I hope everyone has had a relaxing and refreshing holiday break - it's certainly been a much-anticipated 2 weeks after a unique first term.

I'm very pleased with the way that our students and staff met the challenges of the term as the Omicron outbreak started to impact on the school. Many staff were affected and had to isolate, whether they caught it or were household contacts. Their absence put an additional load on those staff remaining at school, but there was a real sense of supporting each other and going the extra mile to ensure that the classes at school were covered and teaching and learning continued.

Our students handled it in different ways. For some, it was definitely a case of deja vu, they missed the routine of school and it was hard to stay motivated. Others enjoyed the freedom to choose the pace of their learning. Many appreciated being in the classroom with their teachers.

We know that the lack of a solid start to the year and first term has been unsettling. Our Year 9 students didn't experience our powhiri, we've missed being able to come together in assemblies, and wearing masks has made it challenging in the classroom.

So, we look forward to Term 2, with a 'resetting' of those key messages around who we are as a school, and what we do as members of the UHC community. Our seniors in particular will need to work solidly over the remainder of the year if they wish to meet their academic goals and gain their NCEA - support from home will be important for this.

Property News

• Finally, work has started on completing Te Manawa Atea - with the construction of a kitchen and wharekai adjoining the wharenui. While disruptive for a short period, we are looking forward to having the whare completed!
• The fire of 2019 meant that our Foods room was relocated to the prefab at the front of the school. The plans have long been drawn up for the relocation of Foods back into the old Textiles room, and we are moving closer to engaging contractors for this. 

ANZAC Day

It was great to accompany our Head Students - Ammon Betham and Sasha McNeil - to the Upper Hutt ANZAC Day Dawn Service, where they laid a wreath on behalf of the Upper Hutt College community.

Term 2

Elsewhere in this newsletter, there is information on the start of the new term, uniform, and our ongoing response to COVID over Term 2. I appreciate your support with all of these matters.

Looking forward to the new term,

Judith Taylor

Principal