Kia ora e te whānau, Well done to all of our students who sat the Literacy and Numeracy CAAs this week. These assessments are an important part of the NCEA qualification, and I was really pleased with how seriously our students took them. Thank you also to the staff who supported students with extra workshops and classes and helped everything run smoothly.

For our senior students, the focus now shifts to Derived Grade Exams over the next two weeks. These exams are an important opportunity for students to show what they know and can do, and they are also good preparation for the end-of-year externals. For students who have been working steadily, keep going; that preparation will make a difference. For those who have not quite started yet, there is still plenty of time to get organised and put in some focused work. The important thing is to attend every single exam and workshop in order to give yourself the best shot.

Next week is also Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. It is a great opportunity to celebrate and use more te reo Māori, but its importance goes well beyond one week. It is also a reminder to think about the things we do to ensure that te reo Māori, tikanga and Māori identity are genuinely valued at our school. Sometimes the routines and ways we do things can feel so familiar that we do not always stop to think about how they are experienced by others. Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is a good reminder to keep listening, reflecting and looking for ways to make our school a place where everyone feels they belong.

We are now getting close to the end of the term, but there is still a lot happening and still a lot that can be achieved. For all students, continuing to attend regularly, stay engaged in learning and make the most of the opportunities in front of them will make a difference.

Good luck to our senior students with their exams over the next fortnight, and well done again to everyone who sat the CAAs this week.

Have a great weekend.

Fiona Barker
PRINCIPAL