News & Events

As Term 2 comes to a close, I would like to provide you with an update on what we have been up to.

Recruitment for the new Executive Principal has started

A reminder of the criteria for the role:

• An experienced principal
• Executive leadership experience
• Registered teacher or able to be registered in New Zealand
• Deaf Education experience
• Specialist Education experience
• Conversational Sign language (minimum)

• At the next Executive Principal Committee meeting, the Committee will decide which candidates they wish to invite for interviews.
• Appointing a leader for one of New Zealand’s largest education providers and a specialist residential school is a significant undertaking. Identifying someone with the right knowledge, experience, and skill set presents a challenge, but it is one that the Committee is actively addressing.
• We will continue to keep you informed of progress via updates on our website.

Staffing

At the beginning of this term, we unfortunately learned of the passing of our Head of Outreach Services, Lynne Guy. Lynne had been involved in Deaf education for 30 years, firstly as a teacher and moving through various leadership roles. Her knowledge, passion and dedication to several generations of Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students, as well as her willingness to mentor Teachers of the Deaf, was outstanding. Her warmth and dedication meant so much to so many families. She’ll be deeply missed.

I am extremely grateful that Stephanie Sullivan has agreed to continue in the Acting Head of Outreach Services role while we prepare to advertise for a permanent Head of Outreach School.

Meeting with the Minister

We continue to meet regularly with the Ministry, and Denise and I were able to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the Minister this term. It was great to have conversations with the Minister around the current situation of the school, the future of the school as well as the future leadership of the school.

NZSL for Teachers Professional Learning and Development

James Townshend is leading the NZSL/ Deaf Bilingual/ Bicultural Professional Learning for teachers’ contract which has been made possible by a significant funding boost from the Ministry of Education.

This is a significant area of growth for our staff, which will have a direct and positive impact on ākonga in all areas of our school, and I look forward to reporting progress as this initiative expands. I want to thank James and the team involved in this project.

The Ministry appointed Commissioner role

The role of the Commissioner and the Ministry’s intervention is regularly reviewed to ensure that meaningful progress is being made toward the ultimate goal of returning the school to self-governance. The next scheduled review will begin in Term 3.

These reviews provide the Ministry of Education with valuable insights into the internal operations of the school, the perspectives of our parents and whānau, and the wider community context. They also help assess any potential risks associated with transitioning back to self-governance.

It is important to note that misinformation or negative perceptions circulating in the community can influence the outcome of these reviews. To help ensure accurate understanding, we encourage you to use the appropriate communication channels to contact the school leadership directly if you have any questions or would like to clarify or confirm any information.

• Whānau and community - whanaufeedback@kotakureo.school.nz
• Staff only - korero@kotakureo.schoool.nz

Term 2 whānau newsletter

By the time you see this message, our Term 2 whānau newsletter will be out. Please look out for this and take a moment to look over it, and join us in celebrating our students' achievements.

I wish all students, whanau and our staff team a relaxing break during the upcoming school holidays.

Ngā mihi nui,
Mike Rondel
Commissioner