Principal's Page
Kia Ora Friends -
It's a little ironic that the weather over the Christmas holidays was very unsummer-like, and now in late March it is magnificent - it's just that we are back at work and less able to enjoy it.
I was in Christchurch for a couple of weeks supporting Nana Rose - my mum-in-law - through the last stages of her cancer treatment. It went well, and she is all clear, which is great news. The weather, though, was not so great. We had the log fire going every day except Christmas Day!
Loving the weather brings me to something else I love - this opportunity (it's much more than a job). I have shared some of these thoughts before, but they bear repeating. I regard myself as one of the truly lucky, fortunate and blessed people alive today. I get to support, encourage, learn alongside and learn from the most amazing children and staff you could ever hope to know. They bring joy, even on the toughest days, and they also bring hope that we are making a difference in our community now, and in our country and world in the future.
I am also filled with joy and pride when I regularly catch up with ex-students. Seeing the way those boys and girls who left us at the end of year six have gone on to become learners and leaders, achievers and believers, is just an amazing feeling.
Huge kudos, thanks and admiration to all our staff here who do their best to bring out the best in each tino taonga -precious one - and to our parents who trust us and support us in this. Love to Learn to Lead is our Mission, and it takes us all to bring it about.
We expand that to We Love to Learn, so we can Learn to Lead, so we can Lead with Love. As we look at what is happening in the world today, we see a lot of so-called leadership that seems to be more about 'what's in it for me, or what is in it for the voters who support me?' Leadership is never easy. It is always a juggling/balancing act where you try to do what is the most right, and in the best interests of the most people. That is how I lead, but I am the first to admit I do and will get it wrong in the eyes of some or even many, more times than I would like.
Nevertheless, the way I lead is with Learning and Love top of mind, and I will continue to do so for as long as I have support.
Thank you to everyone for the part you play in helping our team and me in this journey.
Thoughts on Unexpected Forms of Generosity:
Being early can be a form of generosity.
You wait, so they don't have to.
Leaving something unsaid can be a form of generosity.
You don't always need the last word.
Delivering your work on time can be a form of generosity.
You make life easier for everyone downstream.
Not taking things personally can be a form of generosity.
You give people the space to say things imperfectly.
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.
