Term 1 - Week 1
Tēnā koutou,
It has been an outstanding first week back at kura. The energy from both staff and students has been amazing.
On Wednesday we held our Year 9 powhiri on the school marae, Rangatahi. It was a beautiful morning and was attended by many whānau of our new Year 9 students starting with us in 2024. We were able to welcome our new Year 9's into our kura and spend the day helping them understand who we are. We were also able to welcome some new international students, as well as a few new students starting with us in other year levels.
As I mentioned during the powhiri, this year we are embarking on the Positive Culture for Learning (PC4L) journey. This journey should help us to continue to provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Our eight cornerstone values have been rebranded under three new values which connect to the tupuna (ancestor) our school is named after. His name is Tia. Our three values to move us forward into the future are, whakapono, wero, and manaakitanga. Whakapono is about reflecting honesty and integrity in all that you do. Wero is about showing courage and bravery in all school-related activities, and challenging yourself and others to be your best. Manaakitanga is about respecting and supporting everyone around you, working well with others, and showing a sense of duty for others and the environment.
All our other year levels started school on Thursday, except our Year 13 students, who we took to the Mi camp in Waitetoko. Thursday and Friday were filled with leadership activities which we hope will set up the Year 13's well for their final year at college. We have an outstanding group of Year 13 students and I’m looking forward to seeing how they can apply their learning at camp with our other year levels back at school.
Other important panui are below:
NZQA results and appeals
NZQA released results for 2023 on 17th January 2023. All students and whānau should review their record of achievement through the NZQA to check it accurately reports their achievement. The College has a very limited timeframe to make any corrections. If you feel an external assessment has been incorrectly marked you can apply for a review. You must make your application to NZQA before 21st February. Details here
Bring Your Own Device
We are a bring your own device (laptop) school. We encourage each student to bring their laptop to school with them every day, charged, and with their charger. Last year we were able to provide long-term laptops to students who were unable to obtain a laptop themselves. Shortly, we will begin the process of completing an audit to see who may need long-term loan laptops again in 2024.
Student Attendance/Absence
If your child is going to be absent from school due to sickness or for any other reason, please notify the school office.
The Education Act 1989 requires that all children, six years old and over, must attend school. Once enrolled, it is compulsory for children to attend school regularly. Taupo-nui-a-Tia College encourages students to participate fully in school life. Students are expected to attend school when required, and to be on time for classes. This policy applies for off-site activitives as well, such as EOTC activites.
We monitor the daily attendance of students to:
- Ensure their safety, both in getting to school and in accounting for them in an emergency.
- Identify students with achievement, engagement or other issues.
- Meet our legal responsibilities.
Parents and guardians also have legal obligations to ensure their children attend school. The school expects parents to:
- Notify the school office if their child is going to be absent from school, by phoning 376-1100 or through the parent portal via our website.
- Try to arrange appointments etc outside of school hours or in the holidays.
- Work with the school to manage any attendance issues.
Absences are usually unjustified unless the student is too sick to attend school, or has suffered a bereavement.
Any child absent from class without a known reason will be followed by up text from our office staff. The school roll is taken after the bell is rung at 8:50am, and again at the start of every lesson.
Holidays should only be taken during school holidays. If you plan to take your child on holiday during term time, we ask that you make an application to the Principal in writing, for this leave. The MOE classify any students who are on holiday during term time as an unjustified absence.
If arriving at school after the 8:50am bell, please ensure that your child signs in at the school office first, before heading to class.
Reminder about phones away for the day
A reminder about the communication we sent out last week about phones away for the day.
Our preference is that phones do not come to school with students, however, if your child does require a phone to contact you for after school purposes, they will need to adhere to the requirement above. If a parent or caregiver needs to contact their child urgently during the day, they should call the office.
Since our incoming Year 9 students are used to not having their phones during the school day, they can continue the practice of dropping their phone off to the main office each morning.
There are a couple of exemptions which schools must allow for. See below:
Schools must allow students to use or access a phone when:
a phone is needed for health reasons (for example, to monitor insulin levels)
or
a phone is needed to help a student with a disability or learning support need (for example, to assist with impaired communication).
Please communicate with your child’s Dean if your child needs their phone for one of the categories above. Where appropriate the student will be issued an exemption pass.
Ngā mihi
Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL |
