Wesley College Newsletter June 2024

Principal's Message

It’s been a very settled and busy term to date.

Student behaviour and engagement has been excellent. Our focus is very much on academic endeavour, enjoying winter sports and the activities outside of the classroom that make school life memorable.

Sport
This year we have 6 rugby teams (5 boys, 1 girls), 4 netball teams (2 junior girls, 1 premier girls, 1 mixed team) and basketball teams. It is a real credit to our staff and volunteers that we can continue to field high numbers representing the school. Alongside of this is the school band, spoken word competitions, lunch time activities such as Board Games, lunchtime fun in te whare Angitu and so many other opportunities that enhance the enjoyment of being at school.

School Roll
Despite the many challenges presented over the past year or so the roll has remained very stable. In fact, the Year 9 roll is the biggest it has been for many years at mid-90s.

We have already commenced our 2025 Year 9 intake and I encourage you to make application for any Year 9 siblings starting next year as soon as possible.

Teaching and Learning
External facilitators Cognition Education have been working with the College for over two years. They recently gave feedback on comparative data collected over this period. This was extremely positive for staff and provided recognition for the ongoing work to raise overall academic achievement.

Below are the concluding comments:

‘In this snapshot there is a very solid level of expectation and a good range of learning experiences being offered to learners across the school.

Overall, this is a very positive comparative report. It reflects what I perceived to be an enhanced feeling of academic focus and academic ownership in many [most] of the classes.

There is a very strong base to build an increased level of learner agency, empowerment and accountability on. The learning environment is a positive and increasingly stimulating one. The potential to look at pedagogies and strategies that will further empower learners and staff is there.

There was a strong sense of order, uniform was worn well, polite and respectful students dominated. Students seemed proud of their school. Compliance was obvious, and this is a strong base to build creativity, collaboration, motivation etc. on?’

Attendance v Achievement – Thank You Whanau!!
Firstly, I want to congratulate and thank all of our whanau for making an intentional effort getting your children into school, on time, and every day.

There has been a marked improvement in our overall attendance, and it appears we are all finally moving away from the recent era where other events meant the importance of getting to school had been diminished.

We have a little way to go before every student can be considered at 90% plus attendance, but the signs are very positive – thank you!

School Board

Appointed Proprietors Trustees
Ms Gillian Laird - 021577631
Mrs P Tala'imanu

Dr Shane Edwards - LSM
Mr Brian Evans - Principal

Elected Parent Trustees
Mrs Fifita Viria
Mrs Carla Makiha
Mr Sakeo Buke
Rev Kuli Fisi’iahi
Mr Jean-Paul Eason - Staff Representative

Junior Deans

Ms Saimealafo Tapaleao
Mr Hamish Birkbeck
[email protected]

Senior Deans

Mrs Desiree Pole
Ms Joanne Ah-Sam
[email protected]

Achievement & Transition Dean

Ms Ngatia Vaike
[email protected]

Matariki Long Weekend Exeat

A reminder students may depart for the Matariki long weekend Thursday, 27 June 2024 after 3:15pm. The hostels will be closed for the weekend.
Boarders return Sunday, 30 June 2024 between 3-5pm.
Full school commences Monday, 1 July 2024 at 8:20am.

Hostel - Boarding Costs

A reminder at the end of June, 50% of the 2024 hostel fees should have been paid.
Account 12-3023-0351966-00 using student name and code in the reference fields.

End of Term 2

Term 2 ends Friday, 5 July 2024.
Students may depart for school holidays at 1pm.

Start of Term 3

Boarders return 21 July 2024 between 3-5pm.
School commences Monday, 22 July 2024 at 8:20am

School Reports

Senior school reports will be available on SchoolBridge from 5 July 2024.
Junior school reports will be available in term 3.

Notifying a daily absence from school

Daily absences can be made by:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (09) 2370224
Portal: https://login.bridge.school.nz/?
Special extended leave requests of more than 2 days must be made to the Principal.

Hostel Contact Details:

House parents are on duty to take phone calls from 6.30am - 7.30am and 3.20pm - 9.30pm.
The Hostels are closed during the day.

Alternatively you can email the hostels on:

Te Whare Taina:
Te Whare Maia:
Denton:
Te Whare Pakeke
Te Paea:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]