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Head of Junior School Report
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Head’s Report
2020 was a challenging year for many due to COVID-19 and everyone had to make adjustments to their daily lives that we never could have imagined. Parents, grandparents and even brothers and sisters all became co-teachers; creative lessons moved into living rooms, kitchens, trampoline tops and even boats, all around Auckland, where I could only watch in awe from my own living-room-zoomscreen, at the ingenious and inspiring learning that was happening. These uncertain times have brought challenges for everyone, but they also brought us gifts – we had the opportunity to pause, take a deep breath and to reflect on what is really important in our lives. Lockdown allowed the girls to spend time at home with the people that care for them most, and it enabled them to become more independent and resilient in their learning too, which became hugely evident on their return to school.
Although the year seemed to be put ‘on hold’ a couple of times, it still brought about some outstanding achievement from our girls. Many of our Year 5 and 6s participated in the Australian ICAS assessments, and our girls continue to achieve to a high level with some girls scoring top results in both Science and Maths in Australasia. We were also lucky enough to be able to maintain many of our school Chapel services, assemblies, trips, exchanges with King’s School and camps (even during lockdown!). Although our sporting calendar was not as full as usual in 2020, it didn’t stop some of our talented athletes successfully competing in regional and national competitions in an array of sports. Girls also enjoyed the joys of joining some of our new lunchtime clubs in Dance and Drama, and our ever-popular Jump Jam team performed like never before at the National Jump Jam competition. However, what I found most heart-warming and refreshing in 2020 was seeing the wonderful sportsmanship in action; during our Sports days, in the classroom environment and even in the playground. Having a competitive streak is always important when wanting to accomplish something well, but being able to have that streak whilst being encouraging and supportive of those around you, is an added quality that I’ve witnessed over and over again within our Junior School… there’s nothing quite like seeing the joy in the faces of the girls when they see their friends succeed. Our ‘little people’ of the school have had to be more resilient than they probably realised in 2020 … and have certainly taught us some qualities of kindness, patience, sportsmanship, and being respectful of others.
For me, a focus on Wellbeing and mental health has never been more important in education. While I have the highest aspirations for all of our girls academically, nothing compares with the importance of protecting and promoting their current and future Wellbeing. ‘By Love Serve’ continues to be at the centre of all we do, and by focussing on Wellbeing, Leadership and a feeling of safety when taking on challenges in their learning, I think we will ensure that all of our girls are in a position to benefit from a world class holistic offering.
I feel grateful to be the custodian of our Junior School, a true gem within the St Cuthbert’s Whānau. I am immeasurably proud of the Junior School team and the way in which they have moved mountains during recent months and have done so with grace and kindness. I also appreciate our parent body for their unshakeable confidence and faith in our ethos, our values, and our hopes and dreams for the girls in the Junior School.
2020 certainly was an extraordinary year, and I am thrilled that we were able to celebrate all of the girls in our final assembly by awarding each one of them a very special P&F ‘StCuth’s@ home badge’, which I’m sure they will treasure and reflect on for years to come. I hope every individual can look back on 2020 with a sense of pride in what they have achieved this year, in the classroom and the Zoom-room, and know that their radiant spirit has risen above all adversity – the Junior School girls are all super stars in our eyes.
