Kia ora and welcome to the Kaiapoi High School newsletter
A new school year always brings a sense of excitement, fresh opportunities, and the chance to build on the successes of the past. Whether you are returning to Kaiapoi High School or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of our school community.
This newsletter (newsfeed) will be a key way for us to share important updates, celebrate student achievements, and keep you informed about what’s happening at school. I will be posting a ‘Principal’s Message’ at the end of each month, but I encourage you to check this page regularly for updates from our staff and students. From academic milestones to sporting triumphs and cultural events, there’s always something to celebrate at Kaiapoi High School.
As always, the start of the school year has been a busy one, with new students and staff settling in, timetables being finalised, and courses getting underway. It’s been fantastic to see the school buzzing with enthusiasm, and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.
A Positive Start to the Year
I want to extend my thanks to our whānau and students for a fantastic start to 2025. Phones are away, uniforms are being worn with pride, and classrooms are full of energy. We set high expectations for our students, and while we occasionally need to give reminders, we do so in a way that maintains positive relationships, provides clear guidance, and keeps learning momentum strong.
By the end of this week, every student’s tutor teacher will have made contact with home to introduce themselves (if they haven’t done so already). If you have any questions or concerns, tutors are your first point of contact.
Celebrating Academic Success
At our first full-school assembly last Monday, we celebrated the outstanding achievements of last year’s NCEA students. We were incredibly proud to acknowledge:
- Year 11 students, who achieved 24% above the national average at Level 1.
- Year 12 students, who achieved 13% above the national average at Level 2.
- Literacy and Numeracy success, with achievement rates across all year levels exceeding national averages (literacy 7–8% above, numeracy 4–7% above).
- Our Māori students, who achieved 27% above the national average at Level 1 and 24% above at Level 2, surpassing our already impressive whole-school averages.
- Our Pasifika students at Levels 1 and 2, who not only achieved an outstanding 49% and 35% above national averages but also earned a phenomenal 100% pass rate!
These results are a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the ongoing support from whānau. While we are incredibly proud of these achievements, we remain focused on continuous improvement—raising the bar even higher for 2025.
Full disclosure – While our Level 1 pass rates are outstanding, we are awaiting further data on participation rates. Currently, the national average includes schools that are not offering NCEA Level 1 in 2024, which may artificially inflate our comparative results. As more information is released, we will provide updates to ensure a clear and accurate picture of our achievements.
Understanding NCEA and Literacy/Numeracy Changes
For those wanting to learn more about NCEA and the new Literacy and Numeracy corequisites, we invite you to attend our upcoming information evenings:
- 18 March – Focus on Literacy and Numeracy corequisites
- 27 March – Focus on NCEA changes
We’ll also be publishing articles here soon, outlining our approach to supporting student success in these areas.
Engagement Beyond the Classroom
Last year, we celebrated record participation in sports and itinerant music lessons. We’re committed to building on that success, and sign-ups for 2025 are already well underway.
We encourage whānau to have conversations with their young people about their involvement in extracurricular activities. If sport or music isn’t their passion, there are plenty of other opportunities to explore, including:
- Leadership roles
- Community service initiatives
- Cultural groups
- Break-time clubs (languages, performing arts, gaming, special interest groups, and more)
A Holistic Approach to Success
Ultimately, our goal is to support students in making positive choices that contribute to their personal and academic success. Achieving well in school, forming strong social connections, staying active, exploring interests, and contributing to the wider community all play a part in creating fulfilling, balanced lives.
We look forward to another year of celebrating our students’ successes—both in and out of the classroom.
Ngā mihi,
Jason Reid
Principal, Kaiapoi High School
