Star Board Term Two Week Nine

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

I feel the use of the suffix ‘-tion’ is about to take centre stage in this paragraph. There was a sense of urgency on Wednesday afternoon as we got the call that PPTA industrial action was to cease immediately. The situation now goes to arbitration, and a resolution will be found. The news that the industrial action was to cease was greeted with celebration by teachers here, and perhaps for a small number of students it was greeted with a sense of mortification that the ‘’days off’ were at an end, but also excited anticipation as we return to business as usual.

I chatted with students about how they were utilising the rostering out days and their responses were mixed. The access to our learning management system Teams has been usefully employed by most. Some have revelled in the independent learning opportunity to complete assessments and assignments.

Special Leave requests

I find myself once again writing that the core business of every school is teaching and learning, and both are top notch in our school. But for both these things to be successful we need the girls in class.

Interruptions are the bane of any school’s existence. I am mindful of those we create, and we consider the impact of such interruptions when planning. I am mindful that absence from school can also be created by forces outside our immediate control like Pandemics, and we adapt our programmes to ensure learning continues. I am mindful of impacts on attendance caused by industrial action and that there will be a need to compensate for learning opportunities affected by such events.

However, when all is as it should be, and such situations are not happening, we need you as parents to help us by not taking your children out of class.

If you apply for Special Leave to attend events and I mark it as Explained- it is a beautiful way of saying ‘Not Approved’. I do not mark these requests as ‘Explained’ because I want them to miss out on things they have chosen to do; I do this because they are meant to be in class.

The Ministry has Attendance criteria with which we must comply:

• Explained absence: An absence for which the explanation is accepted by the school as the reason for the absence. The decision on whether an explained absence is ‘justified’ or ‘unjustified’ will be largely determined by the school’s attendance policy. (See note below)
• Justified absence: An explained absence within the school’s policy as an acceptable reason for the student to be away from school.
• Unjustified absence: An absence that is either unexplained or, explained but the explanation is not within the school’s policy as an acceptable reason for the student to be away from school.

These are the stipulations we provide for our school processes:

• M- Not in class; Student absent due to short-term illness/medical reasons. Student is at home, or in hospital, because of illness or other medical reason. Depending on school policy a medical certificate may be requested for prolonged illness. eg three days, or as policy requires. (Justified)
• J- Not in class; Justified absence – reason for absence within the school policy; Unplanned absences such as a bus breakdown, accident, road closure, extreme weather conditions etc. Planned non- attendance such as national/local representation in a sporting or cultural event in New Zealand or overseas. Approved absence (including overseas) can also include bereavement, visiting an ill relative, exceptional family circumstances or a Section 27. (Justified)
• E- Not in class; Student is absent with an Explained, but Unjustified reason. The explanation for the absence is accepted by the school as the reason for the absence. But the reason does not fit within the school's policy as a justifiable reason to take the student off school. (Even though the parents may consider the absence was justified and may have provided a written explanation). E.g. “Molly had to stay home to look after her younger brother”. For New Zealand and overseas holidays use code "G" (Unjustified)
• G- Not in class; Holiday during term time When a student is on a New Zealand, or, Overseas holiday during the school term, the absence is Unjustified. A parent's note does not provide justification. (Unjustified)

Like all schools, we have systems and policies in place to help those for whom absence from class is unavoidable. By the same token we expect everyone to adhere to those processes.

If I justify a Leave request, especially that of a senior, I am also accepting of her reasons based on the prescribed criteria. This is vital in the Assessment process and such approvals are considered for NZQA data.

If I do not see an absence as justified, that is I consider it explained, one cannot expect leeway with assessments. The conditions for assessment must be fair to all.

Digital Footprints

You may recall that Rob Cope came to address parents about our youth and their online lives. He gave three significant concepts to take away with us: Boundaries, Filters, and Talk. As parents setting boundaries and filters in their early lives is easy right? Doing these things in their teens- a destination and conversation too far? But to keep them safe - I fully support this travel destination my friend.

While you are there talk about their Digital Footprints. We do some of this at school but making it a home dialogue also is valuable. Not one of us has lived life without mucking up at some time - we will call it an error of judgement. We learn and we move on. Today those silly little moments are being captured on Instagram, Snap chat and other social media platforms and shared so widely and so quickly that before we know it - everyone knows it, and everyone has seen it. The difference between the time I grew up in is that it would be forgotten and erased from our memory banks; and the world of social media now is that erasing social media posts is not so easy. And how do you control the many devices on which others have saved or shared it?

There is a desire for youth (and older) to document every part of their lives. There are lots of positives in social media, but being aware of potential perils is just sensible. The overriding objective is to protect our online reputation because one day it will become a part of your resume.

Universities and tertiary providers will potentially read your online profile. It is important to not let your online profile be the difference between gaining acceptance and receiving a rejection letter because of something immature that was posted on social media.

Be mindful when sharing photos or being snapped in photos- once it’s taken you have no control of it. Always remember that without your permission and consent anything digitally recorded of you and shared is unlawful.

Social attitude and aptitude are considerations for employment, halls of residence and the like. Any immature posts, cyber bullying, or generally distasteful material found on your or your child’s profile can create a barrier to gaining an opportunity.

I can tell you I google potential staff and so can tell you that employers will Google your kids. The difference between your daughter and another applicant could be their digital footprint.

I say this every year in my end of year Prizegiving speech, so please be fascinated when I say it this year, which I will because sadly it remains relevant.

Do not say anything online that you would not want plastered on a billboard with your face on it. Not every part of your private life needs to be public , and social media is not the place to seek affirmation, acceptance, identity , and security.

My hope remains that we remember that social media is our servant and not our master, because we each control our own destiny . The number of likes or opens you get is not your life determiner.

Have a great and safe weekend

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Around School

Boarding Note

As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, afterschool clubs have been running in the boarding house during weeknights this term. The reason for introducing clubs was to connect boarders who did not have an afterschool commitment and were looking for something to do with others. Last night there were chalk drawings with Eleanor (Tutor) which some of our Year 7&8 boarders enjoyed immensely, and on Tuesday Mrs Wilkinson (Matron) led her committed Pilates girls through their weekly session.

Next term we plan to introduce a fitness session at City Fitness led by our very own Mrs Jo Fair (Matron) who is an instructor at the gym. The initial feedback from boarders about this suggestion was very positive so I hope to see lots sign up for these sessions. Note that there will be a small cost of $5 per person per class to cover using the gym’s facilities.

A few notices for the final week of the term 2-

• All girls must clear out their rooms and get them checked off before leaving for the holidays.
• There is a Boarders Dinner on the last Thursday of each term. If your daughter is a PPTB who does not normally board on a Thursday but would like to attend the dinner, please contact me to change her second boarding night for Week 10.
• Final assembly is 2pm on the last day of term. Please note attendance is compulsory.
• Please complete your Orah passes when your daughter is last in boarding until Sunday 16th July when all boarders (full and part time) are due back between 3-5pm.
• There will be an afternoon tea for boarding parents/ families from 4-4.15pm and a Boarders Parents Meeting in the dining room at 4.15-4.30pm on Sunday 16th July.

Enjoy the weekend and we look forward to a productive final week in boarding.

Jo

Hokonui Fashion entries

The work of year 12 and 13 Fashion students is on its way to Gore for model fittings and prejudging.