Time for a brain break and a focus on Hauora

Teachers and Parents making a difference

This year marks my 34th year in the teaching profession. I have many fond memories of the young men and women that I have seen and influenced over those years. There has also been a lot of change in the education sector during that time but also huge changes to the social fabric of society. All of this plays out in schools as schools are a representation of our community and of the impacts (both positive and otherwise) of that change. My colleagues are working extremely hard to not only manage the learning in the classroom but also to support young people to make good decisions, to live our values, and to ensure they are engaged in learning both inside and outside of the classroom. This includes the myriad of sports, arts, cultural clubs, teams, and activities offered at TGC. As parents and caregivers, we ask that you support your young person by encouraging them to self-manage, to come to school prepared for learning, and ensure that they attend every day unless unwell and explained by yourself. We appreciate the parental support we continue to receive and know that it takes all of us to make a difference during all stages of a young person's upbringing. We therefore make no apology when we also need to contact you if things are not going well and your young person is not making good decisions. Your conversation with your daughter and or young person about their positive footprint at school is important and a necessary part of your support for us and them.

Phone Free Kura - an update

A huge thank you to staff and of course students for their compliance with our Phone Free Kura. We continue to have great compliance and all students are very aware of the rules and consequences if caught. Remember, if your young person or daughter needs to call anyone, they do this via the student office or can speak to one of the dean's team. We are certainly enjoying the laughter, chatter, and games being played instead of a focus on phone screens.

Learning, being active, noticing, connecting, and giving are five ways to support your well-being. Being a phone-free kura certainly helps the wellbeing of our young people. Most students are meeting this expectation. Those who have chosen not to follow the expectation have had their phone removed for the day as per our shared consequences and phone-free expectations. Thank you for your support. 

Common Assessment Activity (CAA’s) - Year 10

Students in Year 10 (and above who have yet to attain the qualification) will have their first opportunity to sit the literacy and numeracy standards in May. Literacy and Numeracy are a requirement to attain an NCEA qualification. Literacy and Numeracy are not only attained in English and Mathematics but students have the best chance of attaining them through their Year 10 subjects. This is a nationwide assessment and takes place during each school's nominated period in May and again in September. More information can be found here

Formalising Mentoring for Yr 9 and 10 Ākonga

Matua Clayton, Whaea Elena, and Nia form our mentoring team. Matua Clayton is establishing a more formal mentoring programme with the support of our Year 9 and 10 DPs. Referrals are made by our Deputy Principals and engagement is made via our parents/whānau. Goal setting and behaviour expectations are all part of our mentoring initiative.

Attendance for you and your young person or daughter

Regular school attendance is vital to well-being, social engagement, and academic success. The parent portal is also available for you to check. Please contact the school if there is to be an absence so that this can be recorded. Students who cannot meet the 85% attendance expectation will not be eligible to represent the school in sporting, arts, and cultural occasions, as these privileges will be kept for those who meet the target. Thank you to those parents who attended our Pasifika fono, whānau hui and our NCEA information events.

Our Poutama House Badge is a gift

We are a PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning) school, and as such, our behaviour expectations are framed around our school's values of Manaakitanga (respect), Mahi Tahi (participation), and Mana Motuhake (pride). Full details can be seen on our website. Students who are not meeting our expectations by ensuring they are respectful, prepared for learning, and taking pride in their uniform, self and others can expect consequences. Tauranga Girls’ College has high expectations for all students, and this is reiterated in the badge that each student is gifted when attending our school. The Poutama pattern on the house badge celebrates aspirations, a stairway to better and higher places. It reflects growth and the challenges that lie ahead. It reflects life both in and outside of school. There are several layers of consequences. Class withdrawal, restorative conversation, guidance support, mini chats, and learning behaviour monitoring are some examples. Parents are informed. The more formal channels included stand downs (up to 5 days per term) and can also include suspension where a student and their whanau meet with the Board of Trustees disciplinary committee. The positive rewards are with our PB4L cards, congratulatory emails, letters, canteen vouchers, and certificates to name a few.

Connecting at Tauranga Girls’ College

Don't forget to connect with us and be kept up to date with our two social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), our fortnightly pānui, the Tauranga Girls’ College website, the parent portal (including for attendance), and checking your emails. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to email my colleagues. Their email addresses can be found on our website. Please do not expect to see a teacher without making a prior appointment. Appointments can be made via the email process and directly with that staff member or by calling the office, who will then share your message with the relevant staff member.

Enjoy the brain break and all that is Easter. We return to school on Wednesday 3 April

Tara Kanji

Tumuaki/Principal