End of Year Principal’s Newsletter 5 December 2023

Tēnā koutou e te whānau 

This is the last Principal newsletter for 2023. The end of the school year has arrived and the last day for kura is Wednesday 13th 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 Friday 15th December 2023 at 3pm and reopens on Monday 22 January 2023 at 9.00am.

 

Our Staff

“Mana Rangatahi – Empowering Young People” is our kura vision and we have this at the forefront of our thinking in everything that we do – for our senior students. I want to acknowledge the efforts of our staff in this regard.

Our staff contribute to the education, trials and tribulations, hopes and dreams of our students – many frequently going above and beyond expectations in supporting students’ needs and aspirations. I would like to specifically acknowledge the role that Quenten Browne, Deputy Principal, Kura Tuakana and Haylee Webber, Deputy Principal – Kura Teina hold in our school. Together we collaborate easily to combine our strengths to support our students to learn and our teachers to share their knowledge, wisdom and passions with our students.

Throughout 2023, the entire Kura Tuakana teaching team has provided a rich and varied curriculum; delivered onsite, online and inclusive of camps, sports and cultural events. Our NCEA academic programmes are responding to pending changes, some of which begin in 2024 and our teachers are working hard to upskill. Our local curriculum is strongly evident in our Surf Academy, Outdoor Education, Sports, Science, Health, Physical Education and Te Reo Maori programmes with many of our other core subjects enriched with the real worklife contributions and experiences of local businesses and community members. We are very lucky to have such expertise within our local community.

I want to congratulate our diverse, talented and real teaching team. They have once again responded without hesitation, developing creative and responsive approaches, to ensure students remain at the centre of all efforts. They are a very committed, professional, and hardworking team and I am very grateful to them all. They are the ones working directly with our students, helping them to not only learn content and to be prepared for assessments, but who literally walk alongside them, helping them to navigate their day to day lives in and out of school. 

A teacher’s focus is on the learning and teaching programmes and  it is highly likely that many of our students won’t remember what was specifically taught to them during any given period  on any given day of the week, but they will remember that teacher who laughed with them,  the teacher who drove the school van, the teacher who kept on them to get that assignment finished, the teacher who followed the school expectations around vaping and cell phones – but did so with respect and care, and that teacher who encouraged them in private when the day just wasn’t going so well.

 

Whānau 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.  Only when you have the privilege of seeing what they do at first hand, as I do, do you fully appreciate the commitment and diligence required of a school Board of Trustees. We are lucky to have this and I am grateful to each of them; their role is time-consuming, often thankless and usually unseen, but essential. My thanks go out to them all for their wisdom and support, and in particular to the current presiding member (chairperson), David Duffin.

To the Parent Teacher Association, coaches, managers, transport providers and volunteers – my thanks to you all for your ongoing support, sheer hard work and commitment to our school’s operation. You are representative of the wider Whaingaroa community and we simply cannot operate without your assistance and support. 

Our school values of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga are alive and active in your efforts. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to come in and to see us – with your affirmations and/or concerns – all are welcome – bring these into our hearing – speak to a school adult whom you have a connection with and let your views be known – we are always looking to improve in our practices.

I want to pay tribute to Margaret Dillon and the Feed The Kids team of volunteers for making Wednesdays a joyful day for many – providing kai, kindness and laughter to staff and students alike – in the Whaingaroa way. Every year, we are also fortunate to receive some financial sponsorship and donations – we are very grateful to everyone who has made any contribution – please accept our sincere thanks. 

I do want to specifically acknowledge the kindness of a community member who wants to remain anonymous. This person donated a gift of just under $70,000 that paid fully for our brand new school van. This gift is truly gold to us as our ability to provide a variety and equality of learning opportunities for our students requires travel out of Raglan on nearly every school day of the year. We are truly grateful for this generous gift. 

 

End of Year 2023 Prize Giving Events

We hold five end of year formal gatherings (Sports, Years 0-6, 7-10, 11-13 and Te Rōpū Aroha ki te Reo) to celebrate the learning of all of our students. We congratulate those who have achieved highly in different subject areas and in the use of our school values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga and Poutama. These are great celebrations of learning in a bicultural environment, and huge congratulations go out to all of the successful student recipients. Their steadfast efforts are acknowledged and valued. All of these events are held onsite and streamed live online.

 

End of Year 2023 Student Achievement Reports

These have all been completed and will be sent home at the end of this week. 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. 

 

Student Attendance 2024

• The Ministry of Education (MOE) Target for schoolwide regular attendance is 90%. This means a student who attends school 9 out of 10 weeks is regularly attending.  
• The MOE wants schools to reach 70% regular attendance by the end of 2024. Right across the school our current attendance rates are not yet meeting this aspiration but we continue to review our processes.
• Attendance and Non-attendance is monitored by our teachers and office staff.   We have appreciated whaanau letting us know when our students are absent through illness, alternative schooling arrangements, family gatherings and any other explained absences.  This information helps us to monitor and track attendance patterns. 
• This year, in partnership with our neighbouring primary schools  (Waitetuna, Te Mata and Te Uku), we employed two Attendance Officers who have been connecting with whaanau who are not attending regularly. 
• Kura Teina (Years 0-6) student reports that  are sent home in July and December now include an Attendance figure to help whaanau to monitor more closely their children’s attendance.
• Together we can make a difference.

 

Kura Teina (Years 0-6) Student Achievement Data EOY 2023 snapshot

We have had an outstanding year in Kura Teina with many successes throughout the team. These were shared throughout the year with highlights being noted at our End of Year Prize giving ceremony. One area that continues to require our attention is Writing. This is something that is common across many schools in New Zealand.

 

We had an Annual Plan target to increase the number of Year 0-6 students achieving at or above the expected standard for Writing. 

• End Of Year data shows that 56% of our students are achieving at or above the expected Writing standard.   
• Term 4 data comparative to Term 2 data shows an improvement in writing of 16%.
• There are less students identified as being below in writing from Term 2 to Term 4  (28% to 16%)
• There are less students identified as being well below in writing from Term 2 to Term 4 (32% to 28%)
• Out of 130 girls, 88 (70%) are achieving at or above the expected standard for writing.
• Out of 134 boys, 56 (42%) are achieving at or above the expected standard for writing.

 

Kura Tuakana Years 11-13 Student Achievement Data EOY 2023 snapshot

The year has been busy with a large number of Year 13 students remaining in school for the entire year. During the Covid Years (2020-2022) a drop off was evident.

 

In Years 12-13 the Target is for 90% + to gain NCEA Level 2 and to Improve the numbers of students achieving University Entrance outcomes for Year 13.

NB:  Current data results are interim while we await the exam results to be confirmed by NZQA in March 2024. These results are very encouraging.

Year 12 Data (30 students)

• 86% are on track to attain Level 2 NCEA
• 100% have gained their Literacy credits
• 100% have gained their Numeracy credits
• 20% have gained University Entrance Literacy standards 

Year 13 Data (27 Students)

• 48% of students have gained Level 3 NCEA 
• 100% have gained their Literacy credits
• 100% have gained their Numeracy credits
• 59% have gained University Entrance Literacy. 

 

Staff Members on Leave in  2023

Naomi Tovio (Study), Hilary Elliot (Study), Emily Meleshenko (Maternity) and David O’Loughlin (refreshment) have one year’s leave each and plan to return to us in 2025. I will be on Sabbatical leave for part of the school year. Quenten Browne will be Acting Principal at this time.

 

Staff Members moving on in 2023

We say farewell to the following teachers who are leaving us; Tracy Cathro (will continue relief teaching for us), Mary-Rose Speakman (pursuing non-teaching endeavours), Ruby Agnew (Early Childhood Education), Annike Fries (teaching in Dunedin), Richie Tau’alupe (teaching in Nelson), Bonita Herbert (teaching in Hamilton) Kerry Arlidge-Rangitonga (refreshment) and Glenn Rangitonga (retirement) are all moving on.

We acknowledge and thank our leaving Learning Assistants; Deilyn Tukiri, Anjali Patel and Ange Massey and Specialist Support staff; Tama Dean (Alternative Education) and Samantha Lange (Sports & Outdoor Ed Assistant).

We extend sincerest thanks to each of these staff members for their unique and individual contributions and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

We extend an extra special acknowledgement to Glenn Rangitonga for his dedicated service to our kura over the last 15 years as he brings his significant teaching career to a close. Glenn’s efforts with the students who have been in his Materials Technology classes is significant and will be greatly missed. He is also a highly respected colleague who has carried out his teaching role with humility and dedication. His personal passion for golf and martial arts is legendary in our kura and he has influenced students and colleagues to get involved. Go well Glenn – enjoy time with your whaanau and new adventures in your life’s journey. Kia Kaha, Kia pai te ora!

 

New Staff Members 2024

We welcome the following new staff members into our kura; Lisa Brunel (Years 0-1), Grace Winter (Years 1-2), Jason Borich (Years 9-10 Maths), Karen Woodcock (Years 7-13 English), Levonne Dodunski (Visual Arts), Adrian Reeves (Materials Technology) and Steven Woodcock (Caretaker).

 

Teaching Staff 2024

Below is a complete list of the confirmed teaching team for 2024.

 

Senior Leadership Team

• Louisa Barham (Principal)

• Quenten Browne (Deputy Principal)

• Haylee Webber (Deputy Principal)

 

Kura Teina – Te Rōpū Aroha Ki Te Reo Kaiako

• Ariana Millward (Team Leader TRAKTR, Y0-3 kaiako) 

• Anthony Te Wheoro (Y4-6 kaiako) 

 

Kura Teina – Mainstream Years 0-6 Teachers

• Steph de Besten (Learning Support and Enrolments Years 0-6)

• Nicole Bell (Team Leader Y0-2, Y0-1 teacher) 

• Lisa Brunel (Y0-1 teacher)

• Jade Moir (Y2 teacher)

• Grace Winter (Y2 teacher)

• Rebecca Hishon (Reading Recovery teacher)

• Amy Haswell (Team Leader Y3&4, Y3&4 teacher) 

• Kim Geros(Y3&4 teacher)

• Sheree Gibson (Y3&4 teacher)

• Christine Prouse (Y3&4 teacher)

• Alison Hewett (Team Leader Y5&6, Y5&6 teacher) 

• Kieran Hallgate (Y5&6 teacher)

• Nick Wilson / Victoria Cooper (Y5&6 teachers)

 

Kura Tuakana – MainstreamYears 7-13 Lead Teachers

• Gwyn Brodie (Learning Support and Enrolments Years 7-13)

• Serita Drewery (Y7&8 Dean and Y7&8 homeroom teacher) 

• Joseph Rao (Y9&10 Dean, Social Sciences & English teacher)

• Linda Holmes (Y11 Dean, Lead Teacher Social Sciences, SS & English teacher)

• Stevie Gardiner (Y12 Dean, Food Tech, Hospitality teacher)

• Pauline Sweetman (Y13 Dean, Gateway, Careers, Correspondence teacher)

 

Kura Tuakana – MainstreamYears 7-13 Teachers

• Betty Diprose (Counselling)

• Emma Taylor (Y7&8 homeroom teacher)

• Eddie Martinez (Y7&8 homeroom teacher) 

• Michelle Satchell (Lead teacher Te Ao Māori, Lead Teacher Māori Performing Arts, Te Reo teacher))

• Liam Coulden-Lavers (Lead Teacher Outdoor Education )

• Briar Heinrich (Social Sciences, Health & PE teacher)

• TJ Pemberton (Lead Teacher HPE & Sports)

• Lee Copson (Lead Teacher Science, Physics & Chemistry teacher)

• Karen Woodcock (Lead Teacher English)

• Sandra Jonas (Lead Teacher Maths)

• Jason Borich (Y9-11 Maths teacher)

• Angela Prain (Lead Teacher Enviroschools: Science, Biology, Horticulture teacher)

• Levonne Dodunski (Visual Arts teacher)

• Brendon Rickard (Lead Teacher The Arts, Music Teacher)

• Ruth Hare (Dance & Drama teacher)

• Adrian Reeves (Lead Teacher Technology, Materials Technology teacher)

• Matt Stockton (Digital Technology Teacher)

• Deane Hishon (Surfing Academy, Graphics teacher)

• Larry Fisher (Surfing Academy, HPE teacher)

 

Classroom Lists for 2024

Please note that the class lists for 2024 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 2024 please email us via principal@raglanarea.school.nz. 

 

Head Students 2024

Congratulations to Pipiri Kelly who is the Head Boy and Keira Hishon who is the Head Girl for 2024.

Rory Sargent, Leo O’Loughlin, Mia- Paisnel and Shannon Marquand will be the other four members of the Student Leadership Team. I also take this opportunity to congratulate Jazaya-Lee Nield-Cooksley who has been voted on as the Student Trustee for the Board of Trustees.

 

School Starting Dates 2024

• Monday 22 January

The school office opens for enrolments and general enquiries. 

• Monday 5 February

Years 11, 12 and 13 students come to school for subject confirmation meetings. Each student will be sent details closer to this date.

• Tuesday 6 February

WAITANGI DAY public holiday

• Wednesday 7 February

Welcome Whakatau for ALL Years 0-6 students 9.00am in the school hall.

Welcome Whakatau for ALL Years 9-13 students 11.30am in the school hall.

 

Final Best Wishes

To our leaving students, our 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. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2024.

 

Ngā mihi nui 

Whaea Louisa

(Tumuaki / Principal)