Important information and dates for the second half of Term 3 

Kia ora koutou

We are halfway through a very busy term, and the next five weeks will be full and fun. This newsletter highlights some recent events and looks ahead to some key dates.

Student and whānau school improvement surveys
Last week at assembly I launched a survey inviting feedback from students. There are two questions in the student survey:
1. What do you think is really good about Northcote College for you?
2. What would you want to change about Northcote College to make it better for you?
I have promised to read every response and to tell students what we learned from their responses and what we will do.

We are also interested in gathering whānau feedback, and so I invite you to also answer this quick snapshot survey. I look forward to your responses.

We welcome feedback and encourage you to be in touch at any time if you have any issues or concerns. Please contact me principal@northcote.school.nz or your child’s Dean at any time.

ERO report
We have our latest ERO (Education Review Office) report published here on our website.  The reviewers commented on our strengths and priorities:
The school can draw from the following strengths to support their goal to evaluate the impact of culturally responsive practices:
● school leaders demonstrate and model a relentless focus on continuously improving a schoolwide culturally responsive approach
● the school has high levels of professional capability and collective capacity to achieve their strategic priorities and emerging kaupapa. This is well supported by ongoing professional learning and knowledge building
● a schoolwide culture that promotes staff willingness and understanding of strategic priorities is established
● connections with mana whenua and local iwi are established and collaboration to enrich opportunities for the school community and improve outcomes for ākonga are underway.

Moving forward, the school will prioritise:
● updating strategic planning priorities to align with the school’s commitment to enacting Te Tiriti o Waitangi and guide future decision making
● continuing to resource professional learning and knowledge building for staff related to this kaupapa.

Kāhui Ako Update
Last term we hosted the Northcote Kāhui Ako Conference with its theme of Engaging all Learners; He whakamanawa i ā tātou akonga kia wana ake ai. It was a hugely successful day with colleagues from different schools participating in high quality professional learning. We were featured in the latest Education Gazette; here is a link to the article  Attached is the latest Kāhui Ako newsletter.

Course selection 2024
Planning is well underway for next year. This week, deans, form teachers and subject teachers will be explaining the process of course selection 2024 to students in Years 9-12. You will also be emailed the information and links to resources to help you have conversations with your child to support them choosing their courses for next year.

Phones in school
You will have seen in the media much discussion about phones in schools. In our Code of Expected Behaviour, we have the following expectation: A mobile phone is a device designed for communication and quick reference and it is expected that in the classroom, mobile phones will be turned off/on silent and be kept out of sight – unless specific permission has been given by the teacher.

Daffodil Day: Friday 25 August
We have our annual fundraising non-uniform day for Daffodil Day on Friday 25 August. Students are encouraged to wear yellow and to donate generously. With your support, every dollar raised for Daffodil Day will go towards cancer care for patients and their whānau, education and awareness programmes, and life-saving cancer research. Students may bring cash to give to their period 1 teacher, or you may donate straight to our Daffodil Day NC fundraising page.

Tournament Week: Monday 28 August - Friday 1 September
Next week we have a number of sports teams competing in the Secondary Schools Winter Tournament Week. We wish all the competitors well and would like to express our gratitude to the coaches, managers and parents for their support not just for the upcoming tournament, but throughout the season.

Flexible Learning Day: 31 August and Mid-term Break: Friday 1 September
As per the year calendar, there is a Flexible Learning Day on Thursday 31 August when timetabled classes will not run. Teachers will be available to students between 9am and 10am and again between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. The rest of the time teachers will be engaged in professional learning activities. Students who choose to attend school may work independently in the school library.
The school will be closed on Friday 1 September for Mid-term Break.

Tonga Language Week (Week 8) and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Week 9)
We look forward to celebrating these special weeks.

Senior Exams: Thursday 7 - Friday 15 September
Senior students have their school exams from Thursday 7th to Friday 15th September. The exam schedule is also attached to this email for your reference.

Limited car parking
With the number of contractors working on our exciting building project, there is limited parking on Kauri Glen Road. There is parking on side streets. Please do not park in ‘restricted’ parks.

Kindo
Some of you will have used Kindo to pay school costs at other local schools. Northcote College is planning to implement Kindo in Term 4. A key benefit to parents is the ease of payment and improved tracking of your payments. More to come on this.

Covid restrictions removed
Mandatory isolation is no-longer required for those with Covid-19 in Aotearoa NZ. However our school policy of staying home if we are unwell with any cough, cold, flu or other illness remains. Please continue to support us to keep everyone at school as healthy and well as possible.

Fraudulent Activities
At the August Board of Trustees meeting, there was discussion about recent fraudulent activities involving school emails, names and provider accounts. While no financial loss to the school has occurred, it has highlighted the need to be vigilant in all financial matters. Please be aware of scams and misuse of information when dealing with your own accounts, purchases, and identity.

Looking ahead to Term 4
Some key dates for Term 4:
● Term 4 begins: 9 October
● Sports and Group photos (postponed from Term 2): 12 October
● Labour Day: 23 October - school closed
● Sports Prizegiving: 26 October
● Last day for seniors: 1 November
● Senior Prizegiving: 2 November
● Ministry of Education Teacher only Day: 17 November

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school.

Ngā manaakitanga

Vicki Barrie
Tumuaki | Principal

21 August 2023

Attachments:
Senior Exam Timetable 7-15 September 2023
Kāhui Ako August Newsletter