Senior School Update Following the disruption of 2020 with a few longer COVID-19 lockdowns, we had all hoped for a smooth and ‘normal’ start to 2021. This lasted until Week 3 of the term, when we were suddenly confronted by a mercifully short three-day lockdown. Thankfully, due to the adaptability of our teachers and students the impact of this was minimised. However, having this the week before camp, considering the amount of planning that goes into the week, is never ideal. Nevertheless, Camp Week went ahead, and what a week it is. Every year, our students have the opportunity to challenge themselves in a variety of environments at venues as far apart as Taupo Bay in Northland, down to Dunedin in Otago. Each year level tries to offer a different focus for the camps and as students move through the school, they can experience some of the amazing activities and challenges that Aotearoa New Zealand has on offer while forming new friendships and seeing each other and staff in a different light. Kristin is one of a reducing number of schools that offer camps across nearly all year levels and is an integral part of the Kristin experience. A second lockdown ‘bookending’ Camp Week highlighted this and the importance of the relationships and interactions between students and staff, as many students found this three-day lockdown harder than the previous one.
determination to succeed and the value of a Kristin education. This is, in turn, reflected in a strong student roll with both the Senior School and the whole school being at the highest, I believe, it has ever been. In Term 2 we enjoyed the Senior School Production of Blood Brothers, an incredible extravaganza allowing students to demonstrate their passion and aptitude for performing as actors, singers, dancers and musicians. Kristin’s Performing Arts productions are well known for their professionalism and Blood Brothers only reinforced this.
“Despite the disruptions, 2020 was the most successful at Kristin in terms of academic results since 2016.”
The first few weeks of the year are also a time when we recognise and celebrate the achievements of students from the end of the previous year, both academically and in other fields. Despite the disruptions and time away from school, 2020 was the most successful at Kristin, in terms of academic results, since 2016.
Gazing forward, we all hope for a continued smooth year where our students can continue to participate in winter sports and all the other opportunities that make the Kristin experience special.
If challenges do await us, we also know that we are in a position to deal with these and continue to offer an outstanding education that prepares our students for the future.
A total of 98% of our students left Kristin last year with Level 2 or equivalent as their highest qualification and this includes IB students, as they are not considered to have achieved Level 2 or 3 equivalence without the diploma. On top of this, 90.8% achieved Level 3 or equivalent and 90.2% achieved UE, only 0.3% behind 2016, which is our best year so far. These results reflect the hard work and adaptability of students and teachers in an uncertain time - highlighting the value of the relationships between students and teachers, each group’s
David Boardman S E N I O R S C H O O L P R I N C I PA L
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