Principal's Welcome |
Kia ora koutou katoa,
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Principal of Ōtamarākau School as of Term 3 2023. As someone who has a genuine love for this area and has a deep connection to it, I am excited to be part of this community once again. It is an honour to lead this school and work alongside the awesome staff, beautiful students, and the wider community. One of my main priorities as Principal is to reconnect with the staff, students, and whānau of the school. I believe that building positive relationships is crucial to creating a thriving educational environment. I understand the importance of forming strong connections with whānau and I am committed to working collaboratively with them to ensure the success of our students. It is worth mentioning that I whakapapa to this area, which means that I have a personal and ancestral connection to it. This gives me a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the community's values and traditions. I look forward to strengthening the relationship between our Iwi Ngāti Makino and Ōtamarākau School, creating a localised curriculum ensuring exciting learning opportunities for all students. I have an open-door policy, which means that I am always available to listen, support, and provide guidance to anyone who needs it. I believe that transparency and communication are essential to creating a culture of trust and collaboration. I am excited to bring a wide variety of professional development and experience with me to this role. I am confident that my knowledge and skills will help to enhance the educational experience of our students and support the growth and development of our staff. My family and I are thrilled to be part of this community, and we cannot wait to meet you all and become involved in the school and wider community. I am looking forward to working together to create a positive and successful learning environment for our students. He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai If kindness is sown, then kindness is what you shall receive. Noho ora mai, Aneta Smith |