Principal’s Page

PRINCIPAL

Tēnā koutou katoa

In this most challenging of years, our students have proven amazingly resilient. Numerous events and activities have had to be postponed or cancelled altogether. “I’m gutted” was a frequent response to the news that there was no winter tournament or that the Ball had been delayed again or that a favourite subject had been forced to cut the number of NCEA credits on offer. In spite of these challenges, our students have just shrugged, adapted their expectations and got on with it.

I recognise that for some there will be a different story, that this year may have heightened anxiety, and that school has just not been a priority at times. For those members of our Pukekohe community who have found 2020 a struggle, I trust that the emphasis that we have tried to place on relationships and manaakitanga have made some difference.

In a year when we have had to become accustomed to virtual meetings, we have also been reminded of the fundamental importance of human contact, of the essential value of seeing each other kanohi ki te kanohi, rather than through a screen. Zoom or Teams have become a part of our everday language and yet there is no substitute for the warmth of human interactions. Returning a little nervously from the first lockdown, hoping that a great deal of hand sanitiser and some sage advice about social distancing would keep everyone safe, we were greeted by returning students hugging each other and giving high fives. There’s nothing like teenage enthusiasm to give you a good reality check.

The lessons that we have learned repeatedly this year about the importance of relationships and connectedness have helped our students to achieve some wonderful results. To the Epro8 Challenge Winners, who beat 60 other secondary schools to win the grand final; to our kaunihera Maaori for their incredible mahi in organising Matariki celebrations; to our jazz musicians who returned from the Manawatu festival with a host of awards including Best Young Musician – and to so many other individuals and groups who have achieved well and made your school proud of you this year: congratulations to you all.

At the time of writing, the school has just hosted an experienced team from the Education Review Office. (Some things don’t get cancelled it seems). This verification visit completes the review cycle that began with the publication of the ERO report in September 2018. I am pleased to share with you that ERO noted the definite progress that the school has made over the last two years and that the goals of putting in place good systems, of engaging more with our community and of working hard to lift the achievement of all our students, have at least been partially met. Of course, we all recognise the challenges ahead, and that the journey is not complete, but it is affirming to hear and read the positive comments we received. I would like to use this opportunity to publicly thank the staff for working extremely hard to respond to the challenges that ERO gave us in 2018. When Sam Cane was interviewed after the All Blacks won the third Bledisloe test in Sydney, he was asked if it was a relief to win: “Oh, it’s more than a relief, it’s incredibly exciting.” Without wishing to get ahead of ourselves, I am confident that the future for our school is also incredibly exciting.

Next year, we turn 100. I am sure that 2021 will also bring its challenges. But Pukekohe High School is in good heart. Next year will see the start of our campus redevelopment plan and an aspirational vision and strategic plan that will help to raise all our expectations still further.

To those of you moving on from PHS, and especially to our Year 13 leavers who have coped with so much this year, I wish you all the best for your future, wherever that may take you.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

Richard Barnett