Kia ora koutou parents, caregivers and students,
This week has been a mix of challenge and celebration. Although we reached a threshold with our staff high absence and a fluid move into rostering Year 9 and Year 10 students to home learning, we have managed to keep school events in play.
This week we have showcased our Performing Arts with our Year 9 and Year 10 Dance and Music Showcase evening events. Our Kapa Haka group went to Takapuna Primary School and Albany Senior High School yesterday to perform for Matariki. Yesterday and today we hosted our Year 6 Experience Days for Coatesville, Ridgeview, Greenhithe and Albany Schools. Next Tuesday, we host Upper Harbour School for our final AJHS experience. What a delight to meet these Year 6 students and accompanying teachers, and introduce them to the wonders of teaching and learning at AJHS.
Please note that we have our formal Open and Option Evening event on Tuesday 2 August 4pm-7:30pm. This is the perfect time to come and explore what we offer as a ‘school of opportunities for the emerging adolescent’ over our 4 year programme for our Year 7- Year 10 students. We would love to talk with you to ensure you are as informed and supported for your child’s learning as much as possible. The pandemic has certainly challenged us all, and our aim is to keep building our partnership with our school community continually.
In response to consultation with our Alumni (past students), we are reintroducing a style of testing conditions this year for our Year 10 students. This will teach our students the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to sit formal exams in their secondary school pathway. Year 10 students will be specifically taught to prepare study notes, engage in different methods of studying to see what works best for them, learn about exam questions, and terminology, and practise sitting assessments under exam conditions with guidance. Any students with specific learning needs will be given relevant support.
Thank you to all our Year 9 and Year 10 students for your support during this time while you are rostered to home learning. We miss you at school, but are better positioned for teaching and learning in this online format while so many teachers are absent from school.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you for your ongoing support, and have an enjoyable weekend.
Take care whanau.
Cushla Shepherd, Tumuaki (Principal), Albany Junior High School
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