Principal’s Report
We welcome the following students and their families to our school and community:
- Cheyenne Taylor, Year 9
- Asanti Soffe-Wilkinson, Year 1
- Neve Hudson, New Entrant
- Emma Goodin, New Entrant
It seems incredible that we are at the end of an action‐packed term. You are probably wondering where it all went.
CONGRATULATIONS
- To Jared Wooldridge (Year 13), who has received the extraordinary offer by the University of Otago and the Virtual Learning Network to participate in the ‘Knowledge Building Project’ being undertaken by Jared’s Level 3 Classics tutor. The research about how best to support senior students’ online learning will be published by the University.
- To Zac Hetherington, who has had spectacular success in the world of motocross. We will profile Zac next term. For now, it is enough to tell you that Zac has been asked to ride in Australia for the motorbike manufacturing team, KTM. This is an amazing achievement, Zac. The Sports Academy thanks legend Shane King for his tutoring.
- To Hamish Kape (Year 11) for his achievement of 2nd place in the TSSSA Lawn Bowls tournament. Hamish has certainly made the most of his talents and, with the support of his Sports Academy tutors, will no doubt perform with distinction at the National Tournament in Hamilton later this year.
PARENT, TEACHER, AND STUDENT INTERVIEWS
If we were unsure of the response to a second shot at it (after being blown off course on the 20th) we were certainly very pleased to have those thoughts put to rest. A more congenial, positive and productive set of meetings would be hard to recall. I had staff emailing me little gems of affirming thoughts from parents about the meetings, but more especially about the support and community regard there is for what we are achieving together. It is great to hear of:
- The general happiness with the progress and achievement of your children
- Your support for the special character of our school – the Seniors and Juniors interacting in ways such as buddy reading and tuakana/teina relationships. I know the current Year 13 students are taking the lead on this.
- Your desire to know how best to support your child at home. This is an important goal for our Board ,who believe that the way we allow these learning conversations to occur means that parents can get a beKer understanding of how school works, and how they can help
As I often say after such experiences, make sure the matters agreed to are followed through, and don’t let formal meetings be the only times you work with your children’s teachers. Thank you for the value you have attached to your children’s learning by making yourselves available. The turnout overall was excellent. Thank you for the valuable feedback we have received about the Years 1–8 interviews – this will be shared with the Board.
EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
A wonderful week of fun and learning was had by all who attended the various camps last week. I know there are plenty of the “pictures speaking a thousand words” in the newsletter, but I sincerely commend the example and commitment of those who took annual leave, hired relief milkers or arranged care for their other children to support their children and Coastal staff to make the camps possible.
Thank you to the teachers who organised and supported the activities. We trust you have fully recovered from your 24‐hour supervision. The memories you have helped create are a great reward.
- Years 5 and 6 (and as many parents – thank you!) had a ball at Vertical Horizons with Mrs Normanton and Mrs Lash
- Years 7 and 8 went to Mr Hislop’s favourite school camping place at Tongaporutu with Mrs Valentine. This was also very well supported.
Year 13 enjoyed a very focussed and empowering leadership camp at Tarawainuku marae at Puniho Pa, coordinated by Mr Hayward. Thanks to the many staff who had a turn (or performed a number, so I’ve heard. Don’t worry, what happens on camp stays on camp).
STAFF CHANGES IN TERM TWO
As I have mentioned before, our talented teacher of Year 1 and colleague, Kelly Madden, is taking time out, with the best wishes of the Board, to pursue her musical ambitions with Greg and the group.
Yesterday we were very fortunate to select, from a very strong shortlist, Mrs Jacqueline Coster who brings a wealth of experience to Coastal Taranaki School. Welcome aboard Jacqueline – thank you for stepping straight in and working with Kelly this week.
With the welcome return of Ms Mel Zimmerman to Year 4, the Board has been able to select Mrs Sue Cooke to work with Mrs Lawn as our second New Entrant teacher.
There were a large number of applications for both positions, and we are gratified that the reputation of Coastal is such that this situation exists. I know you will all join us in supporting Jacqueline, Sue and Mel as they commence their new roles. We are very fortunate to be able to include them in our team.
Finally, I would like to express my admiration for the support that has been expressed by the parents of the Year 1 and Year 4 students. I know security and certainty are important for all students, and your support will help a lot as new learning relationships develop between students, the new teachers, and parents.
Mary Waru our junior school cleaner, has indicated her wish to resign. Mary is moving to Auckland. I would like to acknowledge the exceptional standard of care and pride Mary brought to her work. We are sad at losing a valued employee, but wish her the very best in her new venture.
A cleaning position will be advertised at the start of Term Two.
SCIENCE ROADSHOW (YEARS 7–10)
Thank you to Friends of Coastal Taranaki School and Mrs Rae Dalgleish (Head of Faculty, Science) for making sure Coastal students had the wonderfully engaging learning experience that is the Science Roadshow. Coastal students spent yesterday morning at Devon Intermediate and represented us with pride.
The school very much appreciates the generous funding of the entry fee by Friends of Coastal Taranaki School. Mrs Dalgleish’s Science department funded the bus fare.
Term One has been a whirlwind: fast and furious but mixed with lots of fun and opportunities to excel in and out of the classroom.
All of us at Coastal Taranaki School wish our students and parents and Friends of Coastal Taranaki School a safe and relaxing Easter holiday. We look forward to seeing all of our students again on April 23.
Thanks to the Coastal teaching and support staff who have created our congenial and productive school – you have very much earned your rest and recreation over the next two weeks. We are eagerly anticipating Term Two.
