20 February 2026

Kia ora koutou

2026 marks the arrival of the Fire Horse, a zodiac sign that appears only once every 60 years. It is associated with independence, the breaking down of old systems, and a drive for change. This feels like a fitting theme for the year ahead—a time to be bold in our thinking and intentional in our actions.

Thank you to those who joined us for our community evenings last week. It was a pleasure to reconnect on Tuesday in a relaxed setting before moving into our classroom programme 'chats' on Wednesday.

Sharing our teaching intentions, assessment fools, and aspirations for 2026 is vital. Our goal was for you to leave with a clear understanding of the day-to-day experiences and a slice of the road ahead, and we appreciate you being here.

Education remains a central topic in the media and our national conversation. At Worser Bay we do not fear change; we have navigated plenty of it in recent years, as many of you have in your own lives. Our focus remains on ensuring that every shift we make is deliberate, well-researched, and serves the best interests of our students.

I have been observing our staff closely over the past couple of weeks. Their "grit" is already evident, but it is important to define what we mean by that. True grit is not about iron willpower or succumbing to pressure; it is a personal choice driven by purpose.

To keep our decisions intentional, we are looking at the year through the lens of Professor Angela Duckworth’s four markers of grit

• Curiosity: "This is interesting."

• Value: "This is important."

• Self-efficacy: "I can do this."

• Agency: "I know what to try next."

When students (and staff) operate from this place of purpose rather than compulsion, the results are far more sustainable.

The term is moving quickly already and it's a short one. Please ensure you are staying up to date about school happenings.

I have a great deal of confidence in what we will achieve during this Year of the Fire Horse. Thank you for your continued partnership.

We can do this!

Ngā mihi nui