As we begin Week 10 of this term starting on Monday the 4th of April, I think it is important to reflect on the manawanui that our College community has shown over this time. I am grateful that we have such a community that, in general, trusts us to set the expectations that reflect what we hope will be the best outcome for our students, our staff and our families and whanau.
Our theme has been around 'flexibility and pivot,' which has allowed us to reflect on the activity and feedback in our community to inform our decisions.
Our manawanui and perseverance around our plans that were put in place to keep the school physically open for student learning over these last weeks have been justified. Our attendance went from highs of 88% + attendance in the first 2 weeks of school to a low of 50% at the height of this outbreak which has now rebounded quickly to the mid 80% + from this week onwards.
This has allowed certainty for teaching and learning with students and teachers to carry out assessments for NCEA achievement for those students this term. I am grateful to all students, staff, family and whanau for this great response and flexibility.
We have had online assemblies, year group meetings via tutor google classrooms with parents, hui and fono. None of these is as good as the real thing but it has allowed connections to occur in preparation for good learning relationships and then opportunities in term 2.
Our focus, as a College, is to create and control our own certainty and confidence within the challenges of these times.
The purpose is to encourage our students and our community that by relying on some of the habits of mind, such as manawanui, flexibility, and taking responsible risks, we can be better than before.

Nga mihi
Mark P Shanahan