Kia ora e te whānau o Whangaparāoa,

As we conclude Term 2, I am filled with pride and gratitude for our school's achievements and the vibrant community spirit that defines Whangaparāoa College.  This term has been remarkable, marked by significant events that have brought us together and showcased the talents and dedication of our learners and staff.

One of the highlights of this term was the recent Matariki Festival, a joyous occasion that allowed us to celebrate Matariki (Māori New Year).  The festival was a beautiful reflection of our commitment to honouring and integrating Māori culture into our school life.  It was fantastic for us to be able to host four other secondary schools that performed outstandingly. The festival not only provided a platform for cultural expression but also strengthened our sense of community and belonging.

Another significant event this term was this week's Learner-Led Conferences. These conferences are an integral part of our approach to personalised learning, empowering our learners to take charge of their educational journey.  During the conferences, learners presented their progress, achievements and goals to their parents and teachers.  It was inspiring to witness the confidence and articulation with which our learners discussed their learning paths.  This initiative reinforces our commitment to fostering independent, self-motivated learners who are prepared for the future.

Today we celebrated over 300 learners in our whole school assembly, who have embraced and displayed our school Āhuatanga (values). Our Āhuatanga highlights the way we expect our learners to interact within our community and to receive an award today is a great honour.  Congratulations to all those learners who did.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the 1,300 respondents who participated in our uniform survey. Your feedback is invaluable, and we are in the process of analysing the results. We look forward to sharing the outcomes with the community in Term 3.  Your involvement helps us make informed decisions that reflect the preferences and needs of our learners and their families.

As we look forward to Term 3, our focus will remain on ensuring all learners achieve their academic potential, with a particular focus on the end-of-year exams for seniors, including the literacy and numeracy corequisite external examinations. I encourage all families to stay engaged and participate in our school activities. Your support and involvement are crucial in creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for our learners.

In closing the term, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, enthusiastic learners, and supportive families for making Term 2 such a success.  Let us continue to work together to achieve our shared vision of excellence and inclusiveness at Whangaparāoa College.

Ngātahi, Whakapono, Tutuki

Ngā mihi nui

Steve McCracken
Principal | Tumuaki

July
3                 Learner Led Conferences (LLC's) - School finishes at 1:35pm
4                 Year 9 Winter Formal
5                 Term 2 ends

August
1                  Music Fest Concert
6                 Options Night
15                Enrolment Interview Evening