Principal’s News, 13 December 2019

Teenaa koutou e te whanau o te Kura A Rohe o Whaingaroa

Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga

It is with much sadness and heartfelt feelings that we heard about and responded to the deaths last week of two of our former students; Ryan Larkin and Reece Jesson in separate events. We send our sincerest wishes of aroha and support to the whanau and to all of Ryan and Reece’s friends. Along with the entire Raglan community, we also extend our support to the families of Cameron Brydon and Finn Laboyrie as they recover from injuries that they sustained in a car accident.

End of Year 2019 Prize Giving Events

We have held four end of year assemblies (Years 0-6, 7-10, 11-13 and Te Roopuu Aroha ki te Reo) to celebrate the learning of all of our students and to congratulate those who have achieved highly in different subject areas and in the use of our school values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga and Poutama. These were great celebrations of learning in a bicultural environment, and I want to acknowledge and thank all of our teaching staff and the kaiāwhina for all of their efforts throughout the year.

End of Year 2019 Student Achievement Reports

These have all been completed and mailed home. We invite you to email us principal@raglanarea.school.nz or to contact us in the new year if you wish to discuss any of the outcomes that have been shared with you about your child’s learning in this second half of the year.

Leaving Staff Members 2019

We say farewell to the following teachers who are leaving us; Ariana Wakefield (Te Roopuu Aroha ki te Reo), Betty Diprose (Guidance Counsellor), Kylie Hollis (Te Roopuu Aroha ki te Reo) and Celia Risbridger (Years 0-3). These four teachers have been acknowledged and farewelled in their respective school prize givings and in our end of year staff gathering. We extend sincerest best wishes to each of them in their future endeavours.We also held a special assembly to honour Whaea Celia as she has retired from teaching and has spent her entire teaching career at Raglan Area School. She exemplifies our school values in all that she does and will always be a treasured taonga in our kura.

School Starting Dates 2020

The school office will be open on Tuesday 27th January 2019 and senior staff will be available if you wish to make contact with them during this week. In the following week, ALL STUDENTS are expected to be at school for the first day of the school year which is Wednesday 5 February 2020. School will be closed on Thursday 6 February as our entire nation celebrates Waitangi Day. We will resume school on Friday 7th February with our first full week beginning on Monday 10th February 2020.

Classroom Lists for 2020

Please note that the class lists for 2020 will not be published until late January – but definitely before the start of the school year. However, if you have particular concerns that you would like to discuss with regards to the placement of your child in 2020 please email us via principal@raglanarea.school.nz.

Teaching Staff 2020

We are able to confirm who our teachers are for 2020. They are as follows:

Senior Leadership Team

• Louisa Barham (Principal)
• Quenten Browne (Deputy Principal)
• Aroha Hohepa (Deputy Principal)

Leader of Learning: Student Support Schoolwide

• Naomi Tovio

Te Roopuu Aroha Ki Te Reo Kaiako

• Leader of Learning: Jeanette McDonnell-Rata
• Juanita Isa (new to Raglan Area School)
• Kahurangi Whitiora
• Chanel Ruawai

Years 0-3 Teachers

• Leader of Learning: Hilary Elliot
• Liz McCauley (1)
• Alison Hewitt (NE)
• Kim Geros (NE)
• Stephanie de Besten (2)
• Annike Fries (2&3)
• Emily Meleshenko (2&3)
• Amy Haswell (2&3)
• Rebecca Hishon (Reading Recovery)

Years 4-6 Teachers

• Leader of Learning: Ann Ruxton
• Sheree Gibson (4&5)
• Nick Wilson (4&5 new to Raglan Area School)
• Jason Engledoe (5&6)
• Arna-Rose Solomon-Banks (5&6 returning teacher)

Years 7-10 Teachers

• Leader of Learning: Gwyn Brodie
• Liam Coulden-Lavers (7&8)
• Jonathan Rickard (7&8)
• Jason Wairepo (7&8)
• Michelle Satchell (7&8 new to Raglan Area School)
• Joseph Rao (9&10)
• Ariana Millward (9&10)
• Te Whaiwhaia Ritchie (9&10)

Years 11-13 Teachers

• Leader of Learning: Pauline Sweetman (Gateway, Correspondence)
• Chanel Ruawai (Te Reo Maori)
• Dave O’Loughlin (English)
• Sandra Jonas (Maths)
• Hans Guersen (Health and PE)
• Cindy Tedeschi (Social Sciences and English)
• Lee Copson (Science, Physics)
• Angela Prain (Science, Biology, Horticulture)
• Rita Anjali (Maths, Chemistry)
• Celeste (Music)
• Ruth Hare (Drama)
• Kerry Arlidge (Visual Arts – returning teacher)
• Glenn Rangitonga (Materials Technology)
• Stevie Gardiner (Food Technology and Hospitality)
• Deane Hishon (Surfing Academy and Graphics)
• Larry Fisher (Surfing Academy)

Students’ Stationery 2020

This will again be purchased by teachers at the beginning of the year and costs included in invoices that will be sent home for you to pay in February.

Education Review Office

The Education Review Office conducted an external review in our school in October to look at how we work towards positive learning outcomes – knowledge, skills, attitude and habits – for our students. It is a testament to the efforts of all staff and students that Raglan Area School has received some very positive feedback about our strengths and clear direction for the improvements that we need to focus on. Overall, our school remains on track in aspiring to excellence in all that we do. The final written report will be shared with our community once we receive it and will be a key resource in guiding our strategic planning and day to day practices in 2020.

One of the steps forward that we are making in 2020 include returning to a 3pm end to the school day, and furthering our commitment to the STEAM subjects as future focused learning programmes. As a smaller secondary school provider, this involves focusing on providing teaching programmes and staff who are qualified, capable and passionate to deliver Science, Maths, English, Technology and the Arts. For example, for the first time next year, we will be offering NCEA Music as an on-site course instead of this being available only by correspondence. We also have two Maths teachers, two English teachers and two Science teachers in our 2020 teaching team. Te Reo Maaori and Health and PE programmes remain as key elements to the holistic education that we want to provide.

“Celebrating Education in a Bicultural Environment”.

Our school mission statement reminds us that in partnership with our families, we are responsible for ensuring that we genuinely do our best to give all of our students the chance to experience success. The latest resources, buildings, furniture and ICT equipment help – but a positive, respectful, inclusive, and determined attitude by people who genuinely care is contagious. Great learning can and does happen because of a genuine desire by the teachers, strengthened in their efforts by the amazing support staff in learning, administration and property care to offer our students the best experiences to cater for their needs.

Whanau Support

Sincere thanks go out to all of our parents, caregivers, and extended whanau members who have served on the Board of Trustees and PTA. We also thank all of our volunteers who have supported Co Curriculum endeavours in our kura this year. We are grateful for your ongoing support, sheer hard work and commitment to our school’s operation. Our school values of Manaakitanga, Whakawhanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga and Poutama are alive and active in your efforts.

On behalf of the entire staff in our kura, my hope is that all of our families will have a joyous Christmas, a festive New Year and well-earned holidays among family and friends. Good Luck and God Bless you all.

Ngaa mihi nui
Louisa Barham
Principal / Tumuaki