Kia ora koutou,
An 11-week term isn't normal. You see it in the calendar and then it never ends, and so for some it has felt a little like an unexpected journey. Hopefully not wandering aimlessly through Middle Earth, rather a long and well-guided expedition with the occasional detour (and perhaps the odd missing sock).
Across the school, it has been a busy and purposeful time. Classrooms have been focused, assessments have been tackled with determination, and students have been steadily building the knowledge and skills they need for the road ahead. It has been heartening to see so many aakonga showing resilience and commitment, proving that even when the path gets steep, they are willing to keep climbing.
As any wise guide might remind us, one of the most important ingredients for success is simply turning up. Regular attendance makes a real difference, and our attendance numbers have held up well in recent weeks. Learning builds step by step, and missing lessons can make the journey feel much harder than it needs to be. Thank you for your support in ensuring your young hobbits people are present, prepared, and ready to learn each day.
Next week, we will be sharing progress reports, offering a snapshot of how students are travelling so far this year. REACH reports will be available for the entire school, and for Years 11-13 this adds a picture of application at school alongside the live reporting you receive following any assessments.
For Year 9 and 10 students, in addition to the REACH report, you will notice an important shift in the mid-year reporting format. This year, we are using a new reporting format aligned with Ministry of Education requirements. These reports use five progress descriptors to give a clearer and more consistent picture of student achievement:
Emerging – beginning the journey at this level
Developing – gaining skills and knowledge (packing the essentials for the road)
Consolidating – growing in confidence and independence (finding a steady stride)
Proficient – meeting the expected level for the year (reaching the destination for now)
Exceeding – going beyond expectations (taking the scenic route… and thriving)
It’s worth remembering that being in the middle stages - Developing or Consolidating - is a normal and valuable part of the journey. Not everyone needs to sprint to the summit; steady progress is what counts.
Each Year 9 and 10 report will include teacher comments and next steps to help guide the way forward. I encourage you to talk through the report together - celebrating successes, acknowledging effort, and setting a course for what comes next...and then book for our Parent/Teacher meetings on 28 July and 6 August when those open up.
As always, thank you for walking alongside us. Every great journey needs a strong fellowship, and we appreciate the partnership we share with you and your whānau. BTW, if you'd like to see another journey, pop over to our Facebook page for an update on M-Block!
Ngaa Mihi,
PL McAvoy
Acting Principal / Tumuaki
