Kia ora e te whānau

Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of representing secondary school principals from across New Zealand as Chair of the Curriculum Advisory Group. This role has involved working alongside Ministry of Education officials, curriculum specialists and school leaders to help shape the implementation of the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum and future qualification pathways.

As part of this work, I have participated in five curriculum roadshows across the country. While this has required me to spend more time away from school than usual, the benefits for Whangaparāoa College are significant. Being directly involved in these discussions gives our school early insight into emerging changes, access to leading educational thinking, and the opportunity to ensure the voices of our learners, staff and community are heard at a national level. It also allows us to prepare thoughtfully for the future and continue providing the very best learning opportunities for our young people.
I would like to sincerely thank our Senior Leadership Team for their support during this time. Their leadership and commitment have ensured the school continues to thrive while also allowing Whangaparāoa College to contribute to the future direction of education in New Zealand.

I would also like to acknowledge the incredible work of our wider staff. As schools across the country continue to implement significant curriculum changes, our teachers and support staff remain firmly focused on delivering high-quality learning experiences for our learners every day. Alongside their classroom responsibilities, staff are currently preparing Mid-Year Reports, meeting with families to discuss learner progress, supporting winter sports and cultural activities, and helping to organise important events across the school. Their dedication, professionalism and commitment to our learners often extend well beyond the school day, and I thank them for the care and energy they bring to our school community.

Closer to home, Mid-Year Reports will be released shortly. These reports provide an important opportunity to celebrate progress, recognise achievement, and identify areas for continued growth throughout the second half of the year. Following the release of reports, our Senior School Meet the Subject Teacher evenings will be held on 23 and 24 June. These evenings provide a valuable opportunity for learners, families and teachers to work together to ensure every learner is well positioned for success.

We are also looking forward to our upcoming Senior School Ball. This is always one of the highlights of the school year and provides an opportunity for our senior learners to celebrate their secondary school journey together. There will be plenty of glitz and glamour on display as learners dress up for what promises to be a memorable evening. More importantly, it is an opportunity for our young people to represent themselves, their families and our wider school community with pride. We look forward to a fantastic evening and thank the staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make these special occasions possible.

As we move through the second half of the term, I encourage all learners to remain focused on their goals, maintain strong attendance habits and continue making the most of the opportunities available to them. The effort invested now will play a significant role in determining success later in the year.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Whangaparāoa College.

Ngātahi, Whakapono, Tutuki - Together, Believe, Achieve

Steve McCracken
Tumuaki | Principal

June

17               Senior Assembly
18               Loves Me Not (Year 12)
20               School Ball
23               Y11-13 Meet the Subject Teacher

                     School closes at 12:30pm

24               Y11-13 Meet the Subject Teacher
                   Junior Assembly
26               Year 9 Winter Formal
29 - 3 Jul    Year 7 Camp

July

02               Matariki Festival - Mahurangi
03               Last day of Term 3

20               First day of Term 3
21               Y7-8 Learner Led Conference
                   Y9-10 Meet the Subject Teacher

                     School Closes at 12:30pm

22               Y7-8 Learner Led Conference
                   Y9-10 Meet the Subject Teacher