That was certainly an interesting Term 3, and I think that students and staff will have been very pleased to get to the end of it.

Of course, this last term was especially challenging with managing the effects of COVID in the school. Mask-wearing made teaching and learning difficult at times but the reduced timetable helped to balance teacher workloads and stress brought on by the shortage of relief teachers, and students enjoyed the shorter day. A huge thank you to everyone for their understanding and support over this period.

Suddenly though, we are at the business end of the school year for our senior students. NCEA exams loom, but there are plenty of opportunities for students to get support from class revision, tutorials and online help – further information on this can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

We’ve been busy with Family Meetings with our new 2023 Year 9 students and their families, and we’re looking forward to having them join UHC next year. If you are still to enrol a child here or know of someone who hasn’t got their paperwork in yet, please contact us asap. Our option structure in Year 9 means that many subjects are getting close to capacity and we don’t want students to miss out on their first choices.

We continue to strongly encourage students to bring their own learning device (chromebook, tablet, laptop) to school to support their learning. Many subjects now include learning via their Google Classroom, allowing students to catch up, or revise learning, at home. The use of devices as a technology tool, and being able to use them effectively and efficiently, is becoming more important - even NCEA exams are increasingly being offered as online exams. A chromebook, as used at Intermediate, is fine for our juniors and will continue to be sufficient into the senior school. Seniors taking more specialised subjects may need to upgrade at that point.

You may have noticed some different voices and names in our office. Our new receptionist is Belinda Walker, who is also our Homestay Manager, Sharyne King is our new Administration Office – Accounts, and our Office Manager is Kirsten Hicks. Tanya Greig moves into the Business Manager position. We have also farewelled Teacher Aides Rick Everson, a familiar face to many students, and Potene Rolls-Pawai who has been supporting students in Awhina – we wish them both every success in the future.

It can’t be all work and no play at school, and this newsletter highlights the many activities – both inside and outside the classroom – that are taking place. Of course, there are countless times learning, adventure, friendship and fun can be had at the same time – the article on the recent 9 Adventure tramp is a great example of that (and an excellent piece of writing too – thanks Elliot).

I hope these holidays allow everyone to the chance to recharge and enjoy the break.

Ngā mihi nui

Judith Taylor

Principal