Tēnā koutou katoa,
As we reach the conclusion of Term 3, we reflect on what is traditionally the most academically intensive period of the school year. Alongside the demands of senior assessments, practice examinations, and key learning milestones across all year levels, our school community has had to navigate a severe wave of winter sickness that has impacted homes and schools across Aotearoa. Reaching the end of this term in good heart is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of our ākonga. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our teachers and support staff, who have worked tirelessly to keep learning on track through staffing shortages and illness, and to our students for their grit and focus during a demanding term. With the sun staying out later and the temperature rising, it is fair to hope that the near future is looking positive.
While we earned outstanding results in 2025 with pass rates continuing to outstrip national averages significantly, for 2027 we set new challenges as a school to improve the quality of our results. We have spent this year directly challenging our students to stop settling for a pass being enough, and to live up to the academic potential we know they are capable of. The results have been outstanding with a summary of our internal results shown below. With the bulk of our internal programme now complete, we are looking at a combined improvement in Merit and Excellence proportions of over 50% – an immense 10 percentage point improvement over our average performance. I couldn’t be prouder of our senior students and the talented staff who are helping them to reach their potential.
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| Excellence | 19.22% | 17.76% | 18.32% | 25.79% |
| Merit | 20.26% | 23.51% | 23.27% | 25.8% |
| Achieved | 45.54% | 41.24% | 43.57% | 39.02% |
| Not Achieved | 14.98% | 17.49% | 14.84% | 9.39% |
While we have much to celebrate in the progress made across our learning spaces, I also need to address a concerning trend that has emerged over recent weeks – one I believe needs a reset over the term break. We have heard a noticeable spike in poor language across the school, including instances where grossly disrespectful language has been directed toward our staff with increasing frequency.
Respectful communication is a core tenet of The Waiheke Way and a core principle of our community, and it will be critical for students as they step into adult life. While we address this consistently at school and work hard to curb this behaviour, it will come as no surprise that we are pushing against a wider tide where negative language is normalised relentlessly through social media, music, movies and, consequently, among friend groups. I would greatly appreciate support from all whānau in having a clear conversation with students around standards of communication at school, so that our expectations are echoed between home and school.
School is a public space and, like any workplace or public environment, it requires a foundation of mutual courtesy, dignity, and respect. For Waiheke High School to remain a safe, positive, and productive environment for all learners and staff, disrespectful or offensive language cannot and will not be tolerated. Together, we can help students understand what fundamentally constitutes acceptable language in public settings.
As we head into the upcoming break, I ask all parents and caregivers to take time to speak with their children about how they communicate with others and the standard of language expected of them in public spaces. Our partnership with whānau is vital, and with your support at home, we can ensure a positive and respectful reset as we enter Term 4. I hope that every student and staff member enjoys a well-deserved, restful, and healthy break over the coming fortnight. Thank you all for your ongoing support of our school community.
Ngā mihi mahana,
Cameron Flude
