Two weeks in and Covid and the winter Flu season remain a biological disrupter to Waitākere College.
This is frustrating and we continue to respond with flexibility to minimise disruption to the learning of our students and the normal school routines of the College. Our student attendance has been solidly above 80% + in all year levels for these first 2 weeks so we are maintaining a good platform for term 3. However, we have had many teachers away and at the moment there are not enough relief teachers or staff to maintain the cover of classes. More relief teachers are becoming available by 22/8/22 so I am hopeful things will turn in a more positive direction.

As a result, on Mondays and Fridays we are running periods 1- 4 ONLY for years 9 & 10 students to cope with this shortage of available teachers. So yr 9 & 10 students will have no period 5 on those Mondays and Fridays. In total 4 periods will be lost over this time. Year 11, 12, & 13 students will continue as normal with no disruption at this stage. This allows them to keep their focus on learning and completing their NCEA assessments. So a normal timetable for seniors.

Thank you for your continued support of our health and safety protocols around mask wearing. It is making a huge difference. We hope that this change is short-lived and that the health of our community is on the improve.

Ngā mihi
Mark P Shanahan

Flash Fiction Writing Competition Winner

Ava Porter won top honours at the inaugural Flash Fiction Writing Competition for Year 10 students. Ava was one of 20 students selected to attend a workshop on writing Flash Fiction (very short stories). Students had four weeks to continue crafting their entries. Judge Ronnie Pankova-Karadjova said…