1. Consultations

This week, we are launching our consultation on uniform to ensure the school is acting on the new guidelines from NZ Human Rights. Parents, students and teachers are asked to provide their feedback via the survey before 9 am on Monday, July 4th.

Throughout Term 2, we have been seeking feedback on our Healthcare and Behaviour Management Policies. You can provide this feedback by following these instructions:

1. Visit the website https://twizel.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
2. Enter the username (twizel) and password (twizelarea).
3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
4. Read the policy.
5. Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
6. Select the reviewer type.
7. Enter your name (optional).
8. Submit your ratings and comments.

2. Buildings and Fencing

Over the last school holidays, testing on mould in the current school building was undertaken. There were no concerns raised in the results of this testing, but we have received advice to ‘encapsulate’ the current mould outside the staff room in order to stop it from progressing. This work will soon be undertaken by a specialist.

The Ministry of Education’s Special Education team have undertaken a fencing/security review at the school in relation to students with special needs and maintaining their Health and Safety. The Ministry of Education has determined the need for significant fencing at the perimeter of the grounds and to secure internal courtyards and internal/external doorways. This work is likely to commence later this year.

3. Huxley Lodge

The Board will be visiting the Huxley Lodge site in early July. The unsafe building on the site is soon to be demolished. At the same time, necessary maintenance of the site and other buildings will be undertaken. The Board will soon provide feedback to the community on the new building/structure proposed for the site. Plans were made to have Camps at Huxley lodge earlier this year, but they, unfortunately, were covid casualties. Ideally, Camps would be able to go ahead at the Huxley lodge site either later this year, or in early 2023.

4. NCEA Progress

The Board would like to congratulate both the staff and students on their progress towards NCEA qualifications so far this year. It has been a very challenging year for all involved. The staff report that attendance at school is the key to ensuring success and access to the required standards/credits. This week, the Board have received the Ministry of Education’s new Attendance and Engagement Strategy and would encourage you to read it, whether your child is in their NCEA years or below. The Board has received a report from Mr Potter showing the following encouraging results breakdowns:

NCEA Level 1

NCEA Level 2

NCEA Level 3

The vast majority of NCEA assessments are being passed, to a much greater extent than the national results from 2021. However, the depth of knowledge required to meet the criteria for Merit and Excellence is being impacted by the consistency of attendance, given the interruptions and illness in Term 1. We wish our NCEA students well for the remainder of 2022, kia kaha!

The Board expects reports on Middle and Primary achievement following the Parent Conferences and Reports.