In 2025; I (Andrew Retallick) have been appointed as the Lead Principal for the Katote Kāhui Ako, starting in 2025.

I am excited about the opportunity to work across all nine of our local schools and look forward to the many possibilities ahead as we collaborate to enhance the learning experience for our students.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Board of Trustees and our leadership team for their continued support in my role. During the time in this new additional role, Mrs. French will be Acting Principal at Woodend School on Thursdays when I am off site and some Fridays, ensuring that leadership and support for our school community remain strong. Next year Mrs. Bartlett will be released full-time from the classroom in the Assistant Principal role during 2025.

The schools in our Kāhui Ako Cluster include:

• Woodend School

• Pegasus Bay School

• Kaiapoi North School

• Kaiapoi Borough School

• St. Patrick's School

• Kaiapoi High School

• Tuahiwi School

• Clarkeville School

• Ouruhia School

The purpose of the Kāhui Ako is to foster collaboration across schools for the benefit of our students, communities, teachers, and the wider education community. A Kāhui Ako/Community of Learning brings together education providers—ranging from early learning to schools, kura, and post-secondary institutions—to help students achieve their full potential. Each Kāhui Ako sets shared goals or achievement challenges based on the specific needs of its children and young people.

I am excited to see the collective impact we can have and look forward to the opportunities 2025 will bring.

Andrew Retallick