27 October 2023

Our senior students effectively finish their time in classrooms next week, although this does not mean that they year for them is finished as there are still portfolios to complete and submit, resubmissions to finish, and external examinations to sit.

The message to our seniors this week has been around the approach to their examinations – all we ask is that they consider how their effort in the exams reflects on those who have supported them to this point. When they get their results in January, can they sit with parents and caregivers and say with confidence that the grade they achieved represents the very best that they could do (remember, success looks different for everyone). The next few weeks requires some sacrifice (work, sport, leisure) to ensure that they set themselves up as best they can for next year and beyond.

Exam Leave

As mentioned, a couple of weeks ago we have identified a number of students across Years 11 to 13 who are not quite ready to begin their exam leave next week.

Students who have assessments that they are yet to submit (or resubmissions to complete) have been identified thanks to our tracking, and to our teachers for submitting up-to-date data. Parents, caregivers, and selected students will be notified by email on Monday next week as to the plan in place for a structured week of support before exam leave can commence. The notification will advise of the credits earned to date, and what standards are still available to complete (both internal and external).

All students that have been notified will be required to meet in the library during period 1 on Wednesday 1st November. At that time, they will each have a meeting with an Akina Leader, Dean, member of SLT, or subject teacher to develop a plan to submit assessments the following week. These students will then put that plan into effect during the week beginning 6th November – working with subject specialists in dedicated work areas across the school, departing for study leave when they have fulfilled their plan.

Our senior students have been advised of the rational for this at assemblies through the week. We are not providing additional assessments to push our stats up, as this does nothing to benefit the students themselves in the future. Rather it is an opportunity for students who were not ready to submit assessments for a variety of reasons earlier in the year to focus and submit before the year ends.

Celebration of Success

This time of the year, whilst busy, is incredibly rewarding with the opportunity to celebrate the year’s work.

Over the last week and a half, we have had four fantastic celebrations of student success. Thursday 19th October was the first, with our annual Sports Prizegiving Dinner. A superb night which celebrated the success of individuals, teams, coaches, and managers and really highlighted the positive impact that sport plays in the life of many of our students. It was an opportunity for our school to thank the parents and staff that give their time to ensure that opportunities to compete or participate are available, and to acknowledge our generous sponsors. My thanks to Nikki Witehira and Georgie Simmons, and our two Sports Leaders Emily Blowers and Jackson Death for organising and hosting a superb event.

Tuesday 24th October was Te Angitu o Le Moana Pasifika, an evening that celebrated the success of Pasifika and Māori across all endeavours. Teresa Kanuta and Protestor Faiva led the charge on the organisation, and our Building Academy worked wonders to turn our hall into a venue befitting the occasion. Performances from across the Pacific (including a fire dance – outside) took place throughout the evening. It was great to have Head Prefect 2011 Metitilani Alo speak and perform, as well as having Rewa Selmeci in to present one of the prestigious awards. Our Cultural Leaders Kalani Matthes and Rikki Taingahue were our fantastic hosts.

Wednesday 25th October was the night for our Academies to shine, with the achievements of students from Years 12 and 13 being recognised. The evening took in all of our Academies, from Automotive through to Tourism. It was wonderful to see the tutors presenting the awards in front of a full house, demonstrating the strong bonds that are forged in our Academy programmes. Thanks to Nick Hackett for coordinating the organisation, and to our two Academy Prefects Jade Bench and Donte Skinner-Lauti for hosting on the night.

Thursday 26th saw Te Whare Āhuru take centre stage at Pō Whakanui. It was great to have whānau in to celebrate the success of students from years 9 through 13, some travelling from Australia to take part. Whaea Awa, spritely as ever, presented one of the awards and later closed the night with a beautiful waiata. Whaea Danielle, Whaea Lisa, and Matua Josh ensured the evening was not only a celebration, but also a chance to enhance attendees’ knowledge of Tikanga. The highlight of the night were the two MC’s Tiotiana Tito and Tom Apanui-Drewet – they were absolutely superb, equally assured, and confident in Te Reo Māori as they were in English.

My thanks to Board of Trustees members who attended these events.

Tonight, we have our celebration of senior Dance, and of course next week is the big one – Senior Prizegiving – the night which sees the naming of our Prefects for 2024 and of our top academic awards.   

Year 13 Camp 2024

The start of 2024 will see the reintroduction of Year 13 camp. For me, it is incredibly important for as much of our Year 13 cohort to be able to bond at the start of the year, I have many wonderful memories of Year 13 camps over the years and the impact that they have had on students.

Thanks to the efforts of Callandra Field, more Year 13s than ever before will again have this opportunity.

We are looking to have 180 of our Year 13s spend 3 days (2 nights) together in the first week back next year. During that time, they will engage in variety of activities whilst strengthening ties with each other. Notification has gone out to current Year 12 students, and the camp will fill on a first in basis.

Thanks to Callanda’s efforts, and the generosity of sponsors, the cost to students for the camp has been kept at $50. I’m looking forward to the reintroduction of a Massey High School tradition.

Upcoming Events

There are still several events to come, particularly as we gear up to farewelling our Year 13 students:

Tuesday 31st October                   Year 11 Prizegiving

Wednesday 1st November           Senior Prizegiving

Thursday 2nd November               Foundation Lunch to farewell Year 13

Friday 3rd November                     Year 13 Graduation

Monday 6th November                 First day of NCEA External Examinations