Term 3 Issue 5 Newsletter

Kia ora e te whanau o Whangaparāoa,

Over the last two weeks our seniors have been sitting their end of year school exams.  These exams are part of our learners final preparations for their formal end of year external assessments.  NCEA exams start on 6 November, and the full calendar can be viewed here. I also want to take this opportunity to confirm that all Year 11 learners will be at school, on a full timetable (unless they have an exam on a specific day) until 8 December.  Whanau of Year 11 learners, we appreciate your support in helping us keep this year group engaged and at school, as they prepare for NCEA Level 2 in 2024.

For all remaining learners, the year is not finished, despite an improvement in the weather this week.  Learning will continue right up to the end of year, 8 December, and it's important that all learners remain positively engaged.  I am sure that all our learners will need some encouragement in this as we enter Term 4 and once again, whānau support is appreciated.

This Friday we say farewell to two of our founding staff members, Kim Osborne and Jason Pocock.  Kim has been Head of Guidance for 18 ½ years and has interacted with many learners and community members in her tenure.  We wish Kim well in her next steps at Mt Albert Grammar School.  Jason was Head of PE before becoming a Deputy Principal at our school.  Jason takes up the position of Principal at Auckland Normal Intermediate at the start of Term 4.  Thank you both for your service and commitment to our school and the wider community.

Our learners have continued to excel over Term 3.  Recently we acknowledged Year 11 learner Zoe Pederson with an Excellence pin at our whole school assembly, after finishing 6th in the world at the Junior World Aquatic Championships.  Our artists have excelled in the North Shore Artravangza, with two learners, Samantha Foster and Bronte Danilo, receiving Outstanding Awards.  We have celebrated language weeks, Wig Wednesday, and this week, Mental Health Awareness Week.  Our learners have experienced Virtual Reality lessons, Science Fairs, MOTAT experience and restorative planting in our wetlands area.  It's been a busy term with so many learning opportunities for all year levels.  A huge thank you to our staff and community for making learning so enjoyable and interactive.

Our Student Board of Trustee elections closed last week, and Charlie Teviotdale has been appointed the Student Representative on the Board.  I want to take this opportunity to thank Jessica Washer for her two years service on our Board.  Her contribution to our school and community has been immense, and I know that as she focuses on her studies and sporting commitment, she leaves big shoes for Charlie to fill. 

If you are travelling over the upcoming school holidays, please travel safely.  For all our learners, please do take a well needed break, and come back in Term 4 ready to finish the year off positively and achieve the best possible results you can.


Ngā mihi

Steve McCracken
Tumuaki | Principal

September

20             Enrolment interview evening
21              Mental Health Awareness Day - Learners to wear green
                  accessories
22              Last day of Term 3

October

9                First day of Term 4
10               Enrolment open day tour
17               Enrolment interview evening
23              Labour day
26              Senior prize giving
27              Year 12 & 13 last day of classes
30              Year 13 Graduation
31               Year 13 Leavers dinner

November

2                Year 8 HPV Vaccination
3                Gumboot Friday
6 - 30        NZQA Exams
20              Year 10 Camp

December

1 - 5           NZQA Exams
8                Last day of Term 4