Positive opportunities.
The government's annual budget was announced this week, and at the time of writing, I am unaware of any direct impact on our College at this stage.
All I can outline is the positive impact previous budgets have had on our College and Community over the last five years.
My role as principal is to remain confident and take advantage of the positive opportunities that can be made available to our children, whanau and community through government resourcing.
Some of the things I am most grateful for and that have made targeted relief to learning barriers for our students are:
- Zero school fees/donations - our students have faced no financial delays with textbooks, resources, field trips etc. This is an approximate $180,000 that is no longer coming out of the pockets of family and whanau at our College.
- Zero fees for NCEA exams and scholarships - while a small amount, this has allowed more students to enter exams and have an equitable pathway to Tertiary and high-end apprenticeships.
- Free Lunches - Teenagers are an interesting group, and this programme provides food for those without and more food for those who have on a regular basis. It is consumed voraciously by the bottomless pits of our hungry teenagers.
- Zero Tertiary 1st year fees - another barrier cleared to ensure our graduates can access tertiary for university degrees, diplomas and apprenticeships.
There have been many other initiatives, such as over 500 computers we were able to provide to our students during Covid that we reuse, again and again, allowing all our students to engage and learn.
These are government initiatives that have transformed access to education for our students and freed up finances for all of us to allow us to get on with learning.
Keep looking for positive opportunities in everything you do.
Ngā Mihi
Mark P Shanahan
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Important Dates Thursday 2nd – Friday 3rd June: Senior Assessment Week 1
Monday 6th June: Public Holiday Queens Birthday – No School
Tuesday 7th June – Friday 10th June: Senior Assessment Week 2
Friday 24th June: Public Holiday Matariki – No School
Thursday 30th June: Junior & Senior Subject Report Evening 1 - Early finish |
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