Fieldays Friday has traditionally been a Teacher-Only Day in our town and so it is again for us this year. Every time there is a day like this, almost irrespective of whichever school you're with, parents are told it's important for curriculum preparation...or professional development...or some other education-ish reason that no one outside of school really knows anything about. You might read what follows and still have that impression, but here goes:
On a random evening a couple of weeks ago, I spent two hours at the movies, watching The Mandalorian and Grogu. If you've seen this or the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, you’ll know it’s essentially the story of a highly capable (but sometimes stressed) adult doing their best to guide, protect, and prepare a curious young learner for the world ahead.
Sound familiar?
Just like Grogu, our students are:
· Curious about everything
· Full of potential they don’t fully understand yet
· Learning new skills at a rapid pace
· Sometimes distracted by shiny buttons they probably shouldn’t press
They’re on a journey that’s exciting, unpredictable, and full of growth.
At home, you are of course Mando. At school, it's us:
· Guiding students through unfamiliar territory (new subjects, new expectations, NCEA changes)
· Protecting their learning time and wellbeing
· Equipping them with the tools and skills they’ll need for the future
· Knowing when to step in…and when to let them try things themselves
We don’t always carry a jetpack, but we do spend a lot of time thinking about how to best support each student’s journey. Every now and then, even the Mandalorian has to stop and upgrade the armour (spoiler - he needs Grogu's help a lot in the movie), learn new strategies, or figure out what’s changed in the galaxy. That’s where Teacher-Only Days come in.
Right now, with changes to NCEA and the refreshed NZ curriculum, it’s a bit like the entire galaxy has had a system update. New rules, new pathways, new ways of doing things.
These days give us time to:
· Recalibrate our “navigation systems” (understanding new NCEA requirements)
· Upgrade our “gear” (teaching strategies and curriculum design)
· Plan the safest and most effective route forward for your Grogu
Because charging ahead without that preparation would be…ummmm…not The Way.
At the heart of it, the goal is to help each student grow from a curious learner into a confident, capable young person who can navigate the world independently, without needing us (at school and at home) to hover quite so closely. Look up the risks of being either a helicopter or lawnmower parent if you'd like to understand the risks and benefits a bit more.
We know these days aren’t always convenient, and we truly value your support. These changes to NCEA and the curriculum are significant for Aotearoa, and taking the time to get it right is one of the best investments we can make in your child’s learning. We'll be working all day on Friday, focussing on tangible outcomes, and the benefits will be seen in CHS classrooms next year and beyond.
Finally, a quick reminder that applications for 2027 enrolment for students outside of the CHS enrolment zone close on Thursday 25 June. This date has appeared in local media and will be repeated on our channels closer to the time, but please remind anyone you know who is considering CHS for next year - this is not a flexible deadline.
Ngaa Mihi,
PL McAvoy
Acting Principal / Tumuaki
