Last newsletter for the year… that all seems to have gone very fast!

It is hard not to be reflective at this time of year… It is the time that staff come in and have conversations about what is going well at our kura and what might be some things they have seen over the year that might need to be a work on for next year. I really value these conversations and hope that you as whānau also feel like you could reach out to discuss your thoughts with me. I really value these emails and share them with my senior leadership team.

It is also the season to receive invites to all sorts of things and I have so enjoyed the opportunities to see all parts of our kura celebrate the year over the last four weeks or so. These include the very successful student-run ‘Graduation’ event for Leavers that was held in our new Auditorium. It was so great to welcome students, staff and families into this new space and it seemed fitting that this was the first event held there! A big thank you to Lilly and Bee who had the idea and hosted the event.

Another event that has stood out for me is the Community English celebration of learning that was held at Champion St. This celebrated adult learners who are at Hagley to improve their English and they performed, sang and celebrated their achievements! I felt like quite the celebrity! Thank you, Clyde, for your exceptional organisation of the event. I promise I will read your run sheet in advance next year!

We unveiled Kowhaiwhai panels in the Pre School which were designed by whānau member James Henare. They are incredible and tell the Kaupapa of Te Pito o Te Puna Wai o Waipapa.

I have really loved being part of these events and I am so grateful that I get these opportunities, and for that I feel super fortunate.

Our Year 9 and 10 students have their last day today and I can hear the music playing and can see the inflatables outside of my window! I spoke yesterday to Year 9 and 10 at an awards assembly. My message for Year 9 was not to worry if this year hasn’t been all smooth sailing! Some students take some time to get this high school thing and they will be better for this in that they now know the school, know their teachers care about them and their learning and will be in a good place to hit the ground running next year. They may also have the confidence to try out a new activity or be part of the student council.

For Year 10 I hope they enjoyed the year as things get a bit more real next year, although that is nothing to be nervous about. From speaking to students I have a couple of tips that can help with NCEA Level 1. They are:

Tip #1 Be here on time every day unless you are sick. Sounds simple and is simple! Students who are here more do better at NCEA Level 1. There can be a fine line between work being handed in and sitting in a bag or on a laptop almost finished. Being at school means this work often gets handed in!

Tip #2 Monitor your credits! This could be via the portal or ‘old school’ using a wee notebook or on their phone. Students who are keeping track of their credits tend to do better too. These are small things that can be supported from home! We will do our very best here too!

Personally, I have had a great year and I love this job. I have a reason to be out and about and in classes and I love that. I have goals for next year around supporting our new teachers to our kura to make this the best place to work in Ōtautahi and to set attendance targets that, with your support as parents, we can achieve. Most of all I will continue my journey to being a well-respected Tumuaki/Principal and I will keep our students and what is best for them at the front of my team's decision making.

I’d like to thank you all for your support of me and our kura over the year. I feel incredibly grateful to have such a supportive school community. Have a lovely Christmas and holiday and I’ll look forward to catching up with you all in the New Year. Bring on 2023 with two new buildings and a new cohort of awesome Year 9 ākonga.

Nāku noa, nā

Rowan