Principal's Message
In its 95th year that a secondary school has served the community of Helensville, I am pleased to state that Kaipara College has once again excelled. The NZ Qualifications Authority changed the way results were reported for 2018, but our school received near record achievements of 78% for both NCEA Level 1 and Level 2. We had our record achievement at NCEA Level 3 of 75% and our record UE pass rate of 59% was a fantastic way for us to begin the school year. Congratulations to all our students, but in particular the large number of students who also gained their respective certificates endorsed with Excellence or Merit. As this year draws to a close, I am pleased to say that we are on track to at least match, or even better, these results.
Within our school, and inside the classrooms, our staff have been continually updating the methods of how we deliver the New Zealand curriculum. Midway through 2019. our curriculum advancement reached a climax when the major structural changes for 2020 were announced. With 90 minute periods, mentoring and ako time built into the school year, and semesterisation of senior courses, I must acknowledge the work and attitude of our staff. Particularly the work happening during term 3, as well as the work being currently undertaken to prepare for these changes. Change is not easy, but the levels of enthusiasm and excitement bodes well for the start of 2020.
This year, all Year 9 students brought devices to school to enable learning to occur at every possible level. This has allowed our students to access information immediately and beyond the classroom. It has allowed students the ability to interact with each other on shared documents, collaborate more effectively, and receive timely and sometimes instant feedback on their work. As BYOD rolls out through each year level, the possibilities of access to online resources continue to open up to our students, allowing them to be future-focused, 21st century learners.
Our new Year 9 te ao maori course now kick starts what life at Kaipara College is like for our students with respect to tangata whenua and our local surroundings.
This year we welcomed a very talented group of student leaders. They were ably led by Head Students: Lukas Faulkner and Jordan Cowper, and Deputy Head Students: Jaime Allen, Melody Gray-Hohepa, and Angus O’Sullivan. The whole student leadership team have been outstanding ambassadors for our school and we wish them well for life beyond school.
Nga Taniwha o Kaipara, our Kapa Haka group, were sensational at the delayed ASB Polyfest this year. Being promoted into Division 1 for the first time, the ropu were well within their rights to perform on that stage, picking up the most improved performance award. To top off another successful year, Nga Taniwha o Kaipara closed last week’s Kaipara Festival, held here at our school for the first time in 25 years. Not only was the event incredibly successful, our ropu once again represented themselves, our school, their whanau and our iwi with tremendous pride.
In the sports arena, Kaipara College continued to excel at both elite and participation levels. Our team of the year, the 1st XV rugby team, can once again claim they are back in the 1A competition for 2020 - the first time in over a decade. A special thanks to the coaching staff of the 1st XV for your commitment and drive to see this group of students excel and reach their potential. We will get revenge on Mahurangi next year. Our senior netball team traveled to the Gold Coast earlier this year and finished 3rd in an international tournament before returning for the regular season and finishing the first round of the North Harbour competition in 1st place. They also represented the college in Division 2 of UNISS this year - the first time in many years. Placing 8th was incredibly respectful and they only narrowly missed out on further promotion for 2020. Our Waka Ama crews maintained their exceptionally high standards by being crowned national champions once again. Our school equestrian team is also performing well above expectations, with individual and team success at various events throughout the year. We have also had numerous students represent NZ in a variety of team and individual sports. What's really exciting about sport is the increased participation numbers of our students and the increased number of teams we are putting out week after week. Long may this continue.
The performing arts continue to be a flag flyer for Kaipara College. With continued excellence in the rockquest competition and being recognised nationally as a leading school in music, the hours of work our music staff and students put into their passion is admirable.
At the recent music awards evening we were able to recognise Mr Mike Chunn from the Play it Strange Trust and the contribution he has made to our school over the last 20 years. It is with his support that we are able to produce some of the talent on display at our school. A particular congratulations to our Year 11 band, once again, 3-4 Glory for your successes, and a special congratulations to Melody Gray-Hohepa, winner of the best te reo maori song and who earned the right to perform onstage at Spark arena with Mick Fleetwood and Sir Bob Geldof. Our school show, Jack and the Beanstalk was another wonderful display of our school's creativity. Congratulations to you all and a special mention to Mr Greg McLarin who has been named as a finalist in the Showdown Awards.
Over the course of the year our school community has come together so well. I am sure, as a nation, we will not forget the atrocities that occurred in Christchurch on March 15th. Our students rallied around to support and acknowledge the tragedy and our muslim community. Later in the year we also had the sudden death of one of our own. What never ceases to amaze me is in times of hardship the way our students and our community support each other. It is like no other experience I have had in my educational career.
Within our community our students continue to do great things and continuously give back by being involved in assisting in rest homes, tutoring younger students, assisting Primary Schools with events, and of course assisting our own school community with coaching and tutoring. To everyone who has given up time to give back, thank you and congratulations.
Te Kahui Ako o Kaipara, our community of learning for the Kaipara Schools, continues to develop. Te Ropu Rangatira, our Maori student agency group, kick started the year with a professional development day for every teacher in our community, not only our school. As we continue to develop our pedagogy and practice across the kahui ako, we are excited to see how we can enhance the transitions for our students from Year 8 into secondary school.
I am very fortunate to have been surrounded with great teachers, staff and community members for our school. Recently I have met the previous four school principals, Mr Griffiths, Mr Gurelja, Mr Grant and Mr Gale. Many of these meetings were due to the recent 60 year reunion celebrations. It was a great event where over 200 past students were able to meet up once again, share stories and reminisce about their time at Kaipara College or Helensville District High School. It was an honour to listen to stories from students who attended as far back as 1947, where on this very site a military drill was undertaken before crossing Rautawhiri Road to undertake shooting practice. Oh, how times have changed.
At the start of this year we welcomed a whopping 14 new staff. All of whom have settled well and who have contributed above and beyond to the education of our students. Staff, thank you all for your service and commitment to our students, school and the community. You are a committed group of staff that are embracing change and wanting to do the best for our students.
I want to make a special acknowledgement to the staff who have contributed to our senior leadership team this year. Mr Hardy, Ms Bravery, Mr Roberts, Mr Limmer, and recent additions, Ms Farnan and Ms Gordon. It has been a challenging year adapting to change and I want to publicly thank you all for your relentless commitment to your roles, our students and our school.
Our school roll peaked this year at 810 full time students at the start of the year - a record for Kaipara College. As we look towards 2020 we predict this to be in excess of 830 students causing pressure and challenges but so many opportunities.
Last week we confirmed the design lead team for our new technology building and we will be meeting with them in the next few weeks to rebirth the design for a $25 million, 18 classroom upgrade of our school including technology, the arts, science and our whare ako. We are aiming for construction to start at Easter next year.
Finally from me a few words of thanks. Thank you to the Board of Trustees for giving me the opportunity to be the Principal of this school. I am truly humbled and honoured. A particular thank you to our BoT chair Andrea Clarke. No one sees the numerous hours of work you put into our school behind the scenes. Thank you for your support throughout this year. I would like to personally thank our non-teaching staff. Thank you for being my greatest support through the best and toughest days in this role. To the wider Kaipara community, a special thank you to you too. It is clear that this is more than a school - it is a whanau and one that I am proud to be a part of. Thank you to the students of Kaipara College. Like I have said to many, the students are why our school is so great. You are brilliant.
On a personal note, I would like to also thank my beautiful wife Desiree, and our two boys Cameron and Oliver. Every day you give me strength and belief. You are there for me personally through thick and thin and I can't wait to continue to watch us grow as a family.
Finally, I would like to leave you all with this whakatauki - one that is important to me and to our school.
Whāia te iti kahurangi. Ekea tō tāpuhipuhi.
Pursue excellence. Follow your dreams. Reach your potential, be all that you can be.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa