The last two weeks of the first term have been very busy for staff and students alike. For our students undertaking NCEA there were a number of assessments due across a variety of subjects, the workload for them correlates to the workload of our teachers administering those assessments – too often the amount of time that preparation, marking, reassessment, and moderation consumes can be overlooked. For our students, the importance of submitting assessments is paramount. For students in junior courses, it is the development of habits and practice that will prepare them well for NCEA. For our students currently undertaking NCEA, it is refining those practices to ensure the best possible qualification (with endorsements). Finally, for those moving on to tertiary education there is not the same flexibility or support offered at University, so ensuring that they are well-versed in handing in assessments on-time will set them up for success.   

In summary, I can’t stress enough the importance of on-time submission of all assessments.

Parent/Teacher Meetings

It was heartening to see so many of our parents and caregivers meeting with subject teachers on March 30th. This year we changed our first PTM in-line with feedback from our community. We also offered both online and face-to-face options to cater for as many of our whānau as possible. We utilised the evening as a further opportunity to gather information from our community about what we can improve in our practice.

Student events

Polyfest came to a close with the Kapa Haka competition (which this year was delayed because of Te Matatini). It was a privilege to be able to see Massey High School perform on Tuesday afternoon at Manukau. Their performance was outstanding, as shown by the five haka tautoko at the end – particularly poignant was the haka tautoko from Waitakere College. My thanks to Whaea Danielle, who this year stepped up to tutor Kapa Haka and did so superbly. Also, thanks to Matua Josh and Matua Scott for their assistance. It was wonderful to see so many of our Massey High School whānau at the Due Drops Centre as well as current and past students. I also had the pleasure of catching up with Karel Witten-Hannah QSM, from whom I learned a huge amount from at Year 13 camps over the course of many years.

The last day of the Term was devoted to our first full school House competition, Tabloids Day. Our students took part in a variety of events dressed in their House colours. The day was organised and run by our student leaders – in particular, our Sports Leaders Emily Blowers and Jackson Death who led the planning and organisation, right down to briefing our staff in the morning. The day ran without a hitch and even the onset of rain in the last half hour of the day failed to dampen spirits as the relay races brought the day to a close. Events such as this provide valuable opportunities for our students to exercise their leadership and we look forward to our student leaders across different portfolios doing the same with their coming events. Thank you Emily, Jackson, and their team, for a superb day.

On the academic front, our budding scientists attended sessions provided by The Liggins Institute. The Liggins Institute is a research institute at The University of Auckland dedicated to internationally recognised research in developmental biology and its application to improving human health. We are extremely fortunate to have developed the relationship with The Liggins Institute. Indeed, Massey High School is one of only a handful of schools afforded the opportunity to work with them. My thanks to Jo Skevington who facilitated the day which saw our top science students from across the school partake in a number of informative sessions.

It is the return of events such as these that are so important to the fabric of our school. They present opportunities for students to broaden their experience, strengthen social bonds, and pursue areas of interest and passion.

Next term sees the first of our academic reports going out to parents and caregivers. This report provides insight into students academic progress through term one (this differs from the focus of our fortnightly Massey Way reports).

Our in-school lunch programme commences on the first day back for students (a reminder that this is Wednesday 26th April). Our student leaders have prepared a video which runs through the process of collection of lunches (and disposal of waste), a link to this video will be made available to all in the next week. We will also have a special tutor time at the start of Wednesday to run through those processes and to issue cards to students with special dietary requirements.  

We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Ngā mihi

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