Tēnā koutou katoa
We are now well into Term 1 and as usual there is plenty happening at Horowhenua College. As a board we look forward to rising to the challenges and opportunities that come our way during the year! A special welcome to all those families and students who are new to the school in 2018. We trust your involvement in Horowhenua College will be both positive and productive. It is a pleasure to serve the school alongside a wonderful team of trustees who bring a depth of governance, educational and financial experience to the board table. Your Board of Trustees representatives are Dylan Kiriona, Nikki Simpson-Tukapua, Garry Good (Deputy Chair), Brooke Antonsen (Student rep), David Tate (Staff Rep), our Tumuaki (Grant Congdon) and myself (Juliana Mansvelt, Chair). As a Board we are responsible for formulating the strategic direction and overall goals of the College and creating the policies which support the academic achievement and the social, cultural and physical wellbeing of our staff and students.
During 2017 we undertook a considerable amount of consultation with our school community in order to develop priorities for a revised school charter. We are so grateful for all the feedback and insights we were given into what is working well (and occasionally less well!) and to learn of your aspirations for the school and its students. At its last meeting the board approved the charter which contains strategic goals for the next five years and which has an annual section outlining the academic goals for 2018. This will be uploaded to the school website in March, and you will be able to read our annual variance report which outlines the extent to which we were able to address our 2017 academic goals.
Much of the time at our last meeting was taken up looking at our 2017 NCEA results. Level 1 and 2 results were the highest the college has had on record, numeracy credits for our students were also at their highest levels yet, and we have had consistently more students achieving merit and/or excellence grades – so there is much to celebrate. In addition seven students received 10 scholarships between them. The board is delighted with these results and they provide strong evidence that Horowhenua College is on track with academic expectations and ensuring progress for its students.
We would also like to acknowledge all the hard work and commitment of our staff and students in attaining these results! As a board we continually seek to lift academic achievement in school and want to ensure all our students are able to learn and make progress. As a consequence we regularly review our own practices, and do analyse the data and information we receive carefully in order to address any areas in need of improvement. It’s great being on this learning journey together!
Ngā mihi
Juliana Mansvelt (BOT Chair)