Tēnā koutou katoua ngā whānau,
Having returned to my office at midday today from a walk across the sports fields, grounds and through our learning spaces and classrooms, I am now sitting down in my well ventilated office, wearing my mask and ready to celebrate our wonderful learners, teachers and staff. To see learners studying on the decking surrounding the classrooms, under the shade sails of the canteen, engaged in PE on the fields and Te reo class on the grass areas is impressive. The engagement of our learners in learning is impressive as we all comply with the Covid hygiene requirements including mask wearing. We are privileged to have enjoyed a week of sunshine and the opportunity to enjoy learning in well ventilated rooms and the open air. I am immensely grateful to our teachers and support staff for their responsive and adaptive approach to ensure learning is tailored to the needs of all learners and the conditions that constrain us during this pandemic.
It was very disappointing to have to make the call last Friday to postpone the Year 9 and 10 Journey and cancel the Year 11 Journey. In managing the health and safety of all learners and staff, the changes to the Journey program were made due to the increase in the number of positive Covid cases in the Nelson/Tasman Region. We look forward to planning and preparing for the Year 9 and Year 10 Journey to resume in term 4, all going to plan. I thank all parents, caregivers for your support and we appreciate the disappointment the students experience with such change.
As we enter Covid – 19 Phase 3 of the Omicron response as of midnight Thursday, I encourage you to read our Whānau Update posted on our website for detailed information about what this change means for us. Also I encourage you to view our Whānau update regarding our Online and Hybrid learning programme to support our learners if required to isolate at home in the weeks to come. We look forward to maintaining our focus on learning at school and enabling those at home to engage in ongoing learning for success.
Each week our student leaders are engaging with all learners in whānau class with their online hui presentation; reaching out to the college in this way is providing an essential connectedness within the college at this time while we are not holding our school assemblies. Again, I am absolutely impressed with the preparation and content our leaders are providing in this space and I look forward to their presentations throughout the weeks to come.
Our Ash Wednesday Liturgy takes place next week, Wednesday 2 March during period 6 at 2:20 – 3:00pm with each of the house groups gathering to pray in various locations across the college to celebrate in the spirit and faith as we begin our Lenten Journey to Easter.
I wish you a peaceful and restful weekend.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki – May God be with you
Ngā manaakitanga,
John Maguire
Take a moment – Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini
The combined efforts of many are needed to complete a project