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Principal's Blog: Term 3 Week 8
Friday, 8 September 2023
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Kia ora whānau It was wonderful to have Te Manawa o Te Kura alive with engaging learning conversations this week, and we look forward to a second opportunity next week to connect with caregivers and students around their progress, next steps and aspirations. Learning and achievement is most definitely at the forefront at our place, with the emphasis for our Upper School students being preparation for our school-based practice examinations. It is not lost on our students that their performance in these mock exams carries importance, with grades potentially required should a derived grade circumstance arise. Additionally, it is an excellent opportunity to realise areas that require strengthening in the lead-up to external examinations. As ever, I am impressed with our students’ diligence, and the support and attention afforded them by our incredible teaching team who consistently go the extra mile. Our current Year 12 students have been learning about the student leadership opportunities available to them as school leaders in 2024, including hearing from our current student leaders around their roles. The Head Student Committee members shared the skills and attributes required for positions they hold, along with examples of the practical day-to-day experiences to assist potential applicants with deciding which position might be a good fit for them. The 2024 student leadership discernment process will begin in Term 4. One slight change to the appointment of the Head Girl position is the introduction of an interview process for those shortlisted, following the completion of student and staff voting. We are also proud to announce the inclusion of a Mori/Pasifika student leadership role from 2024, with the inaugural leader being determined by the student wānanga group with the support of Mori/Pasifika mentor, Ms Molisa. Congratulations to current Year 13 student, Raiha Kawiti, who has advocated for its inception, and for being involved in the co-design of its practical implementation. Next week we celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and we have a programme of activities planned throughout the week, including joining the official Māori Language Moment on Thursday. We look forward to incorporating more Te Reo Māori into our daily routines, and to be perfecting our pronunciation and further strengthening understanding of our native language. Congratulations to all who have been participating in Winter Tournament Week and AIMS events, with some outstanding team and individual performances. Huge congratulations to our 1st XI Football team for winning the regional Grant Jarvis tournament, and to Alyssa Bai who has claimed two Butterfly Gold Medals at AIMS, which is outstanding. Podium finishes are wonderful to celebrate, however, so are all of the other victories, large and small, that come about as a result of bringing one’s best efforts and digging deep in support of one another in achieving collective goals. As a relatively small school, especially compared to some of the super schools we come up against in national competitions, Marsden more than holds its own. Ka rawe! |