Principal News

It has been a great start to the year, with our Year Seven students quickly settling into new routines and our Year 8s showing some great leadership around the school.

Kia ora koutou e te whānau

Thank you to those parents who attended our recent Meet the Teacher evening. For those who were unable to join us, the key message I shared was the importance of mastering basic facts for success in Year 8 mathematics.

The Ministry of Education has raised the expected achievement level for Year 8 maths this year. This means that many students nationally, and likely within our school, are currently below the new standard. National data shows a significant drop in achievement, from 42% to 22% of students meeting the expected level. We anticipate a similar impact on our own results.

The single biggest factor hindering students from reaching the Year 8 maths expectation is a lack of fluency and confidence with times tables. Proficiency in multiplication, division, and fractions relies heavily on instant recall of these foundational facts.

Our timetable at Tahuna is already packed, and we simply don't have enough class time to teach times tables to the level required while covering all other necessary curriculum content. This is where your support at home becomes crucial.

Last week, your child brought home a homework sheet and a basic facts information sheet for parents. I urge you to prioritise basic facts and times tables practice with your child throughout February and March. All teachers have been asked to include this in weekly homework assignments. Please work with your child on the facts they find challenging. Use the memory game provided, explore the online resources we've shared, and incorporate times tables practice into everyday routines – for example, asking them "What is 7 x 8?" before a treat.

By actively engaging in these suggested home learning activities and making times tables practice a regular part of your child's routine, you can make a significant difference in their mathematical progress and confidence.

Ngā mihi,

Simon Clarke