Kia ora koutou
It’s felt quite a long term and I realise it has may have been unsettling for many of our tauira having to adjust again to learning online. Horowhenua College Board is just so grateful for all the work of our Senior Leadership Team, Student Support Workers, Deans and Teachers in assisting our students through lockdown and in the return to face-to-face learning. We are mindful that many of our staff and whanau/families have been affected by the disruption caused by Covid too, so we really appreciate all their efforts.
At our most recent board meeting Miss Moerkerk presented aggregate data on where our students are at with regard to NCEA credits. Again, a huge amount of mahi is going into tracking student achievement and identifying students who may need additional support. Many of our staff are running additional tutorials and learning sessions for students outside of normal teaching times, demonstrating a genuine desire to go above and beyond anything expected of them in order to help students and facilitate their learning. We are very grateful for the manaakitanga demonstrated. Ensuring the wellbeing of students and staff has also been a focus this term and the board will continue to monitor this through Term 4.
This term we have continued to work with our Education Review Office (ERO) evaluation partner Cath Ledger to determine the focus of the evaluation for ERO over the next few years. The board have been working on a compliance document which examines whether we have appropriate procedures and policies in place, and this will also be reviewed as part of the normal ERO process. Our focus for Health and Safety this term has been on wellbeing and ensuring we have processes and practices which allow us to move and manage schooling safely through Covid Levels. Special Thanks too to Mr Johnson our Campus Manager for his work in implementing practices which support the safety of students, staff, visitors and contractors during this time.
Despite a disrupted term and the inability of many of our usual events to continue under Covid, the pages of NUA news again reflect the many and varied activities our students and staff engage in. They also demonstrate the resilience we have as a school whānau and the fun that can be had despite unsettling times. I hope you enjoy reading it!!
Ngā mihi nui
Juliana Mansvelt
Horowhenua College Presiding Member