Principal’s Message

Kia ora Parents and Whanau,

As Term 1 draws to a close, we can reflect back on a successful period of growth and achievement for our students. We have observed progress in their academic pursuits (looking forward to sharing this progress with you next term, please see details below) but equally as important we have seen them grow as young adolescents. The Northcross Intermediate school programme is designed not only to foster intellectual growth but also to nurture their social and emotional wellbeing. This term, through a number of programmes, we have been able to focus on building resilience, encouraging collaboration and promoting self-discovery, ensuring our students are equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this extremely important part of their lives.

Year 8 Camp

Our Year 8’s recently completed the Northcross camping programme. We observed our students rise to the challenge of learning in an environment very different to school and home. Team work, resilience, collaboration and taking on challenges outside individual comfort zones were witnessed while at camp. Congratulations to all attendees. A huge thank you to all the staff and parent volunteers who made this experience possible!

Year 7 Challenger Series: Stepping Up to the Challenge!

The Year 7 Challenger Series has been a highlight of the term, assisting students to explore new areas of learning and embrace challenges with enthusiasm. From visiting Tiri Tiri Matangi, helping them understand the significance and importance of our school logo and motto, ‘Lighting the Path to Success’; to the enriching opportunity of visiting a local marae where they were immersed in the culture gaining invaluable insights into Maori traditions, language and a communal way of life. Our Year 7s have demonstrated awareness and a willingness to learn. We are proud of their dedication and efforts.

An acknowledgment of our very enthusiastic Environment Group. The Environment Team has been making significant strides in continuing to foster environmental awareness and action within school. The students have been busy in the school nursery, nurturing a variety of plants for future planting and learning valuable horticultural skills. Their hard work is contributing to a greener and more vibrant school environment. Furthermore, they have been delving into the world of soil science, understanding the vital role soil plays in our ecosystem, ultimately ensuring steady growth in our gardens. The group has also taken on the important task of pest trapping in the bush area below the school, actively contributing to the preservation of our local biodiversity. A huge thank you to Kel Hartell for overseeing this valuable student programme.

Our students have embarked on their Project Based Learning Journey this term, delving into the history and ecological significance of the Waikato River (Year 8’s at Finlay Park camp). Through hands on research such as water testing and other collaborative activities they are gaining a deeper understanding of this vital waterway and its connection to both our environment and history.

Simultaneously our year 7 students are exploring the unique culture of Northcross Intermediate, fostering a sense of belonging and community. These two learning strands are empowering our students to develop critical thinking skills, cultural awareness and a strong sense of place. These are a great example of how we encourage, real world learning.

We are proud of their personal achievements and growth this term and looking forward to continuing this learning journey in term 2.

Term 2 Dates: