Wairoa College
18 February 2022 - Message from the Principal
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā Koutou Katoa
It is nice to see all our students back at school. We have quite a few new families that have joined us this year. I would like to especially welcome them to Wairoa College.
This year we have some new staff:
Imogen Mickleson - English and Humanities
Hamish Hay - Mathematics, Economics and Humanities
Sydney Lane - Mathematics and Art teacher
Morgana Nathan - Physical Education and Health
Ngapera Tiopira - Year 7 Bilingual
Roxine Habib - Year 8 teacher
We are very lucky to have such enthusiastic staff. I am looking forward to seeing what our students can accomplish this year.
I would like to thank our students, staff and families who have adapted so quickly to the Covid Protection Framework Red Health and Safety requirements. Students are doing very well wearing their masks in the classroom. We know this is not easy for them. However, it is important that we do all we can to reduce risks in our school environment. Hand sanitizer is in every room and staff are ventilating their classrooms. I would like to remind caregivers that Sport NZ and Sport Hawke’s Bay have said that students 12 years and 3 months and older need to be fully vaccinated to play inter-school sport.
I want to reassure you that staff are preparing for the eventuality that we will have students and/or staff isolating because they are close contacts to a case or they may even be a case. As such we are preparing for hybrid learning. This situation would mean we have students who are isolating or are a positive case, learning from home while other students attend school. Students have been given a Device Loan Agreement form to get signed in case they may need to borrow a laptop from the school in the future. Please return these forms as soon as possible. Your child would have also brought home a contact details page to check. If your contact details have changed please amend on the form and return to school or please call the office to get your details updated. If your child is a close contact of a case in the first instance we will email you.
Our preliminary NCEA results have been published, they will be confirmed in April 2022. Wairoa College performed above similar Decile schools at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Wairoa College performed above National results at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Wairoa College performed well above Maori National achievement rates at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. In fact we are 16.8% above the National Level 2 Maori Achievement rates. Wairoa College performed above Decile 6 schools at Level 2 and Level 3. This week we acknowledged students who achieved Level and Subject endorsements. This is a fantastic accomplishment. Well done to those student’s.
We are very proud of the achievements of our students last year particularly during a pandemic. Our tikanga is strong and we are continuing to grow. Wairoa College would like to thank whānau and the community for continuing to support our students to be the best they can be.
We are looking forward to another year where we will be continuing to be adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of our students in an ever changing environment.
Ngā mihi nui
Mrs Jo-Anne Vennell
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is a major focus for Term One. ‘Regular’ attendance is defined for statistical purposes as 90% or higher. However, Ministry of Education analysis shows every day has a cumulative impact on a child’s learning and there is no ‘safe’ level of non-attendance. Every day matters. In the first instance your child's whanau teacher will follow up on unexplained absences. If your child is sick please notify the school by phone, text, or email by 8.30 am. Try to arrange appointments etc. outside school hours or in the holidays.
LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY
Students may not leave the school during school hours except by special arrangement – for example, a parent request (verbal or written) for the student to attend a medical appointment. The student must sign out at the office.
Exceptions are:
Lunch passes: Permanent, for students who travel to their own home for lunch each day, and one-off, for students who need to be out of school at lunchtime on a particular day. Issuing of this pass is managed by the office manager, and requires a note from the student's parent/caregiver.
Year 13 passes: Year 13 students who meet the criteria can be issued a pass to leave the school during lunch times. The pass can be withdrawn if the student abuses this privilege or their attendance doesn't meet 85%.
PPTA Paid Union Meeting
On Monday 21 February the PPTA union staff are required attend a paid union meeting. Unfortunately, this will impact on our school day.
School will be finishing at 12:25 on Monday. Please make arrangements for your child. The buses will be running as normal and a supervised class will be available for bus students.
Please contact us if you have any concerns.
Mrs Lisa Akers
Deputy Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PPTA Paid Union Meeting - Monday 21 February
- Mates n Dates - Tuesday 22 February
- Student First Aid Course - Tuesday 22 February
- Year 11 Agriculture Farm Visit - Wednesday 23 February
- Year 12 Agriculture Farm Visit - Thursday 24 February
- EIT Trades Academy Gisborne - Friday 25 February
- Learner Licence Course - Monday 28 February
Contact Us
Email: info@wairoacollege.school.nz
Website: https://www.wairoacollege.school.nz/
Location: Wairoa College Lucknow Street, Wairoa 4108, New Zealand
Phone: +64 06 838 8303
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wairoacollege