Kia ora e te whanau,
It is the end of term two and just over the halfway point for our senior students in their journey towards NCEA achievement for 2021. Some key indicators that will signal to you as parents and caregivers if your child is on track to achieve this year is dependent on their course and whether it is portfolio based or more internally or externally weighted. In general, your child should be sitting on at least 40 credits at this stage in the year and have an attendance rate of over 85%. If you are concerned that your child is falling behind these key parameters, please get in touch with their year level learning tutor to co-construct a plan going forward. We are here to help. One of the strongest predictors of high academic achievement is linked with student’s motivation to doing their best as opposed to doing just enough. These different approaches to learning are firmly embedded in the NCEA system. They are the difference between going for just an Achieved, versus aiming for Merit and Excellence when they are capable. This means spending their study time after school wisely. A key learning ethic requires self-discipline and the drive to know that doing just enough is viewed as under performance. There will be those of you reading this now that will be thinking but what if doing your best is just not enough? What about those with special learning needs, disorders, and other difficulties? What about those from low socio-economic backgrounds or those that lack financial and parental support? These are tough propositions but in the words of Winston Churchill, “you must do what is required.” One of our challenges as parents and as a school is focussed on improving our best, sometimes called “raising the bar.” If we never expect our children to attempt more than they currently can do, while giving them certainty, it will not lead to them fulfilling their potential. Now is not the time, in their most important years at school, to take a back seat and let your child decide when they will be bothered to attend school or complete homework. They are still children and need our guidance to “raise the bar.” We have seen many examples of students raising the bar this week and last nights Eisteddfod concert was a culmination of individuals, teams and families working hard together to perform at their very best. I would like to thank our Eisteddfod co-ordinator, Mrs Laura Thomas and our Arts co-ordinator, Mrs Stephanie Matheson especially, for their tireless leadership of this event that takes many weeks of planning. My sincere thanks also goes out to Ms Prue Scorgie who was recognised last night for her many years of service to the Eisteddfod. Have a restful and happy holiday break. Tara Quinney Principal
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