Our Mission, Vision and Values
Mana Rangatahi / Empowering Young People
Whakanuia te mātauranga i te taiao kākano rua / Celebrating Education in a Bicultural Environment
- Manaakitanga – We are respectful, kind and empathetic
- Kaitiakitanga – We are caretakers of Te Ao Māori and Our World
- Whānaungatanga – We are inclusive and connect genuinely with others
- Poutama – We are resilient and aspire to excellence
Tēnā koutou e te whānau o te Kura A Rohe o Whaingaroa
2020 has been a hugely challenging year. We have embraced learning at many different levels; in the classroom, in the playground, at home, in the community, and via online forums. This year, the world has, and is, experiencing the unprecedented impact of COVID-19. This phenomenon has affected everyone worldwide and yet the real sense of community that we are fortunate to have here in Whaingaroa has sustained us all throughout this year. I am grateful that I live in Whaingaroa, Aotearoa and appreciate that we have the freedom and safety to meet, interact, and continue with our day to day lives.
Curriculum Delivery 2021
The curriculum will be delivered in three learning contexts in 2021;
- Māori-Medium Years 0-8,
- English-Medium Years 0-6
- English-Medium Years 7-13. Detailed information is available in the Raglan Area School Prospectus.
- Kura Teina (Junior School) Māori-Medium Years 0-8 and English-Medium Years 0-6 students will be taught in home rooms as they have been during 2020.
- Kura Tuakana (Senior School) Years 7-10 students will join Years 11-13 students in being taught by specialist subject teachers but they will start everyday with the same whānau teacher. The whānau teacher will be a key person who oversees each student’s individual learning plan for the year.
- Our school mission statement ‘Celebrating Education in a Bicultural Environment’ reminds us that in partnership with our families, we share the responsibility to give all of our students the chance to experience success.
- We are excited to be introducing Outdoor Education as a specialist subject from Years 7-13, Aotearoa NZ Histories from Years 0-10 and Te Reo Māori will be explicitly taught to Years 7-10 students.
Gratitude to our School Staff Team
I want to acknowledge our leaders, teaching staff, and support staff colleagues for their commitment to the goals that we are striving to achieve in our kura. We have had and will continue to have reviews of our practices to make improvements that will make positive differences in 2021 and beyond. I acknowledge and celebrate the individual and collective achievements and successes of which there have been many.
Leaving Staff Members 2020
We say farewell to Liz McCauley (Years 0-3), Tukana Dalton (Years 4-6), Wendy Sutton (Years 7-8), Jonathan Rickard (Years 7-8), Cindy Tedeschi (11-13) Kiri Crombie (Social Worker in Schools), Michelle Kanellis (Guidance Counsellor), Lance Inia (Learning Assistant), Arlene Maidment (Learning Assistant) and Maree Harris (Canteen). All staff members will be acknowledged at our end of year gatherings. Each person has contributed in their own unique and individual ways to enhance learning opportunities for our students. We express our gratitude for their efforts and extend sincerest best wishes to each of them in their future endeavours. Kahurangi Takiari (Te Rōpū Aroha ki Te Reo) and Ariana Millward (Years 9-10) have been granted one year’s study leave. We look forward to having them return to us in 2022.
Incoming Staff Members 2021
We welcome Lisa Mitchell into the Years 0-6 team, Aroha McQueen and Bonita Herbert into Te Rōpū Aroha ki Te Reo, and Linda Holmes (Years 7-13) returns to us having spent several years teaching at Te Mata Primary School.
Gratitude to our Whānau
To the Board of Trustees, governance of a diverse school like ours with a multitude of complex needs is challenging and this has been a huge year of planning to meet School Charter goals. We expect, welcome, and receive a lot of feedback from our families that is considered with integrity as we navigate the pathways ahead. We have robust internal discussions and make our decisions with the best interests of all students at the forefront. Sincere thanks to Board members for their contributions in an educational context that is continually changing.
Workstreams for the 2021 school year include bringing in four new classrooms, upgrading C-Block at the front of the school, the painting of existing buildings, a cover being made for the courts area adjacent to the bottom field, the introduction of an enrolment scheme and schoolwide uniform, and the implementation of a revitalised localised school curriculum.
I applaud our PTA and the many parent/caregiver and community volunteers who have supported sports, arts, and cultural endeavours this year. Sincere thanks to them for their support, sheer hard work, and commitment to our kura. Our school values are alive and active in their efforts.
End of Year 2020 Student Individual Achievement Reports
These are completed and will be sent home. We invite you to email us principal@raglanarea.school.nz or to contact us in the new year if you wish to discuss any of the outcomes that have been shared with you about your child’s learning in this second half of the year.
School Starting Dates 2021
The school office will be open on Monday 25 January with teaching staff back in the following week after the Anniversary weekend on Tuesday 2nd February 2021, and senior staff will be available if you wish to make contact with them during this week. In the following week, ALL STUDENTS are expected to be at school for the first day of the school year which is Tuesday 9 February 2020. We will begin at 9am in the school hall with a whakatau for all of our new staff and students.
Student Stationery 2021
This will again be purchased by teachers at the beginning of the year and costs included in invoices that will be sent home for you to pay in February.
Classroom Lists for 2021
Please note that the class lists for 2021 will not be published until late January – but definitely before the start of the school year. However, if you have particular concerns that you would like to discuss with regards to the placement of your child in 2021, please email us via principal@raglanarea.school.nz.
New School Uniforms 2021
We’re getting a lot of questions on the new school uniforms so we’ve put together this list of FAQs for you Our new Raglan Area School uniforms; your initial questions answered.
Teaching Staff 2021
Specific teaching responsibilities will be published alongside the class lists in late January.
Our teaching staff for 2021 are:
Senior Leadership Team
- Louisa Barham
Quenten Browne
Aroha Hohepa
Learning Support Coordinator
- Naomi Tovio
Te Rōpū Aroha Ki Te Reo Kaiako
- Jeanette McDonnell-Rata
Juanita Asi
Bonita Herbert
Aroha McQueen
Years 0-6 Teaching Staff
- Hilary Elliot
Amy Haswell
Stephanie de Besten
Kim Geros
Alison Hewett
Annika Fries
Emily Melenshenko
Sheree Gibson
Jason Engledoe
Nick Wilson
Lisa Mitchell
Rebecca Hishon
Years 7-13 Teaching Staff
- Pauline Sweetman
Gwyn Brodie
Sandra Jonas
Rita Anjali
Dave O’Loughlin
Lee Copson
Angela Prain
Hans Guersen
Deane Hishon
Larry Fisher
Glenn Rangitonga
Stevie Gardiner
Kerry Arlidge
Joseph Rao
Te Whaiwhaia Ritchie
Linda Holmes
TJ Pemberton
Liam Coulden-Lavers
Jason Wairepo
Sophie Woolston
Michelle Satchell
Chanel Ruawai
End of Year Prize Givings
The 11-13 prizegiving was held two weeks ago, and we thank all those who attended.
We invite our whānau to attend the following end of year prize givings in the school hall:
- Wednesday 9 December 11.00am: Te Rōpū Aroha ki Te Reo
- Thursday 10 December 11.00am: Years 7-10
- Friday 11 December 10.30am: Years 0-6
School Closure
The last day of the 2020 school year is Tuesday 15 December at midday, 12pm. Please ensure that you have organised for your children to be picked up at this time.
On behalf of the entire staff in our kura, I extend to everyone best wishes for a joyous Christmas, a festive New Year and well-earned holidays among whānau and friends. God Bless you all.
Ngā mihi nui
Louisa Barham
Principal / Tumuaki
Recent Comments