Western Heights Weekly News

Principal's Page

Kia Ora Friends - Our Warmest Greetings

Every now and again, you will see articles coming out that express great concern for how many of our young people have no respect, make bad choices, and need heavy-handed, hard-line, punitive discipline.

 

What most of the article writers don't realise is that this has been a feeling that has been written about since the invention of writing. An example found inscribed in an ancient Egyptian tomb reads, "We live in a decaying age. Young people no longer respect their parents. They are rude and impatient. They frequently inhabit taverns and have no self-control." 

 

As you may know, at Western Heights, we don't do stickers and certificates for "good" behaviour. We also don't do detentions, give out lines or mark demerit points on a whiteboard for "not good" behaviour.

 

Our approach is 'Restorative Practice.'

 

Relationships – the Key to Guiding Behaviour at WHS

At Western Heights, we are a whānau. Strong relationships sit at the heart of everything we do. Sometimes choices or actions damage those bonds. When that happens, our goal is to repair and restore relationships so that everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.

 

Our Approach

We take a restorative, not punitive, approach to behaviour. This means:

  • Everyone is responsible for their choices, actions, attitudes, and the outcomes that follow.
  • If harm is caused, our first responsibility is to make it right.
  • Those affected are part of the decision about how to restore safety and trust.
  • Teachers and leaders guide and support this process.

 

A restorative approach helps children learn to:

  • Be honest about their behaviour without fear of punishment.
  • Be accountable to those they’ve hurt.
  • Find ways to repair harm and move forward.

 

Why This Matters

A healthy community depends on strong connections. When everyone feels safe, respected, and that they belong, learning and relationships flourish. A ‘just’ school is one where:

  • Victims are heard, validated, and supported.
  • Wrongdoers are given a chance to take responsibility and make amends.
  • The wider community works together to prevent harm from happening again.

 

Restorative practice shapes our everyday language, the way we teach, the values we promote, and the feel of our school.

 

Relationships in Action

At WHS, relationships are nurtured in practical ways:

  • Teachers open classrooms from 8:30 am to connect with children before the day begins.
  • Staff share their stories and contact details on our website, so parents and whānau know them personally.
  • We live out our mission, “At WHS We Love to Learn to Lead,” in our daily practices.
  • Our value “Pay It Forward” inspires children to show care and make a difference for others.
  • Our Bucket Filler philosophy helps children understand kindness and empathy in action.
  • We teach empathy as “seeing with another’s eyes, hearing with another’s ears, and feeling with another’s heart.”

 

Our Guiding Principle

Kia mahi tahi tātou i te whakatipuranga a ō tātou ake tamariki tonu – 

We work as one to nurture each child as our own.

 

At Western Heights, Relationships are the foundation of how we teach, how we lead, and how our children grow.

 

Our success as a teaching and learning community is down to our outstanding people and the outstanding relationships they build and nurture every day.

 

They are a very serious bunch, as our 2025 staff photo shows.

Please Support Teacher Helen Rollo and the Cancer Society this Daffodil Day:

Daffodil Day – Friday 29 August

Wear Yellow – Rm 15 and Rm 4 Whānau Time

 

This year, in honour of Daffodil Day 2025, we will be holding a special collection in support of our much-loved teacher, Helen Rollo, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.

 

Helen is bravely facing her personal health battle and is fundraising for unfunded immunotherapy to complement her current chemotherapy treatment.

Donations can be made to the class teacher, or at the school office for the coin trail, or directly via the Givealittle page.

 

Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/helens-fight-for-more-time

 

We will make a coin trail in the office area and gratefully accept both notes or coins for this. Cash for this can be donated at any time from now until the end of the month.

All funds collected through the school will be deposited into Helen’s Givealittle page, and we’ll share the total raised with our school community.

 

Please note that Helen will be on sick leave throughout Term 3. We send her all our love and strength during this time.

Let’s show our support by wearing yellow on Friday, 29 August and coming together as a community to make a difference.

 

In addition to this, Western Heights will also make a contribution to the Cancer Society.

We have Daffodils to pin on clothing at the office for a gold coin donation to the Cancer Society, also.

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.