Kia ora Koutou, 

I am immensely excited to start as the new Principal of Waitaha Specialist school this week. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to lead this awesome school. I am looking forward to being part of the school and to be working with you and the Board in our shared endeavours to empower Ākonga and their whanau across this school community and other schools who reach out for support. I have worked within the Specialist Education field for most of my Educational Career. Most recently, I worked at the Ministry of Education as Service Manager for Learning Support in the Mid Canterbury area. My previous experience was within Deaf Education. I worked in varying roles as a Teacher of the Deaf in the preschool, primary satellite, base school and specialist speech-language team. Following this, I stepped into leadership roles as a Regional Coordinator, Head of Early Intervention programmes and Principal.

This new chapter in my career takes me to another corner of Learning Support. I have moved back to the specialist school sector here at Waitaha School with a passion to collaboratively lead and work to achieve positive and inclusive outcomes for Ākonga across the enrolled specialist school base, satellites, transition hub and those enrolled in their local schools. I strongly believe in partnering with whanau, schools and the Ministry in the mahi of supporting Ākonga to grow, thrive and succeed in their school lives and beyond. We can do better together! On a personal note, my husband, Gerard and I have lived in the Selwyn District for 11 years. Our two adult sons and their partners are an important part of our lives. Our son in Christchurch recently got engaged. Exciting times for them! Gerard and I spent a month in the U.K travelling with our other son and his partner earlier this year. They are currently navigating their way back to New Zealand to live after working for four years in London. 

I hope you all managed to have a good break and are feeling refuelled for a busy term 4 that will be full of many celebrations for Ākonga. I am sure that the school team and whanau would have contributed enormously to their achievements. I am looking forward to joining in on events and getting to know staff, students and parents. I am grateful for Maureen’s awhi to me in term 3 as she was moving out of the Principal role. On my numerous visits to Waitaha School last term I was able to meet some of you. It feels good to have some names and faces under my belt already. For those I haven’t met, please don’t hesitate to pop in to say hello. It will take me some time to remember everyones’ names but I will get there hopefully by the end of the term. Is that a fair goal? My goals for term 4 are to build relationships, listen and learn. I plan to be visible across all parts of the school. I look forward to joining the Waitaha School team and working in the spirit of Aroha, Mana and Mahi Tahi to build on past achievements that have been ignited by a strengths based and future focused philosophy. Ngā manaakitanga Bernie