Week 5 Term 3: Totara House - Sharing our House Values (August 19 - August 23)

Totara House 2024

 In Term 2, Totara House discussed and shared the House values for 2024. Our House values for 2024 is Discipline, Commitment and Passion. I documented this in an earlier post which you can find here: 

Alby's Blog Post Entry - (12/05/24)

DISCIPLINE: the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

In Week 8 of Term 2 we had a house assembly and we discussed our House value of 'Discipline'. At this assembly we spoke about the importance of discipline and how it needs to be reflected in our attendance. "Regular school attendance is a predictor of success. We want to celebrate those who have shown discipline in coming to school and in maintaining successful attendance this term." (Totara House Assembly Week 8 Term 2). Regular school attendance ensures success as students are present and will learn and achieve in their learning. We encourage regular school attendance because we believe that this is stepping stone for students to achieve, the more they are at school the more they are likely to achieve. 

COMMITMENT: the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

In Week 2 of Term 3, at our most recent house assembly we discussed our House value of 'Commitment'. We are at the point in the year where credit count, finishing internal assessments and preparing for external assessments is in full over drive. For this assembly our Totara House leaders shared what commitment means to them and offered some advice and encouragement to their peers on how they can apply this value in their life in school and outside of school. Here are some highlights from the house leaders sharing during our whanau time in Week 2 of Term 3. 

Totara House Leader 2024 - Feao

Feao shared "Commitment is finishing something that you started. It is about finishing assessments and coming to school early. How I have shown commitment is by going to church. Two years ago I did not really like going to church but I knew it was a must. So I dealt with it by by committing myself to it by going going to church. I love it now because I have prioritized it. What I have learnt from this is that if you don't stay committed to the stuff that you started it will come back at you, such as if you don't finish your assessments, it will stress you out." 

Totara House Leader 2024 - Stephney

Stephney shared "I have shown commitment by making sure that I come to school no matter the circumstances. It has taught me that I can push through any challenge. My final word of encouragement to my Totara family is from the word - so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God - this is from 1st Corinthians chapter 10 verse 31." 

Totara House Leader 2024 - Daliz

Daliz shared "What commitment means to me is to be dedicated to my role. My one life goal is to give back to my family and to be able to get to that point, I need the ability to self discipline myself and commit myself. An example of commitment that I have shown is through my attendance. My attendance last year was at 60% and this year it is at 92%. What is motivating me right now is graduating and I know that I need to be at school everyday and do my work in order to graduation. Motivation is an important part with commitment. What motivates you? My word of encouragement to my house is to make the most of the time that we have now at school, we have come so far and we have achieved so much so let's continue to support each other and end the year on a high note. Proverbs 16 verse 3 says commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans and His plans will be established." 

I believe that young people's voices matter and using their voice in a positive way is just as important. I always push my leadership team to use the platform - their leadership - to share as much as they can as I know that they have a reach and a pull over their peers that is meaningful and powerful. I look forward to exploring our final House value this term - passion - in Week 6 of Term 3.