Dear Parents and Whanau
Thank you to our parents and caregivers who attended last week’s parent/teacher/student interviews. We trust you found the process beneficial and have a clear understanding where your child is academically and the next steps of learning. We also acknowledge and thank whanau for taking the time to visit our open afternoons to view the Project Based Learning assignments created by students. I hope you also found these visits informative, providing an overview of our students learning around Leadership?
You will be aware the National Government has introduced a policy requiring all schools to dedicate one hour each day to literacy and numeracy. While we at Northcross believe these skills are crucial for our students’ success, we also want to emphasise the continued importance of the holistic education offered by Intermediate schools.
We believe strong literacy and numeracy skills are the foundation for all learning, offering robust programmes long before the current government initiative. We know they equip our students with the tools they need to thrive in every aspect of their learning journey and future careers.
However, we must not lose sight of the unique role intermediate schools play in New Zealand’s education system. Intermediate schools bridge the gap between primary and secondary education, providing a broad and enriching curriculum that fosters a love of learning across a wide range of subjects. This includes not just literacy and numeracy, but also the arts, health/wellbeing, sciences, social sciences, technology, and physical education. This holistic approach is essential for nurturing well-rounded young individuals who are curious, creative, and critical thinkers.
Our Beacon/Ramaroa highlights the many achievements of our students both regionally, Nationally and Internationally. Congratulations and best of luck to Isobel Carmichael, Jason Hao, Alan Li, Jonathan Xu, Alex Xiao, Vincent Xu, Andy Yang and Yigu Ye. These students make up our Future Problem Solving (FPS) Team, who travel to Indiana, USA, on June 2nd, competing in the World FPS Championships. Our students won the right to compete in 2024 after winning the National Championships last year. As Northcross Intermediate is the current International FPS champions, there is a little bit of pressure on our Year 8 and 9 students heading over this year! A huge thank you to Mrs Glenis Martin, team coach and Christina England, chaperone, for their organisation and preparation of this team.
A very warm welcome to our new Deputy Principal Diana Wilkes who joins us from Evaluation Associates where she was involved with School Improvements, Digital Design and Professional Learning.
Previously Diana was foundation Principal at Matua Ngaru School.
We look forward to her working alongside us on our team.
As part of our Health Curriculum, students in Year 7 will take part in lessons about the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. At Northcross, we offer a parent and child evening that covers content addressed in classrooms. Our educator is Anna Sanford from ‘Hello Puberty’. Anna is a registered nurse, who has worked as an Adolescent Public Health Nurse for Waitemata District Health Board.
The Puberty Information evenings will be held on Wednesday, 5th June and Thursday, 6th June
Time: 6-7pm, in the PAC (Performing Arts Centre).
Please attend only one evening session. Each student attending MUST be accompanied by an adult (no younger family members please – their turn will come). This is for Year 7 students, although any Year 8 student who missed out on the pubertal change evening last year is welcome to attend with an adult. This programme is very much part of our curriculum and I know how much our community appreciates this important health message.
We understand that you, as parents and caregivers, entrust us with the education and development of your children. We are committed to providing them with the best possible learning experience, one that equips them with the essential skills they need while also fostering their intellectual curiosity and creativity.
Ngā mihi nui
Jonathon
Principal, Northcross Intermediate
