Principal's Page

Kia Ora Friends - It is Awesome to be Back

To start us back, a quote:

Work becomes great when curiosity drives it beyond obligation.

Creativity. Passion. Love. Empathy. Commitment. Knowing your WHY. These are all drivers that take work beyond obligation. In a nutshell, what makes Western Heights so much more than a really good school is that every person who works here goes beyond obligation in what they do.

None of us is perfect. All of us can do better and be better. But all of us are doing our best each day, and that makes me very proud - and curious to see how much better we all can make this school for our children and our community. 

Nurturing Creativity – Why and How We Assess It at Western Heights

At Western Heights, we believe creativity isn’t just about painting or playing music — it’s about solving problems, thinking outside the box, and imagining new possibilities. 

As the world continues to change, creative thinking is one of the most valuable skills our children can develop. But how do we actually assess creativity in the classroom?

Why Creativity Matters

Creativity empowers children to generate new ideas, adapt to challenges, and express themselves in meaningful ways. It’s linked to better problem-solving, resilience, and even stronger academic outcomes. In short, creativity isn’t extra — it’s essential.

What Does Creative Work Look Like?

Creative thinking shows up in many ways — from building a new structure in a STEAM activity, to writing a cool story, or coming up with an unexpected solution to a maths challenge. 

At Western Heights, we look for signs of creativity like:    

•    Originality – Are they thinking in new and different ways?    

•    Elaboration – Do they add details and develop their ideas?    

•    Flexibility – Can they shift thinking when something doesn’t work?    

•    Collaboration – Are they open to ideas and building on others’ thinking?

How We Support and Assess Creativity

We use real-world tasks, student reflection, and peer feedback to help children see how creativity grows over time. Our goal isn’t to rank creativity — it’s to recognise, celebrate, and encourage it. Teachers provide feedback that focuses on thinking processes rather than just outcomes. This might look like comments such as:

“I noticed how you adapted your plan when your first idea didn’t work — that’s flexible thinking!”

We also give students the chance to assess their own creativity through reflective prompts, helping them grow their confidence and creative courage.

Together, We Grow Creative Thinkers

As a school, we’re committed to giving your children the space and encouragement to explore big ideas, take risks, and express themselves. Creativity is one of the cornerstones of 21st-century learning — and with your support, we can nurture it.

A Lovely Message from Liston College Principal:

Dear Ash,

As mentioned last year, I wanted to write a brief note to say well done to you and Western Heights for the leadership skills apparent in many of the young men that you send our way.

Consistently, we see Western Heights boys at Liston possess an inner security and confidence within themselves to say yes to leadership opportunities and make a positive attempt at it.

Wishing you and your staff a great term 2.

Kia kaha

Steve

As always, if you have questions or concerns about anything school-related, email me at macash@mac.com, and I will get back to you asap.

My very best regards to you all,

Ash Maindonald

Principal.