Ahiahi Marie Parents, Caregivers and Children, 

As mentioned last newsletter, over the past few weeks the team and I have been crafting our Strategic Goals and Annual Actions for the coming year. On Monday we presented this to our Board of Trustees who approved the document for 2021. This process is always an exciting milestone for us as it creates clarity for all our team.

Some of the goals that are included in this document are:

• Students will demonstrate pride, ownership and cognitive engagement in their learning when they showcase what they are learning and why. 
• There is clear evidence of the range of Co Teaching Models being used across our school in a planned and deliberate way.
• Learning through play is an integral element to the Year 1 and 2 programme design. With an obvious progression from Year 1 to Year 2.
• 86% Year 2’s achieving Level 1 in Reading (Reading Level 15 or above) by the end of the year.
• 85% Year 3’s achieving at Level 1- Early Level 2 or above in Writing.
• 90% Year 6's achieving at Early Level 3 or above in Mathematics.

While the above is not the comprehensive list of goals/targets hopefully it gives you an idea around our focuses for 2021. Of course we invite your feedback and questions on these also. Please feel free to be in touch with me if you would like to provide any feedback. 

One key aspect about working towards goals is the path we choose to achieve them and that it is not always easy. Mistakes are made, challenges are faced, new opportunities presented, which when combined, we are able to experience the richness of learning. 

The below quote, I believe sums up nicely the reason why we should take the gravel path rather than the smooth, silky one.

The easy way down

Ski slopes are marked by difficulty. The green circle indicates the easiest slope, the one that will get you to the base of the hill the fastest, with the least amount of risk or drama.

Why would anyone choose to ski down on the difficult black diamond run instead?

Most passionate skiers would ask the question differently: why wouldn’t you?

The point of skiing isn’t to get to the bottom. The point is how it feels on your way there.

I’m wondering why this insight is so hard for us to embrace when it comes to learning or personal engagement or art or the work we do each day?

There are speed bumps along the way, opportunities unevenly distributed, and unforeseen problems. But none of them get better when we decide to always seek the easy way to the end (Seth Godin). 

Finally, at the end of last year we asked you to fill out a survey around a new element to the NZ Curriculum (Relationships and Sexuality Education). Thank you to 62 families who completed the survey. Currently, the SLT and I are analysing your feedback and will present back to you the results of this survey in our Week 5 newsletter. 

Warm Regards

Geoff