I have now been Principal at Manakau School for 3 years and 3 terms, in fact I have now been a Principal for 3 years and 3 terms. It has been an interesting experience to say the least. Most of the time I love it.  I love the variety, I love the things that the children come out with, their perception of the world, their unique-niss. I love the excitement that is conveyed when our children learn a new skill, or achieve one of their goals. I love the dynamic environment that is created when our children come together from our diverse families. I particularly enjoy the opportunities I get to teach. 

Over the past 2 terms I have had to closely reflect on my role in supporting your children to be their personal best.  Diversity is an interesting challenge.  

“Humans see what they want to see.”   ― Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief

This quote resonated with me.  Sometimes finding middle ground or reaching a shared understanding is impossible.   It isn’t because one party has decided they just don’t want to…it is, as the quote states, “Humans see what they want to see” and I’d add “hear what they want to hear”.  The role of a school is to provide an environment for diversity, to create a safe space that allows children to be their best.  To face adversity, to challenge perceptions, to build resilience and to learn to work together…whatever we see or hear.  This is the power of schools as I see it, and it’s a challenge.

I don’t write these words lightly.  I have thought about my role in supporting a school that allows for this ‘niss’ in all of us, children and parents, staff, our wider community and myself.   When we gathered recently for the Music Extravaganza, we saw our diversity…for some of our children the challenge was to learn to play an instrument, for others it was to stand on stage in front of their peers and families, and for others it was to sit for an extended period of time while being dive bombed by an angry bee.   Diversity is what makes us human, and it’s a challenge!

As we head into our term break and then into Term 4, I ask that you celebrate diversity…in your children, in the families you connect to, and in others.

Happy holidays 

Together Each Achieves More

Deb