Kia ora whānau

Tēnā koutou kātoa ngā whānau o te kura

Term Two has been a term like no other in the College’s history. I continue to be tremendously proud of the way our students and staff have managed themselves throughout these trying times. It is essential that all of our students and staff do in fact, take a break over these school holidays. I urge everyone to recharge their batteries so that they come back well-rested at the start of Term 3. 

Moving forward from COVID-19

Thank you to those members of the community who responded to our recent survey where we were seeking feedback as we reflect on our remote learning experience. The College is well-positioned to make meaningful and informed changes in our educational delivery model. We have been working diligently to develop our Graduate Profile progressions and our Vision for Learning at the College. We are now carefully considering changes that will enable us to most effectively deliver on our Graduate Profile’s aspirational outcomes. Your feedback alongside the staff and student surveys are considered emerging evidence to be deliberated against the robust Special Character, pastoral care and curriculum reviews that have been completed as part of our three-year strategic plan. These are exciting times! Please read on in the newsletter for a detailed summary of the feedback we received.

I need to acknowledge our teachers for the way they have taken up the challenge to reflect on their teaching practice following remote learning protocols. As I undertake to walk through classrooms across the College, I have been most impressed with the way I have seen teachers modifying their practice. Our teachers are now integrating digital technologies more seamlessly, providing more autonomy for students and are supporting them to take calculated risks in their learning. Our students are blessed to have such dedicated professionals at our College.  

One concrete initiative we are implementing in Term 3 will be the implementation of four separate self-determined learning days for our Year 11-13 students. The main intention for the self-determined learning days is to enable our practical subjects the opportunity to have dedicated time for students to engage with their projects/experiments/portfolios, which were interrupted by the COVID-19 school closure. The ancillary benefit is to provide dedicated days for our senior students to exercise agency and autonomy over their learning in and around these practical subjects. Comprehensive details will follow from Mr Graham early next term. Still, in summary, on these days, students will have the opportunity to engage in their practical subjects (if applicable). If not, they will self-manage their learning. All students will be off timetable on these days. Students will have the opportunity to opt into subject tutorials, or they can instead choose to manage their learning in supervised classrooms. Year 13 students in possession of a ‘Green Card’ will be able to stay home (with their parent’s consent) to continue with their learning, should they choose to. 

The four self-determined learning days will be held on:

1. Friday 31st July
2. Thursday 13th August
3. Tuesday 25th August
4. Wednesday 9th September

Greerton Village School Service Initiative

While it is captured in more detail in this newsletter, I want to acknowledge all of our community for the way we supported Greerton Village School. Mrs Tarr, Mrs Van Zyl, members of the Student Executive, and other senior students, led a tremendous effort which provided awhi and aroha to a community in need. As I reflect on this incredible effort, I cannot help but consider Pope Francis’ words earlier this year. Pope Francis said laymen and women (people who are not members of the clergy) live out their Christian calling by sharing the gifts they received from God with others rather than keeping them for themselves. He went further to say that Christians are called “to live the faith, not individually or in isolation but in community, as a people loved and willed by God.” “To do this, it is essential to be aware that we are part of a Christian community. We are not just another group, but the family of God gathered around the same Lord,” he said. With ingenuity and personal witness, we can bring the light and joy of the Gospel to others. This is the fruit of the Spirit in action. Thank you to all of you who gave so generously in support of this initiative. 

Staffing Changes

I share with you two very significant staffing updates below:

Mr Graham

Mr Graham has signalled his intention to step down from his role as Assistant Principal at the end of this year. Mr Graham has made this decision on his own accord, seeking to establish a better work-life balance. The Board of Trustees has supported Mr Graham’s intention to seek a role transition into a more full-time teaching timetable while still retaining responsibility for the position of Principal’s Nominee. I wish to publicly acknowledge Mr Graham for his support, wise counsel, unfailing dedication and friendship in our time working together in the Senior Leadership Team. Mr Graham has a big heart which points to Christ, and in my experience, this has always guided his work. While disappointed to lose his expertise from the Senior Leadership Team, I draw confidence in the knowledge that our students will benefit from Mr Graham’s expertise in the classroom. We will suitably recognise and celebrate Mr Graham’s service as a senior leader at the end of the year.

Mrs McKay

It is with great pride and privilege that I can share that Shelley McKay has been appointed to become the foundation Deputy Principal at Suzanne Aubert Catholic School, which will open in January 2021. This is a tremendous achievement, and we congratulate Mrs McKay on her appointment. It is extremely rewarding to see a member of our staff go on to a senior leadership position within the Catholic school network. We congratulate Mrs McKay, and we look forward to working alongside her in this new capacity! Mrs McKay will begin her work alongside Anthony Mills, the foundation Principal, from August. We will miss Mrs McKay’s vibrant personality and many gifts and talents she has blessed the College with since 2016. Please keep Mrs McKay in your prayers as she prepares for her new mission.

Sacraments of Initiation 

We acknowledge and pray for Mr Andrew Duncanson, who is due to complete the RCIA course this week. Mr Duncanson has entered into the final week of preparation to be received into the Catholic Church this Saturday at the 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Mary Immaculate Church. Mr Duncanson has waited a long time to receive the Blessed Sacraments of initiation after being denied this opportunity at the Easter Vigil due to the Covid-19 lockdown. 

In acknowledging Mr Duncanson, I also ask you to keep in your prayers our six students who are currently engaged in their sacramental programme, which was also disrupted by COVID-19.

Student-Led/Three-Way Learning Conversations – 23rd July 

 As advised in one of my recent communications, and the student report information from Mr Graham, the College is holding student-led learning conversations for Years 7-8 students and three-way learning conversations for students in Years 9-13 on Thursday 23rd July. 

 Years 7-8 Student-Led Learning Conversations

The student-led learning conversations are taking place between 9:00am-6:00pm. There are no classes for these students on this day, and parents and whānau are encouraged to book a meeting with your child’s homeroom teacher at a time that is most convenient for you. Bookings are made through schoolinterviews.co.nz. You will have received a booking code with your child’s report. 

 Years 9-13 Three-Way Learning Conversations

The three-way learning conversations are taking place between 2:00pm-7:00pm. Normal timetables will run for these students until lunchtime (12:45pm) on this day. Buses will leave the College at 1:00pm, except for the 2623 (Te Puke), 2534 (Katikati & Omokoroa) and 2615 (Matamata) buses, which will run at their normal time. Supervision will be provided in the library for students who require it.

 Parents and whānau are encouraged to attend with their child and engage their teachers in learning focussed conversations. Bookings are made through schoolinterviews.co.nz. You will have received a booking code with your child’s report.

What is Matariki?

Ko Matariki kei runga, ko te tohu tēnā o te tau!

Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters). Matariki appears in the night sky during mid-winter. According to the Maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of Matariki brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Māori New Year.

The physical appearance of Matariki in the sky was traditionally used by a tohunga (spiritual experts) as a forecast of the year ahead. Clear and bright stars signalled warm and productive seasons, and hazy or shimmering clusters meant a cold winter was coming and ground for crops was prepared accordingly.

Each iwi has their own stories and perspectives about Matariki and celebrates Matariki at different times. Some hold festivities when Matariki is first seen in the dawn sky; others celebrate after the rise of the full moon or at the beginning of the next new moon.

Today Matariki is generally seen as an important time to celebrate the earth and show respect for the land. It is also a time to acknowledge those who have passed away and to plan for the year ahead. Matariki is a good opportunity for all New Zealanders to come together with Māori communities to learn their stories, culture, and language. 

Term 3 Teacher Only Day

As has been previously advised, please note that Monday 10^th August will be a Teacher Only Day. The focus for our staff on this day will be unpacking the Graduate Profile progressions and Vision for Learning we have been developing. Our teams will also have the opportunity to plan on integrating these into their curriculum planning.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support of your child(ren)’s education this term. Education is a partnership, and we are all enriched by your active participation. 

Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki

May God’s Blessings be upon us all. 

M R Dalton

Principal