Foreword
Tēnā koutou katoa (Greetings to all)
Ko te take o tenei kaupapa i whakaūkia i runga i ngā wawata kia tū tangata te ākonga, kiatupu hei ākonga mātau, hei ākonga pakari, hei ākonga whakawhitiwhiti kōrero i roto i te ao hurihuri, e whai oranga ai tōna hinengaro, tōna tinana, tōna wairua, me tōna pūmau hoki ki tōna tuakiri, ki tōna tūrangawaewae.
(Translation: The purpose of this proposal is founded on the aspiration to develop successful learners, who will grow as competent and confident learners, effective communicators in the changing world, healthy of mind, body and soul and secure in their identity, and sense of belonging.)
My new intention:
The Mairehau High School Board continues to be supportive of my sabbatical leave. At our 28 May Board meeting, the Board advised that they would support a refocus of my original sabbatical plan.
I no longer wish to travel overseas because of the current worldwide COVID-19 Pandemic. The professional learning I intend to conduct during my sabbatical comprises of visiting other Secondary schools, research study, and refreshment
I will take the advice of our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and travel the roads of Aotearoa. I plan to take a three to four-week road tour of Aotearoa via campervan to visit North and South Island Schools.
To complete a study towards a Google Level 2 training Certificate.
Kei nga tauira o te kura tuarua o Mairehau, ngā pūkenga, ngā mōhiotanga hoki e whai wāhi atu ai ia ki te hāpai i te ao whānui. (Translation: Students of Mairehau High School will have the skills and knowledge to participate in and contribute to society and the wider world.)
Mairehau High School is a smaller community co-educational high school serving north east Christchurch. It provides a full academic programme, additional specialist support for students with learning needs and for physically disabled students, and opportunities for students to participate in a range of sporting, cultural & service activities. The school’s philosophy emphasises teaching students how to learn and to relate to others. The school encourages students to be independent, life-long learners, to respect others, and to always reach their potential.
Clear expectations of student behaviour are embodied in ‘The Mairehau Way’, the school’s values system which enhances the partnership between learning and well-being. A coherent system of expectations and support structures underlines the choices and consequences ethos which keeps all students safe, focused and productive during their school day.
Teachers are expected to continually examine their professional practice, and to add new teaching techniques and strategies to their knowledge, in order to meet the learning needs of all students. This is supported by a comprehensive in-house teacher professional development programme which places students at the centre of the school’s efforts.
The school is a co-education high school established in 1961 to serve the north east sector of Christchurch. The school’s name, Mairehau, is that of the district named for the daughter of Marshland’s landowner and benefactor, Arthur Gravenor Rhodes.
Mairehau is a shrub prized for the fragrance of its flowers, the fragrance of the mist maiden.
The motto, ‘Mairetia i te matauranga’ means ‘be fragrant with wisdom’.
The crest outline is a symbolic canoe prow denoting hallowed ground. In its upper part is a symbolic Mairehau flower and the mere of leadership below it. The scrolls symbolise a continuing heritage and the white line the living soul of people. The school colours are red, white, and black as these were the only colours available to craftsmen.
Significant features of Mairehau High School are:
A culture of innovation based on collaboration and mutual support among staff
Academic Dean with responsibility for promoting achievement
An emphasis on pastoral care and close personal contact with students’ families, including Making Positive Choices programme (Implementing PB4L in 2019)
An emphasis on professional development through Teacher Learning Sessions
An emphasis on school improvement through a focus on student presence, engagement and achievement
An explicit focus on raising student achievement
Deans responsible for pastoral care and academic achievement of a year group
Gifted and Talented programme
He Kākano School to raise student achievement
Our shared decision making structure, involving and co-ordinating the work of staff and Board of Trustees
Pasifika Talanoa School
Restorative practices
Senior School Dean with responsibility for pastoral care and academic achievement of Years 12/13
Specialist Classroom Teacher
Education Review Office (ERO)
The school’s commitment to providing effective strategic leadership and 21st century vision and facilities is evident in Mairehau High School’s Education Review Office (ERO) confirmed report 27 September 2017.
Confirming its highly skilled teaching staff and supportive pastoral systems, the ERO report acknowledges the school’s welcoming and inclusive school climate, the quality of school leadership, and the consistently high levels of student engagement with and success at learning.
Other points highlighted in the complimentary ERO report include the quality of teaching, the strength and quality of self- review and improvement processes in the school, and the belief that all these successes and practices are fully sustainable as the school moves toward the future. Mairehau High School espouses the values of self and mutual respect and encourages excellence in all endeavours.
The school provides genuine opportunities for its students to excel academically, in leadership, in community service, in sporting activity or in the arts, and is hugely influential within the Mairehau High School community.
The school has a caring and nurturing environment with outstanding staff. Mairehau High School believes in self and mutual respect and doing one’s best. It is the role of schools to provide opportunities and have confident students willing and able to undertake new challenges.
