Perception vs Reality: The theft of a Reputation.

I cannot help but ruminate on the irony of my current circumstances. I sit each day, at my computer and craft a PhD thesis that explores the challenges of bi-cultural leadership pedagogies in AoetaroaNewZealand and yet I have been removed from my school. I fought and won wrongful dismissal, but was not reinstated. In fact, the individuals who exited me continue to manage my school, and sadly to rewrite history and my part in the history of that great school. It will make a great post-doctoral study.

I wanted to share here with you my Principal’s address at Prizegiving in 2010. What we must all understand is we cannot re-write history, we can only subvert it. The truth is, I was a fine principal and I made a difference in the lives I touched. I am proud of that!

Rangiora High School Prizegiving 2010

E ngā iwi,                                           Greeting to the tribes

E ngā reo,                                           Greeting to the language

E ngā hui hui nga tāngata,                   Greeting to the people at this meeting

Tēnā Koutou,                                      Greetings to all

E mihi ana ki te whānau o te Kura Tuarua Rangiora,

Greetings to the family that is Rangiora High School.

Tēnā Koutou

Tēnā Koutou

ki a koutou ngā rangatahi ma

Greetings to you the students

He tau tino whakahirahira tēnei

This has been a great year

Kua tū-tukitia e tatou te taumata teitei 

We have achieved great things

Whākaia mai māku i wahi atu ki a koutou 

Let me share them with you

Ngā mihi nui, Ngā mihi nui,

Tēnā Koutou, Tēnā Koutou,

Kia Ora Koutou Katoa.

  Good evening students of Years 11 and 12, parents and caregivers, members of the Rangiora High School Board of Trustees, the Rt. Honourable Clayton Crosgrove, the Rt, Honourable Kate Wilkinson, Waimakariri District Council Mayor David Ayers, and Marilyn Ayers, invited guests, staff, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Senior Prize-giving is always a wonderful celebration of the achievements of the best and the brightest Rangiora High School has to offer. You will know our best and the brightest well because it is you, who have nurtured them, cherished them and raised them to be the outstanding young men and woman they are. We know that you are very proud of them and all that they have achieved as students at Rangiora High School. As a school, as a staff, as individual teachers we are privileged to be - in some small way - a part of these wonderful students’ success. 

Teaching is one of the best professions in the world, we get to work with talented young people each and every day, to help them set their goals, chase their dreams and realise their ambitions. Unlike parenting however teaching’s biggest advantage is that we get to send them home at the end of the day.

Teaching is all about helping to shape the minds of our nations’ youth? In 1836 Mark Hopkins, one of America’s most notable educationalist wrote:

We are to regard the mind not as a piece of iron to be laid upon the anvil and hammered into any shape, nor as a block of marble in which we are to find the statute by removing the rubbish, nor as a receptacle into which knowledge may be poured; but as a flame that is to be fed, as an active being that must be strengthened to think and feel – to dare, to do, and to suffer.

Teaching is not just a job, not just an occupation, not just a profession. It is so much more than that - it is, in fact, a vocation never to be confused with a vacation.

Can you imagine working every day in an environment dedicated to creating the future, helping to prepare the next generation of teachers, inventors, entrepreneurs, teachers, lawyers, doctors, captains of industry, teachers, nurses, plumbers, engineers, teachers, police officers, fire fighters, teachers – the list is endless and the challenge is extraordinary!   

  Rangiora High School is a dynamic educational environment that provides quality educational opportunities for all of our students. we ensure that they can and will develop and flourish as unique individuals. Over the past six years we have undertaken a deliberate and strategic approach to building leadership capacity in our school. Through a cohesive and planned professional development programme for staff and the provision of leadership pathways for students, measurable improvements to teacher best practice and student achievement have been achieved. And so, this evening let me share with you, what as a school, we are most proud of in 2010.

  Our roll continues to grow and when we returned to school in January 2010 the number of students had reached just over 1700. We accepted nearly 50 enrolments in the first two weeks of February, over and above those who had confirmed their enrolment in 2009. Our local community’s support of its local school is underpinned by our commitment to raising student achievement, creating a positive and safe learning environment and our no-nonsense approach to pastoral support and discipline. Our students do well because that is what you expect of them – they do well because that is what we expect of them.

  With our constant focus on improving the school’s facilities we were fortunate to complete the $2.1 million-dollar structural re-strengthening and refurbishing of B, C and D Blocks in May of this year. It is ironic that we used to joke about how great it would be if there was a huge earthquake and the building would fall down so we could build new ones in their place. How naive we were to assume that here in sleepy North Canterbury we were immune to such a horrific possibility. 

  In hind sight, how lucky we were to complete that multi-million-dollar project and move into those buildings in May. How lucky we are as a school and as a community to have, in the main, recovered so quickly after such a devastating natural disaster. As a school our thoughts and our sympathy go out to those families that have been affected to a greater degree by the September earthquake.

  Our students continue to focus on those less fortunate than themselves and have contributed to fundraising activities, regularly giving back to the North Canterbury community both in time and in money. We continue to raise substantial amounts for the Foundation for the Blind, Child Cancer, the Fred Hollows Foundation, the Coast Guard, the local Food-bank, the Christchurch Neonatal Unit and the Children’s Christmas appeal.  Students also donated $1000 to the Mayoral earthquake in October. The Principal’s Cup for Service and the House Cup for Inter-House Competition will be awarded at Graduation this year as the points competition does not conclude until next week. Believe me it is tight!  

  Through these worthwhile activities our students are strengthened to think and to feel and I am often humbled when I see such positive and selfless leadership, when I see what our students can and do achieve for others. 

  There is no doubt that our society needs positive and selfless leadership now and in the future. As we move forward in the 21st century the challenge for us as a school is to ensure that opportunities are provided for all students to realise their true potential and achieve not only academically but socially, culturally and in sport. Rangiora High School defines student achievement in these very broad terms as it seeks to develop the whole child. 

  2010 has been an exciting year for curriculum development. Our aim this year was to ensure that every student who graduates from Rangiora High School is equipped with the skills and competencies that underpin our new national curriculum.

It is interesting to note that in 2010 the top 100 companies in New Zealand ranked the following attributes as the most important for all prospective employees:

   * the ability to be creative and to problem solve

• the independence to take appropriate risks
• to confidence to show initiative
• the initiative to be self-motivated
• the ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a team
• the confidence to communicate effectively in oral, written and IT formats
• and to be able to demonstrate strong professional and personal ethics

We want this for all of our students and therefore our focus in 2010 has been on the National Curriculum’s key competencies; competencies that will ensure that our students are prepared in these areas and are not merely pieces of iron that have been laid upon an anvil and hammered into any shape.  

  We have focussed not only on curriculum design but on teacher best practice and pedagogy. I am very proud of the fact that we are recognised both nationally and internationally as an innovative and leading edge institution. We currently lead two significant Ministry of Education projects supporting Learning Network Clusters in North Canterbury focussing on the transition from Year 8 into Year 9. As Principal I have been lucky enough to present academic papers at two international conferences this year - one in Singapore and one in Sydney Australia. These papers were picked up internationally because people are genuinely interested in what is happening at Rangiora High School, interested because what is happening here is unique.

  Not only are our academic results improving, our stand-down and suspension rates dropping and our sporting and cultural achievement souring but our professional staff are being recognised as well.

  Of interest to our professional colleagues, both nationally and internationally, is our significant staff movement on promotion, both internally and externally, which has occurred over the past six years. 

  Our staff destination data shows that from 2004 to 2010 Rangiora High School produced 11 Assistant Principals, 4 Deputy Principals, 1 Associate Principal and 1 Principal. (I would like to add one Mayor to these statistics – but that might be seen as a bit of as liberty). These statistics are exceptional for a state secondary school and should be applauded.

  The essence of what Mark Hopkins was saying way back in 1836 is also what we believe is at the heart of a Rangiora High School education. We do not see any value in hammering our students into shape; rather we see our role is to ignite that flame of possibilities for them. Tonight’s celebration of student achievement and success is proof that for our students the ability to think and feel – to dare - to do - is paramount and that it is obvious for all to see that the fire is burning brightly!

  Tonight’s prize-giving is an opportunity for us all to bask in this group’s reflected glory. These fine young men and woman are the best of the best. Year 11 and Year 12 I wish you well for the challenge of your NCEA External examinations and congratulate you on your internal assessment achievement. We know your results will reflect the investment you have made in your education this year and you will get the results you deserve. 

  In closing I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of some significant leaders in our school. Our:

Head Boy                                           Robert Vincent                      

Head Girl                                           Florence Loader                     

Deputy Head Boy                             Josh Moore

  Deputy Head Girl                             Samantha Keeling

Thank you for your efforts this year. We wish you well for 2011 and beyond.  

  I would also like to thank all our 2010 Student Leaders who have served as House Executive members and in other leadership roles throughout the year. We appreciate your efforts and celebrate your achievements. 

  I would like to express my sincere thanks to our Board of Trustees for their contribution in 2010. To the staff of Rangiora High School; who collectively are a talented, hardworking and collegial group of professionals all of whom undoubtedly underpin our success? 

  In particular, I wish to acknowledge Mrs Pam Bernard who retires this year after 33 years of selfless service. Pam has not only been an exceptional classroom teacher but has held significant positions of responsibility over the years; most recently as Head of Lydiard House. Her contribution to this school is immeasurable and we thank her for that!

  As well I would like to pay tribute to Ms Cynthia Anderson who leaves us to take up a position with NZQA. Cynthia has made a significant contribution to Rangiora High School during the 15 years she has been on our staff. She is recognised nationally as an educator of excellence and will be sorely missed next year. We wish her every success in her new position!

  To all those staff who are leaving us this year, to take up new challenges in 2011, we wish you all the very best and thank you for your contribution to our success. 

  Best wishes to you all for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and festive New Year. We all look forward to seeing you safely back in 2011. 

Kia Kaha, Kia Toa, Kia Manawanui.