Find out a little about our International Languages week, Big Sing and coming up next week Tāima Kōrero and further industrial action.

Tēnā koutou katoa,

We have been celebrating our International Languages week and our International Leader Momo Seino has organised some great activities for ākonga to enjoy. Today we have a range of cultural dress being worn which indicate the range of cultures and backgrounds we can celebrate in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are pleased to have our choirs attending the Big Sing Regional competitions today and I look forward to joining the Gala Concert in the Town Hall this evening. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in the diverse choral talents from a range of schools in Canterbury. All students have worked very hard to reach the standard that we are delighted to hear.

You have had several communications from us about the Tāima Kōrero evening on Tuesday next week which offers parents and caregivers an opportunity for an update on this important subject of online safety, for the safety and wellbeing of our students throughout their lives. As parents and whānau, you continue to have considerable influence in shaping your daughter’s beliefs and attitudes, but we all recognise the power that social media can wield over their young minds. When access to material that does not accord with our worldview is not just readily available, but pushed through algorithms without consent, we need to be well equipped to support our rangatahi in their discernment. Many of you will have been deeply concerned by reports of sexual harassment surveys conducted within schools and the types of behaviour our young women have been subjected to. I recommend this evening to you as an opportunity for you to support all your children.

We also have reminders in this newsletter about the PTA fundraiser, which is a great evening of entertainment at the Court Theatre. There is nothing quite like live theatre, and I understand this is a great show. Another fundraiser of real value for our community is Tina Duncan’s Matariki Hākari ideas in her cooking class for the Villa Maria Foundation. I have been fortunate to attend these evenings at the College, as well as her own private classes, and there are always fabulous recipes on offer, and great tips offered that I have found tremendously helpful in the kitchen. The Foundation provides scholarships for students to attend Villa Maria College, who might otherwise not be able to afford the fees. I recommend both evenings to you if you are able to participate, and support our ākonga as well as enjoying yourselves!

You will also see that we have further industrial action over the next few weeks and there will be inevitable disruption. We are sorry for the impact this will have on ākonga and whānau, and we are doing all we can to minimize this impact, while supporting our teachers in their struggle.

Ngā mihi mahana,

Deborah Brosnahan

PRINCIPAL