Principal's Pānui

The end of the term is rapidly approaching, especially with the final week of Term now including a one-off public holiday to commemorate the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II. However, the final week of term is of particular importance for our senior students who will be receiving the results of their recent examinations. As previously mentioned, these provide a key indicator of their progress thus far and highlight areas that require further work. NCEA Examinations commence on 7th November and the preparation time leading into them will be informed by individual performances in the recent exam week.

This week has seen the second round of Literacy and Numeracy Assessments (as part of the Pilot scheme that Massey High School is engaged with). Thanks to Jen Triggs for her work in ensuring that the assessments went ahead with minimal fuss. As a school we have already submitted detailed feedback on these assessments as there is much yet to be done by the Ministry of Education to ensure that the assessment tasks are fit for purpose.

Massey High School Board of Trustees

Our new Board met for the first time on Tuesday night with the representatives on the new Board broadly reflecting our student body. We acknowledged the service of those Board members who chose not to stand for this election – in particular, two members who have served the school for many years – John Garelja (outgoing Board Chair), and Catherine Clark, both of whom have been incredibly supportive of the school through the tenures of Mr Ritchie and Mr Denham. This service was acknowledged this morning at staff briefing, with both Catherine and John being present.

We welcomed returning members Desiree Tukutama, Wade Hansen, Jane McDonough, and staff representative Karl Goddard.

We also welcomed the new members of the Board – Melissa Dines, Gisa Dr Moses Faleolo, Anna Latu, and Ana Pickering.

The Board elected a new Chair – Wade Hansen, and a new Deputy Chair – Jane McDonough.

The final appointment was confirmed just this afternoon, with Henry Fisher (Year 11) being elected as the new student representative.

I look forward to working with the new Board.


Visit of Professor Mark Hickford

Today we were fortunate to have three notable alumni return to the school for the benefit of our students. Professor Mark Hickford, Her Honour Judge June Jelaš, and Simon Papa.

Professor Mark Hickford is the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Government, Law and Business at Victoria University of Wellington, and is responsible for the Faculty of Law and the Wellington School of Business and Government.

Her Honour Judge June Jelaš is a District Court Judge. Simon Papa is a Director of Cygnus Law Ltd.

Accompanying them were a team of staff, graduates, and current students of Victoria University of Wellington.

The day commenced with a mihi whakatau, welcoming our guests and welcoming Professor Hickford, Judge June Jelaš, and Simon Papa home. My thanks to Matua Hone, Matua Mitchell, and the students of Te Whare Āhuru for their guidance and leadership on this.

They spoke to two sessions of students (Senior and Junior) covering not only Law and career paths, but also Professor Hickfords other Faculty areas of Business and Government as well as routes through the Arts and Social Sciences.

The day for our guests concluded with a tour of the school, conducted by our Head Prefects. The common theme being that even though Massey High School was a vastly different environment to what it was when they were students here, it still retained the heart of what makes Massey special.

My thanks to Hayley Garratt for facilitating the day, and to Mark Jones for re-establishing the link with Professor Hickford.

With one (shortened) week remaining for the term I remind all that we must finish the term strong – attendance every day, attendance at every class, and most important – engagement in every class. In the interim though, enjoy the three day weekend.

 

Ngā mihi


Alastair Fairley, Principal

Share this article: