KŌRERO FROM MEL
Kia ora e te whānau,
As the days get shorter and colder, and life is getting busier with sports and arts or cultural experiences, it’s easier for us all to get tired, frustrated and find it harder to meet the expectations we have placed on us. At RJHS, we have our CLOAK values, and our SOAR expectations. In an organisation of this size, and with a mandate to ensure learning is rigorous and high quality, our classrooms need to be orderly and focused, and students need to feel safe at break times. I recently found this post online, and appreciated the way it was worded to address why we do what we do, and how we can work together to get the best outcomes for our students.
This may be a little uncomfortable, but it comes from a place of care.
From time to time, things go wrong at school. And while we always take student perspectives seriously, it’s also true that not every situation places your child on the receiving end.
Sometimes they’ve had a chat when it wasn’t the right moment, tested a boundary, or made a choice that didn’t quite hit the mark. That doesn’t make them “bad”, it makes them human (and very much still learning).
What matters most is what happens next. When every correction turns into a courtroom defence, when every consequence becomes a negotiation, when every boundary feels up for debate…children begin to take away some unintended lessons.
They may start to believe that accountability is flexible, that expectations are optional, or that discomfort is something to be avoided rather than learned from.
In reality, teachers don’t set boundaries for enjoyment...far from it. It takes time, energy, and care. But those boundaries are what allow classrooms to function, learning to happen, and students to feel safe and supported.
The goal is not punishment; it’s preparation. Because one day, your child will encounter deadlines, expectations, and responsibilities beyond the classroom and there won’t always be a follow-up email home.
We’re on the same team, working toward the same outcome, helping your child grow into a capable, respectful, and resilient young person.
With respect and a touch of humour,
A teacher who is very much on your child’s side.
