Ko tenei te mihi mahana atu ki a koutou katoa. Ko Tash toku ingoa, Ko Hitchman toku whanau, Ko ahau te tumuaki tuarua

A warm welcome to you all, as I start my exciting role as the new Associate Principal of Waimea College.

I have only been here a few weeks and I already know that Waimea College is an outstanding school where the Waimean Way is very evident, from when you walk through the front gates, walk around the school through classrooms and the grounds, and as I start to meet our students in the wider community.

Waimea College is a place for all, where diversity is respected, opportunities are many and it really is a place to excel. To underpin our mission, Waimea College has three core values (Manaakitanga/Caring, Whanaungatanga/Belonging and Akoranga/Learning) that support us to be a PB4L school. Positive Behaviour for Learning is a framework that helps define us as a school and is brought to life through our daily actions.

A central feature of PB4L practice, is that positive behaviour receives more attention than inappropriate behaviour. To support this we have a system where students can be awarded “Strive tickets” to reward those that display our values. We acknowledge accumulation of points by emails home, certificates and awards at assemblies. You can also check how many “recognitions” your child has obtained when you sign into the Parent Portal.

However, we recognise that there are occasions when students make poor choices and do the wrong things. When dealing with unacceptable behaviour we use these values and the PB4L framework to adopt a firm, fair and consistent approach.

Finally we are here to support all to have a positive experience and I hope your children value Waimea College as a place to excel. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or a member of staff if you have any questions.