Kia ora tatou; This week our Year 9 students took part in SMART testing in reading, writing and maths. This is a new Ministry assessment tool which will help us build a clearer picture of where students are at and how we can support their learning. The information from these assessments will sit alongside what teachers already know about students from their classroom learning. I want to acknowledge our Year 9s for the positive way they are approaching their assessments positively and giving them their best effort.

Sport is also well underway, which is always one of the great parts of school life. It has been good to see students out representing GBHS, working hard as part of their teams and individual pursuits, and making the most of the opportunities on offer. A big thank you to the staff, coaches, managers and whānau who support our teams each week. These opportunities do not happen without people giving their time and energy.

Next week we will mark Pink Shirt Week. This is a good opportunity to bring kindness, inclusion, and respect to the forefront of our thinking. We want every student at GBHS to feel safe, valued, and able to be themselves, and Pink Shirt Week is one way we can keep building that culture together.

For me, the most important part is the everyday stuff: how we speak to one another, whether we include people, whether we check in on someone who seems left out, and knowing that we all have a role in keeping our school safe and respectful. These small actions make a real difference to the culture of a school. I’m looking forward to seeing our students and staff get behind the week.

Have a great weekend.

Fiona Barker
PRINCIPAL