Principal's Page

Kia Ora Whānau - Thanks Family:

Whānau or Family is a word bandied around a lot. I talk about it a lot, and so I sometimes worry a little, when I hear it used so much, that its importance might be watered down a bit from all that use. 

For me though this is what everything comes back to. Family is the cornerstone of society. It is the 'bedrock' that we stand on and the foundation we launch from, as we move out into the world and try to do our bit to make a difference.

My grandad used to say, "you do for family, never forget that boy." And, as with most things, he was right. 

My grandad didn't get much time at school. As soon as he was old enough he left and became a Sales Rep for 'Cadbury Schweppes Hudson'. Though I never got to see any chocolate, he did usually have a supply of boiled lollies at hand, so I counted myself very lucky whenever he came to visit. 

Around harvest time was when we saw him most. My dad and I would often do 36 hour shifts to get the crops harvested while the mositure level in the seed was ideal. Grandad would often join us through those long, hot nights. While I waited my turn to drive the truck alongside the harvester to have the grain unloaded into it - while dad kept harvesting - grandad and I would sit with our backs up against the grain silo, and watch the Southern Lights dance across the blackened skies, and he would share his wisdom, in short, pithy and memorable bursts.

The one about family has stayed with me through my whole life. It sums up what I try to achieve for every family I have the honour and privilege to become a part of.

So to be able to call Western Heights my family means a lot. It also requires a lot. I have to try to live up to my grandad's words, and "do for family."

Eight years on with this family, there is still so much I want to achieve and do, but I am incredibly fortunate and blessed that the family I have here lives by that same motto.

Everybody here "does for family", and for that I thank them so sincerely.

I thank you, our parent community, for entrusting your family to ours - the greatest trust any human being can show.

It has been a very tough year for so many of our families - parents, wider community and staff, but we are still here, and we are hoping for better times to come.

I do sincerely hope and trust you can enjoy time together as a family this Christmas holidays. I hope you get to see relatives, relax, and indulge at least a little.

Take care every one of you - especially on the roads. We are really looking forward to a reset in 2022 and making it a brilliant and memorable year for all, for all the right reasons.

My very best regards to you all as always,

Ash Maindonald

Principal.