Teenaa koutou e te whaanau
This is the last school newsletter for 2022. The end of the school year has arrived and the last day for kura is tomorrow, Wednesday 14th December at midday. Please ensure that you have arranged for your child to get home safely at this time. The school office will be completely closed from this Friday 16th December 2022 at 3pm and reopens on Monday 23 January 2023 at 9.00am.
“MANA RANGATAHI – EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE”
This is our kura vision and it has been one that we have had to bring to the forefront of our thinking many times this year as we have aspired to teach and learn in unprecedented Covid times. Our students’ learning experiences and COVID have been intertwined and it is a huge credit to us all that we have been able to continue our onsite schooling in spite of the disruptions. Living our school values of Poutama, Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga and Whanaungatanga has been critical in allowing us to celebrate the good times and to learn, recover and move forward in these challenging times. Covid disruptions in 2022 have had a big impact on learning with significant staff and student absences throughout the year. While Hybrid learning (the ability to learn anywhere at any time) is our new way of teaching and learning – we still have much to learn about this approach and will be moving forward with this in 2023.
STAFF SUPPORT
I want to acknowledge the efforts of our RAS staff in doing their best to be present for our students when they have also had huge new learning experiences in knowing how best to respond to changing times. Our teachers have been teaching and learning alongside our students as we navigate some clarity in all of this new “normal” way of being. Our entire staff have contributed to the education, trials and tribulations, hopes and dreams of our students throughout 2022, many frequently going above and beyond expectations in supporting students’ needs and aspirations. My thanks go out to all of our leaders, teachers and support staff (office, property and learning assistants) for their ongoing efforts. We have endeavoured to push through to provide a rich and varied curriculum face to face wherever possible and to this end, camps, sports and cultural events have continued with staff and whaanau working together. These events have been well supported and provided memorable experiences for our students to take with them.
WHAANAU SUPPORT
They say it takes a village to raise a child and in a small, tight knit community such as ours – this is a reality. I want to thank all whaanau for your continued engagement with us – affirming and questioning – all approaches are welcome. I encourage all whaanau to come in and to see us. Choose a school adult that you do have a connection with to let your views be known – we want to know so that we can continue to improve. Sincere thanks go out to our Board of Trustees parents, the Parent Teacher Association parents, whaanau coaches, managers and volunteers for your ongoing support, sheer hard work and commitment to our school’s operation. You are representative of the wider Raglan Area School community and we simply cannot operate without your assistance and support. Our school values are alive and active in your efforts.
END OF YEAR PRIZEGIVING EVENTS
We have held four end of year formal gatherings (Years 0-6, 7-10, 11-13 and Te Rōpū Aroha ki te Reo) to celebrate the learning of all of our students. We congratulated those who have achieved highly in different subject areas and in the use of our school values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga and Poutama. These were great celebrations of learning in a bicultural environment, and huge congratulations go out to all of the successful student recipients. Their steadfast efforts were rewarded.
END OF YEAR 2022 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT REPORTS
These have all been completed and mailed home. We invite you to email us at 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.
LEAVING STAFF MEMBERS 2022
We say farewell to the following teachers who are leaving us; Hinemoa Rossi (Executive Officer) and Sophie Woolston (Kura Teina Teacher) have one year’s leave each and plan to return to us in 2024. Brendan de Ruysscher, Wendy Sutton, Joseph Rao, Jason Wairepo, Rita Anjali, Dave Williams, Emma Taylor, Viv Regnier (teachers) Kevin Larkin, Rob Salvation, Lisa Mitchell and Teia Drysdale (support staff) have left us for a variety of reasons; some for new employment options, some to home based ventures, some for health care. All have been acknowledged by their colleagues and we extend sincerest best wishes to each of them in their future endeavours.
TEACHING STAFF 2023
Below is a complete list of the confirmed teaching team for 2023.
Senior Leadership Team
- Louisa Barham (Principal)
- Quenten Browne (Deputy Principal)’
- Haylee Webber (Deputy Principal)
Schoolwide
- Naomi Tovio (Learning Support Coordinator)
- HIlary Elliot (Literacy and Hybrid Learning Coach)
Kura Teina Te Rōpū Aroha Ki Te Reo Kaiako
- Serita Drewery (Y0-3)
- Bonita Herbert (Y4-6)
Kura Teina Years 0-6 Teachers
- Steph de Besten (Pastoral Support and Enrolments)
- Nicole Bell (Y0-1)
- Jade Moir (Y0-1)
- Kim Geros (Y2)
- Sheree Gibson (Y2)
- Rebecca Hishon (Reading Recovery)
- Amy Haswell (Y3&4)
- Emily Meleshenko / Victoria Cooper (Y3&4)
- Kieran Hallgate (Y3&4)
- Christine Prouse (Y3&4)
- Alison Hewett (Y5&6)
- Ruby Coulson (Y5&6)
- Annika Fries (Y5&6)
- Nick Wilson (Y5&6)
Kura Tuakana Years 7-13 Teaching Deans
- Michelle Satchell (Y7&8 Dean, Te Reo Māori Lead Teacher)
- Gwyn Brodie (Y9&10 Dean, English, Te Reo Māori)
- Lee Copson (Y11 Dean, Science Lead Teacher, Physics, Chemistry)
- Stevie Gardiner (Y12 Dean, Food Tech, Hospitality)
- Pauline Sweetman (Y13 Dean, Gateway, Careers, Correspondence)
Kura Tuakana Years 7-13 Teachers
- Betty Diprose (Counselling)
- Michelle Campbell (Y7&8 homeroom)
- Jaime Paulin (Y7&8 homeroom)
- Eddie Martinez (Y7&8 homeroom)
- Liam Coulden-Lavers (Outdoor Education)
- Briar Heinrich (Social Sciences, Health & PE)
- Richie Tau’alupe (Social Sciences, Health & PE)
- TJ Pemberton (Health & PE )
- Linda Holmes (Social Sciences, English)
- Dave O’Loughlin (English)
- Sandra Jonas (Maths)
- Mary-Rose Speakman (Maths)
- Angela Prain (Science, Biology, Horticulture)
- Kerry Arlidge (Art)
- Brendon Rickard (Music, Maths)
- Ruth Hare (Drama)
- Glenn Rangitonga (Materials Technology)
- Stevie Gardiner (Food Technology and Hospitality)
- Matt Stockton (Digital Technology)
- Ariana Millward (Raranga/Weaving, Counselling)
- Deane Hishon (Surfing Academy, Graphics)
- Larry Fisher (Surfing Academy, Maths)
CLASSROOM STUDENT LISTS 2023
Please note that the class lists for 2023 will be published in late January and 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 2023 please email us via principal@raglanarea.school.nz.
SCHOOL STARTING DATES 2023
- Monday 23 January: The school office opens for enrolments and general enquiries.
- Friday 3 February: Years 11, 12 and 13 students come to school for subject confirmation meetings. Each student will be sent details closer to this date.
- Monday 6 February: WAITANGI DAY public holiday
- Tuesday 7 February: Welcome Whakatau for ALL Years 0-6 students 9.00am in the school hall
- Tuesday 7 February: Welcome Whakatau for ALL Years 7-13 students 11.30am in the school hall.
FINAL BEST WISHES
To our leaving students your teachers and whaanau encourage you to strive, to set goals, and to persevere by setting your sights high, being resilient, positive and forward thinking. Go well and know that you will always be a part of the Raglan Area School extended whaanau. On behalf of the entire staff in our kura, I wish you all a joyous Christmas, a festive New Year and well-earned holidays among family and friends. Good Luck and God Bless you all.
Ngaa mihi nui. Whaea Louisa Barham
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