Alby's Blog: Week 4 Term 4 - End of an era (November 7

END OF AN ERA: When a period of time, which is marked by a significant event, comes to an end, we say it is the end of an era.

From 2018 to 2020 I had the privilege of being the Dean of 110 Year 9 students. It was both a challenging but also rewarding and fulfilling experience to lead and dean this year group. There are so many stories and memories that come to mind when I think of the Class of 2022.

When they first started college in February 2018, there were 88 students sitting in the auditorium. As the year went on your cohort grew to 121 students in total. Year 9 was their foundation year - a time where you tried to settle into school, learn a new routine and meet new people. It was a time period that I remember fondly, they were really compliant and obedient in Year 9. 9KRo, 9KSw, 9PSd, 9RMz, 9TGn and 9TTu - I remember these classes and all of the different moments (both good and bad) that you all went through. I remember how eager and excited they were for the Year 9 STARS Camp, the talent quest (won by 9RMz), helping the elderly at the church across the road, playing badminton with the Asian community for your community project - the list goes on! 2018 was an awesome start for you as a group. They got involved with the school activities and were present in almost all of the school events. We finished 2018 with the whole year group going to Rainbows End, Parakai Pools and the movies as a reward for their good behavior and for finishing their first year at college.

2019 was their promotion to Year 10. They started to test the boundaries (and my patience especially with the boys playing Man Hunt!) I watched the now Year 10 cohort navigate high school and all of the challenges that came along with it. It was a time where personalities, relationships and the dynamic amongst the year group shifted. I remember the numerous pastoral meetings and parent meetings that I had with the students and their families. It was challenging as I spent a lot of my time following up with the students. However I knew that it was important to invest the time into the pastoral care, it was and still is an important of a student's journey at college. For some of the students in Year 10, 2019 was a year where they were offered opportunities to lead. Attending leadership camps to upskill their leadership potential - this was highlight for me as their dean. They finished their junior college years by participating in the NCEA Level 1 Jump Start Program and completing the High Ropes Course. This was your first taste with NCEA and you all took the opportunity to start banking credits in Year 10. A highlight for me was seeing them all take part in the High Ropes Course and to finish with 97% of the cohort achieving 3 Level 2 credits (US). I saw them start to take their learning seriously and I knew that they were eager to start your NCEA journey.

2020 was our final year together as a whole year group. By the end of Term 3, 56% of our year group had already passed NCEA Level 1. Despite the extended lockdown and interruptions to the school routine, they managed to rise above it and achieve NCEA Level 1. 2020 was one of my favorite years with the year group. The novelty around online learning was new and the response from the students was positive. They were invested in their NCEA journey and regardless of where the learning took place, they were very keen to pass NCEA Level 1 Despite all the interruptions with COVID I was and still am incredibly proud of what they were able to achieve as a collective in 2020. By the end of 2020 85% of the cohort had passed NCEA Level 1.

I knew that there was something special about this group when I first met them all in 2018. Although we were not able to finish high school together, I am still grateful for the time that we had together. They have given me a renewed sense of purpose as a teacher and as a dean. I know that I poured a lot of heart into leading this group throughout 2018, 2019 and 2020. It was an absolute privilege to have spent those years with them. Now at the end of their college years, it is truly the end of an era. An era where I have grown through all the challenges and tests that I faced as their Dean. An era where I have used my testimony and story to help guide the students through their own journey. An era where I have used every opportunity especially the assembly session, to speak life to the students. An era where I have learnt so much from the students especially during 2020 - a time where everything was interrupted.

Thank you to the Class of 2022 for bringing so much laughter, headache and joy into my life. Thank you to the Class of 2022 for helping me keep my ‘faith’ alive. Thank you to the Class of 2022 for your patience, your understanding and your resilience during your time at college. Thank you to the Class of 2022 for your loyalty, for your heart and for your trust in me over the years. I pray that GOD will continue to fulfill every hope and dream that you have. I pray that GOD will cover you and your families. I pray that you continue to seek excellence, because you are excellent. Whatever you decide to do, whether it is pursuing tertiary studies or work, please do it with all of your heart. Your heart, your character and your values are your greatest assets.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you Class of 2022.