Knowledge based curriculum

As we head into the final weeks of term two it is interesting to look back on the two terms we have had this year focussing on the NZ Curriculum change led by the Ministry of Education.  We have been working so hard as a staff to get to know the NZ Curriculum, the changes that keep rolling through (even still changing at the beginning of this year).  The curriculum has been backward mapped from year 10, so each year level has been lifted.  All very important details to ensure kaiako are fully understanding what now needs to be covered.

Moving into the change in assessment tools.  The assessment tools we use such as PAT Maths and PAT comprehension were adjusted mid way through term one, after we had gathered our beginning of year data.  The data will now be skewed for the end of year collection as each of the year levels now covers new material.  We also trialled the new SMART tool for reading, writing and maths for our year 3 to 8 learners.  The tool is now being calibrated and results will then be shared at the end of the year.  A really good chance for us to check in on how our tamariki access tools.  For example, our tamariki have never typed a writing assessment, and their editing skills were very poor.  Their results are now skewed.

It seems like a rush and feels like a rush.  I am all for change and doing the absolute best that we can for our tamariki, but feel that this process could have been rolled out in a much more professional manner.  Give our kaiako time to know the refreshed curriculum.  Give kaiako time to adapt their teaching to account for a knowledge based curriculum, rather than building on what tamariki know.  Kaiako now plan to teach what is in each year level.  Let this happen over time, so that resources and professional development are accessed and our tamariki get the absolute best.  We are getting these changes the same time as whanau.  It seems unprofessional to not give kaiako the chance to upskill and be confident before they are expected to embed these changes in their teaching practice.

After reflection, I am so proud of our kura.  Our staff have grasped every opportunity to upskill, tweak and learn at pace.  We are not proclaiming to be perfect, but boy are we trying to adapt our practice at pace to be the best we can for our tamariki.  We are keeping calm, even though things are coming at us.  We want the very best for everyone.

Needless to say, as we approach the break, we need it.  Time to review, reflect and go again.  Education is certainly the most dynamic career to be in!  What a privilege and a blessing.  What wins everyday....our tamariki!  They are worth it!  Check out our recent Matariki celebrations.  This is what brings the joy as our tamariki thrive.

Kathryn Carey

2026 New Year - New Celebrations

Tena koutou

We have started off 2026 with a wonderful year planned for our tamariki.  Our school is brimming with chatter, learning and fun.  

Our goals this year will be around

- building on Christian Witness through our strong relationships, whanaungatanga, pastoral care and Catholic identity.

- continuing to implement the structured maths programme, including the changes to the NZ Curriculum.  Staff will be taking part in ongoing professional development around mathematics.

- formative assessment as part of our Manaiakalani cluster. We are looking forward to really unpacking this as a staff and setting some strong goals moving forward with our tamariki being confident in what they are learning and why

- PB4L - positive behaviour for learning.  Embedding our school values in all aspects of our kura. Our staff have been working with our Ministry lead to implement some positive systems for our tamariki to thrive at kura.

This year we are getting our brand new shade sail over our turf area.  This will make a huge difference to our indoor/outdoor play areas.  We are hoping to be able to use this area for our celebrations, events and to enhance our play space.

Our staff have recently taken part in whole school professional development around neuro-diversity.  Such a wonderful opportunity to network with other kura in our region and to meet specialist teachers who were able to share their knowledge with us.  We have come back to our kura and shared resources and expertise to action in our classrooms.

It is a privilege to be leading in our school and we value our community voice.  If you have any ideas/suggestions or just want to chat, come in and see us.

Looking forward to a blessed year ahead!

Nga mihi nui

Kathryn Carey

Principal

Term Three 2025 - Principal Appreciation Day

Principal Appreciation Day fell on Wednesday 23rd July.  I have been so spoilt by my staff and feel so appreciated.  They went over and above with a wonderful display of heartfelt messages which I treasure.  

I sent my tumuaki colleagues an email reminding them that they are awesome and are "seen".  I recognise the extra hours, stress, devotion and hard work that each of us as tumuaki are striving to continue to be the best that we can for the schools we lead. Some of us were "appreciated" and some were not. It got me thinking....the things that really make the difference.

- On Tumuaki Appreciation day I had cuddles and smiles from 5 year olds

- A year 4 eagerly shared the cave weta's that his Dad had brought in to school and he had shared with his classroom

- I received a gift from a year 8 whanau who had just got back from Japan

- Earlier in the week I had two staff members that gave me flowers after a surgical procedure welcoming  me back.

I was able to enjoy these special moments with joy. These things all fell on Principal Appreciation Day quietly and I felt so good!  You don't do a job for recognition, appreciation or kudos, but boy it helps when you get to see the great things in your role too.

The week has been a challenge.  Staff unwell, trying to find cover, jumping in the classes, juggling as staff have things on and I try my best to jump in to alleviate stress by taking their class.  Three late nights in a row with 11 and 12 hour days with board meetings and then first aid training.  So much "extra" to fit in. However, peel back the "extra's" and the best times are always with the kids.

I look outside at my own home and see the uniforms that I have brought home and washed.  So many things you do to keep everything rolling along to the best that you can.  Such a small thing, washing uniforms, but one of the many extra things that go unnoticed. I wonder if people realise the depth of the role in a small school.  You simply do not have the manpower to get the little things done, so they are done on top of the massive amounts of administration required to keep a school rolling along.  Often the administration takes more time than it should. I have spent the majority of my year trying to get funding for buses, so our tamariki don't miss opportunities.  Funding for devices, so no one misses out.

The absolute best part of the job is the students.  Seeing them experience new learning, opportunities, special moments.  It is gold.  Not only are you working with the best age group, but the support with the extra things are huge.  Staff that are part of the waka and on a journey to support the kura is vital.  Connection with whanau, tamariki and the community is vital.  How blessed we are as a special character school with our Parish working alongside our kura in such a supportive way.

As we roll through the immense changes that the Ministry keep throwing at us, it reminds me to keep things in perspective.  At the end of the day, our tamariki are the ones that keep us in our jobs.  Those supportive staff members that quietly go about to make you feel appreciated are gold.  No matter what your role is, know that you make a difference with the small compliment, the offer of thanks and noticing the small and big things that are happening. 

I always make sure my teaching staff and support staff are acknowledged on their appreciation days.  I believe it is important that they feel the awhi and feel valued. We have the very best morning tea's celebrating birthdays and achievements.  Each staff member gets flowers or a voucher on their birthday and any milestones are celebrated together, just like we do for our tamariki.  I hope that it brings some light into their lives too.

So, Tumuaki Appreciation Day 2025 was an opportunity as always to reflect, be thankful and continue on the journey in education which is dynamic, challenging, rewarding and hard!  What a privilege to be a Tumuaki in 2025!

Clean uniforms, all ready to go for week 3!

Term Two, 2025 - Te Ao Mārama – Embracing Hope through Aroha and Whakapono.

 It has been a real privilege to attend the NZCPPA Conference in Wellington.  A really important time to connect with other Catholic Principal's throughout Aotearoa.  

The theme Te Ao Mārama – Embracing Hope through Aroha and Whakapono really resonated with the importance of connection.  God made us to connect with others to support our faith as community.

Keynote speakers

Vince Ford

Suggests that we ask an open ended question of students who are in our office “What does it feel like to be you today?”

See things from their perspective. He challenges us to connect through storytelling.  As leaders, imagine the stories behind the behaviour.

In daily interactions - Take a breath before you judge. There is more to the story. 

Mass with Archbishop Paul Martin in the Wellington Cathedral. This beautiful church has only been open for one year, as it was made earthquake proof which took approximately 5 years. It radiated peace and hope. The homily from Bishop Martin was truly inspiring. He spoke about being a secondary school teacher and understood the significance of education. He prayed for our hope, wisdom and passion as we head for Pentecost Sunday this weekend. An absolute highlight of my time away.

Maggie Craig was a keynot speaker who linked parables to communion with others.

She spoke about the "Road to Emmaus, 7 miles - 7 is a significant number". She spoke about Jesus is not a subject to teach but a person to engage with. 

Do not be afraid appears 365 times in the bible. One for each day of the year 

Theology of friendship. Friendship has power.You are built to be in relationships with others. Spiritually we need friends 

4 levels of friendship 

Heart - very rare - take time. Lot of honesty. Defined by vulnerability 

Common interest - see the world the same way

Convenience - see each other regularly- work, live nearby 

Functionality - mutually helpful to each other

- very basic 

We need each other - to send the devil back. The devil brings doubt, criticism and loneliness. Work on developing friendships of the heart. Be vulnerable. Be courageous.

Term One 2025 - TTPA Conference - "Navigating New Horizons - people, place, environment"

Kia ora

As I reflect back on the term, we have had so many new opportunities as kaiako and for our tamariki.  Highlights have certainly been the recent professional learning opportunities. Most recently is the Te Tai Tokerau Principal Conference "Navigating new Horizons - People, Place, Environment".  Discussions on the use of AI in schools.  Encouraging the opportunity to teach our tamariki to not be "consumers" of digital technology, but rather to think critically about what is online, how we use it and whether it is correct.  AI is certainly progressing at a rapid pace, but our real need in the world is peace, kindness and care.  If we took action to help others in need if we are able to, we would be in a beautiful place.

Inspirational speakers such as our MC Pio Terei, Arnika Macphail, Dan Te Whenua Walker, Vince Ford, Jemarl Paerata and Dave Letele.

Te Mataiaho has rolled out for our kaiako to use in our classrooms, alongside structured literacy and structured maths.  Our staff are brave and trying so many new things in the classrooms and I am so proud of the progress we are making in all aspects.

At the end of the day, we are committed to our students and providing an environment which is rich in faith, learning and opportunities.  It is a privilege.

Nga mihi nui

Kathryn Carey

Tornadoes, power cuts and more....but the best art unveiling ever!

 Kia Ora Koutou!

What a heading to start off term 1 2023, but this is just what we have been navigating as a kura.  Delays and interuptions due to the weather patterns.  Our poor kura received damage to our walkway roof areas, our garden shed doors were ripped off and our playground shadesail had torn.  Thankfully no-one has been hurt and we keep all whanau in our prayers as they navigate through the damage, slips and power cuts with this weather pattern.

Anyhow, we are back in to the term with loads of fabulous learning going on.

The highlight has to be our whanau breakfast for our local curriculum artwork.

The stories and richness behind this mural makes my heart warm.  A summary as follows:

He waka eke noa - we are all in this together. We began early in the morning and gathered for our art unveiling prior to the sun rise. A massive thanks to our staff, tamariki, whanau, parish, board and community for supporting this project. Sylvie Currin our artist that designed and co-ordinated the stunning student art, Father Larry for karakia and blessing, and Bill Pomare for his mihi and board representation. We are so proud of this mahi. A summary of the art:

Part 1: Bishop Pompallier and his journey to Aotearoa NZ and sharing our Catholic Faith with the first Mass being held at Totara Point.

The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Mass and communion with the bread and wine.

Part 2: Catherine McAuley and the establishment of our Mercy charism school in 1958 with the key elements of sharing a cup of tea, walking in Jesus shoes and showing aroha to all.

Part 3: Aotearoa NZ with Motuti, and koru patterns. Kaitaia with the mountains, fish, ocean and links to plentiful kai. The Southern Cross stars.

Mary sitting proudly with Jesus.

At the top is our Mercy cross with the five main iwi within it.

So many rich elements to this piece of art.

Thank you for this special journey where we gathered such rich historical facts about how we were formed as a Catholic School and parish.

After the blessing our staff pulled together a delicious breakfast for us to finish our celebration together.

Very blessed

Tight rope

Kia ora koutou

We have made it through to the end of term three!!  I am so proud of our staff and students.  Amongst ongoing illness and absenteeism, limited relievers, we have done it!  Our students continue to give me warm fluffies.

The highlight was Tai Media visiting our kura to promote school attendance.  We are sitting as one of the highest levels of attendance with average rates of 90-95% each day.  In this link you can hear what our tamariki say about school.  They simply love it, see the importance of learning and appreciate their interactions with us as a whanau together.  Whakawhanaungatanga in action!  It made me so happy to hear them speak without any prompting, it was simply from their hearts!

Check it out https://fb.watch/fED1OFe5b3.

Within the term we had cross country with many of our tamariki reaching the finals as top ten runners.  Again, a great chance to mix with other schools in Te Hiku.  Congratulations to them all.

Go and see the newsletter for snippets of our seniors sharing their local curriculum learning with their musuem feature too.

We are looking forward to refuelling our tanks this term break.  The heading of my spiel is tight rope.  The kura functions so well and relies on everyone covering each other in times of need.  When the rope is slack, we have resources and energy.  When the rope is tight, everyone is drawn to their maximum.  Yet again it is a village approach that makes such gains.  I thank our staff, students and you our whanau for the ongoing support.

Nga mihi nui

Kathryn Carey