Kia ora tātou

It is certainly feeling like the middle of winter! At this time of year, when it is dark going to work, busy days, and then dark again going home, I have always found I go to ground a bit and forget to put my head up to look at the wider view that is gained from being higher up and looking out. Last year I wrote about ‘getting up on the balcony’ – wise words I heard from a high performance mentor a few years ago. In the midst of illnesses, cold weather, and sometimes a sense of ‘groundhog day’, we forget to take a breath, get up on the balcony and see the bigger picture. Part of that bigger picture is remembering to be grateful for the people around us. And so, I would like to take the opportunity to be grateful.

To the parents who support our college and speak positively about it in the community, thank you.

To those staff, parents and students who support teams, performances, youth masses, and competitions, at night, early mornings and during the weekends, thank you. You are wonderful role models and we need you involved.

To the parents who raise matters in a timely, solution focussed way with the right person so issues can quickly be sorted, thank you.

To the staff who constantly watch out for their colleagues and support our community in small, unseen, but such important ways – you are appreciated.

To our students who take up opportunities to develop personally, encourage friends to do the same, and represent our college in a such a positive light, thank you.

To the parents who ‘back the school’ and work constructively with us in discipline issues, because actually we all want what is best for your child, and for understanding that we sometimes see a diffferent child at school to who they are at home - thank you. We don’t ‘enjoy’ discipline consequences and parents who complain and blame are forgetting the most important persons in the equation – their child.

To families who instil ‘commitment and accountability’ in their young people - thank you, because that means we have a full team on the field, and practices are a valuable use of busy people’s time.

To our wider Catholic community in Dunedin who are loyal to what we stand for and ‘fly the flag’ for Catholic schooling, thank you.

So much can be achieved when we work together. It truly does take a village to raise a child, so to everyone who is part of our Kavanagh village – we appreciate you.

Ngā mihi nui