Principal's Weekly Message

11th December 2020

Kia Ora Whanau

The penultimate week! We are very near the completion of our school year and plans are well underway for our prizegiving assemblies next week. Reports are being finalised and will be handed out after the Formal Prize Giving on Tuesday. The start time for the Tech Awards assembly on Monday is 9.00am. For the Formal Prize Giving it is 12:15pm and school finishes at 12.00pm next Wednesday. All whanau are welcome to attend and celebrate with us.

My second year as Principal of your school, has certainly been a different and somewhat challenging one. Due to the circumstances beyond anyone's control with the Covid-19 pandemic, we had a very different looking year. Full time online learning, major calendar events cancelled or postponed and last minute changes to our weekly structures. It all added to a feeling of uncertainty and worry to whanau, staff and students. What was inspirational throughout the entire year was the resiliency and positive outlook of our students. There is no doubt they would have had their worrying moments but they kept the school vibrant, friendly and caring each and every day. I would like to thank all whanau for your help with this. We made sure we focussed on wellbeing when we returned from lockdown, which had a positive effect on how the students could then gain momentum for the remainder of the year. But whanau help with wellbeing certainly enhanced this focus.

At a time where we celebrate our achievements and successes as a school, we also farewell those who are moving elsewhere. Miss Shannon Dunn is relocating to Wellington and will teach at Evans Bay Intermediate. Mr Ben Singsam will be teaching at Apanui School next year and Whaea Rosey Kara will be taking a year’s leave after securing a study scholarship for 2021. Mrs Jean Hawea is also leaving to pursue other opportunities for her career. Our long serving caretaker, Mr Kevin Carberry is also moving to a new position for 2021. We would like to thank all these highly valued staff for their contribution to our school and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours. Looking forward to 2021, it is exciting to know that we are fully staffed within our classrooms and have a very healthy school roll to begin the year. Mrs Nikki Miller-Robson and Miss Samantha Byrne will be joining our teaching staff and we look forward to their value added contributions to our school. Mr Tony Anderson is looking to join the Kaiawhina Team in Syndicate A and we will be announcing our new school caretaker in mid-January.

 Whakatane Intermediate remains a fantastic school and I have thoroughly enjoyed the year despite its challenges. A huge thank you to the staff, students and our whanau for their part in making our school the vibrant, engaging and exciting place that it is. I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I trust the holidays will be enjoyable, spent with friends and whanau and of course safe.

Nga Mihi, Mike Webster