PTSA and the Malvern Health Trust for supporting the costs of the evening.

Exams are well underway but unfortunately the NZQA has prepared badly and caused real problems for students and staff this week. My thanks to Karen Armstrong and Matt Maude for their preparation and finding a way to help our students. Our local principals association has written to NZQA to request answers and assurance of better preparation for future exams.

Today, Friday, is our junior athletics event and I’m about to go outside and enjoy the action.

Ngā manaakitanga (with kindness/respect)

Andy England

Key dates:

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

Thursday 16 November: Staff Only Day
Friday 17 November: Canterbury Anniversary Day
Monday 20 November: Year 7 & 8 students Rostered Home
Thursday 30 November: Senior Sign out morning (9am-12pm)
Friday 1 December: New Entrants (Year 7) Transition Day
Tuesday 12 December: Junior Prize Giving, Last day for Students