Staff have had the first week back now with students here at school and we have managed to get through a lot in our first few days including course confirmation, timetable alterations, our welcome to new students, sports sign ups, investiture mass and even managed to fit in some lessons!
We started a few days early this year to allow for our Cambridge students to have two days of tutorials so that they knew what to expect from the course before getting started. I thank Mr Herbst and Mr Gower for their organisation in ensuring that our Cambridge students got the year off to a flying start.
This early start also allowed us to have some staff training from the New Zealand School Trustees Association's legal arm around the new Education Act 2020. Staff were ably assisted in their understanding of their rights and responsibilities by lawyer Mr Patrick Ikiua, who was able to unpack what it means to be a school, a partner in Te Triti O Waitangi and a Crown entity. It was good for staff to be able to learn about where the lines of responsibility are drawn around school, home and student and the conversations in law around what these look like. Mr Ikiua talked about the increasing demands being placed on schools as a social influence and the difficulties they can bring.
As we head into the shortened second week for students, I would like to take the opportunity to remind parents and caregivers of year 9 and new students to the school of the 'Meet the Staff' evening on Tuesday 9th in the library.
Have a wonderful long weekend.
May God bless you.
Ngā mihi nui
Paul Olsen
