Kia ora whanau

Tēnā koutou kātoa ngā whānau o te kura

Term Two has been another busy, exciting and successful term! While the end of Term Two marks the halfway point in the year for our junior students, incredibly, our senior students now only have 14 weeks left of timetabled classes before NCEA externals begin. Our students should enjoy the opportunity to have a good rest over the term break and come back refreshed and ready to continue working towards achieving their academic goals.

Please be aware that school will finish eight minutes early on Friday 5^th July. This is due to the ‘Principal’s Cross Country Challenge’. There were eight students who finished in front of me in the Senior Cross-Country, and as a consequence, one minute for each student has been deducted from the last period on the last day of the term. This challenge represents a fun component for the students on the day, but clearly I need to work harder on my fitness for next year’s race!

Student Achievement

Mr Fraser Graham has recently provided College leadership with an achievement progress report. This report, combined with the predictive academic tracking systems we utilise in the College offer a clear picture of achievements across the College. Our pastoral team and teaching teams are utilising this data alongside their records of achievement other indicators of success (and stress) to ensure we collectively work toward the best possible outcomes for all of our students. In addition to the subject reports you will have received recently, our teaching and pastoral teams will continue communicating with you to provide guidance around support for the benefit of your child(ren)’s achievement.

Student Leave in Term Time:

There continues to be a worrying number of requests for holiday leave in term time. Schools, along with parents and guardians, are legally responsible for making sure students attend school. Under Section 25 and section 31 of the The Education Act 1989, every school Board must take all reasonable steps to make sure students attend school when it is open. Our College procedure requires leave of three or more days of this nature to be granted by the Principal. While I appreciate there are sometimes special circumstances that necessitate these requests, I again ask for your support to avoid term time when planning holidays where possible.

It is also important to note that students who miss College and/or NCEA assessments due to family holidays during term time cannot expect to be given an opportunity to make alternative arrangements for these. This will be at the teacher’s discretion.

Community consultation surveys

At the beginning of Term 3, we will be seeking community consultation as part of our self-review process in the following areas:

1. Senior Curriculum design
2. Future Pathways (careers and guidance support)
3. The provision of learning with digital devices (BYOD) in 2020 and beyond
4. The draft Aquinas College Graduate Profile

This will be followed by consultation on the provision of pastoral care in the College, later in the term.

Staffing Changes

I would like to advise of the following new staff additions. We are delighted to have made four exceptional appointments.

Mrs Hannah Hobbs has been appointed as the Head of Learning Support and will begin at the start of Term 3.  In addition to this leadership role, Mrs Hobbs will also assume responsibility for the Specialist Teacher role in the Learning Centre.  Mrs Hobbs’ has a significant background in classroom teaching, learning support and leadership positions.  Her recent employment is with RTLB, with previous roles as a SENCO and Literacy Leader in other New Zealand schools.

Mr Tim Rout was recently appointed as the Assistant Leader of Learning for Mathematics and will begin at the start of Term 3.  Mr Rout has taught at Tauranga Girls’ College for the past six months and was previously a tagged teacher, HOD Mathematics, and for a short time, an Assistant Principal at Rosmini College. As Mr Rout begins at the College in this role, he will support Mrs Katy Thorne as she becomes the Leader of Learning for Mathematics.

Mrs Helen Flore was recently appointed in a fixed term, part time French teaching position. Helen taught in England schools, largely Catholic schools, for 12 years before emigrating to New Zealand.  Mrs Flore has a strong faith and comes to us highly recommended.  In order to enable a smooth transition, Mrs Flore began in Week 9 in an observational capacity.

Ms Catherine Mahoney has been appointed in a fixed term Gateway, STAR and Careers administration role. Ms Mahoney is a graduate from Otago University and has experience in working in schools in a diverse range of roles.  Ms Mahoney has made a wonderful start to this position, fostering links with industry and building strong relationships with our students.

Regretfully, I must also advise of the following departures:

Mrs Justine Roberts is retiring at the end of this term. Along with her leadership role as the College’s SENCO, Mrs Roberts has also worked in the Science and Year 7/8 faculties during her time at Aquinas.  Mrs Roberts is retiring from teaching to spend more time with family and farming life.  We thank Mrs Roberts for her service, commitment and expertise to the College over the past 10 years.

Mrs Evelyn Knights has accepted a job in Turkey with the Istanbul International Community School and as a consequence, leaves at the end of the term.  Mrs Knights has given eight and a half years exceptional service to this middle-leadership position and we thank her for her excellent work.  Mrs Knights has role-modelled her Catholic faith in her daily life which we give thanks for, along with her extra-curricular service to the Aquinas Chess Club and the Air Pistol Club.

Ms Emma Craw finishing at the end of the term as well.  After three and a half years outstanding service to Aquinas, Ms Craw has secured a position with the software company, Education Perfect.  Ms Craw’s warm and bright personality will be missed by staff and students.  Her flair for all things French along with the passion she has for the French language, will be also be sorely missed.

Finally, Mrs Kiely Cummings, the College’s Specialist Teacher (in a long-term relieving capacity) is leaving at the end of the term.  Mrs Cummings has secured a permanent position at Tauranga Girls’ College.  Mrs Cummings curriculum expertise has been very much appreciated at Aquinas College; as has her sincere friendly manner with students and staff.

These four ladies have all made a significant impact on our College and will be sorely missed. On behalf of the students, staff and community, I thank them for their service and wish them well in their new adventures.

2020 Term Dates

 The 2020 term dates are below. We have worked with St. Mary’s School and St. Thomas More School to share a common start of year date.

 Term 1

30^th – 31^st January – Teacher only days + 2020 Student Executive leadership camp

30^th January – Course confirmation for senior students

3^rd February – All Students present (College pōwhiri and Mass for new students and families

Ends Thursday 9^th April

 Term 2

Starts Tuesday 28 April

Ends Friday 3 July

 Term 3

Starts Monday 20 July

Ends Friday 25 September

 Term 4

Starts Monday 12 October

Ends Wednesday 9 December*

* Potentially subject to change – dependent on the allocation of teacher only days.

Bingo Beats Fundraiser

While the College PTA fundraiser is covered in more detail in this Newsletter, I wanted to thank and commend the PTA for their extensive planning that led to a very successful night. While I was unable to attend due to being away on College business, I have received lots of very positive feedback about the evening. Thank you also to our community for your wonderful support of this night. Our students, through their clubs and codes, are the big winners of this event!

This newsletter is full of the rich and varied ways in which our students are achieving and contributing to our College. Our philosophy of holistic education is celebrated in their Special Character, cultural, performing arts and sporting achievements, together with a continued emphasis on every student working to their academic potential.  I wish you all a safe and relaxing term break and I look forward to another successful school term starting on Monday 22^nd July, 2019.

May God’s Blessings be upon us all.

Matt Dalton

Principal