Term One this year saw the teachers and support staff spending two days on a Marae in Rotorua as part of our Professional Development programme.  For some of our staff, especially the new ones, it was the first time they had met the rest of the staff in person.  Being spread across such a large area, this is an important part of our PD programme; meeting the people you work with.

The two days went by in a flash and were spent working on our understanding of the Maori world as well as looking at educational aspects such as the analysis of our NCEA results and ways to improve our levels of service to our students.  Despite the trepidation many felt beforehand, sleeping on the Marae was a positive experience and followed a Rotorua Hangi- cooked in natural steam, rather than in a pit.  The Marae is built on the shores of Lake Rotorua and is very much part of the thermal activity of the area.  Holes for Hangi are not a good idea, hence the steam cooking. 

My thanks to Kerry, the admin team and to Laura and Jan for their planning and leadership during the day.

Richard Winder