Tena koutou whanau ma – warm greetings to everyone

Here we are at the end of the year and if you’re like me, you’re wondering where the time has gone.

It has been a full-on year for all involved with the school including, I am sure parents and whanau. There have been major changes in the education sector, particularly in the curriculum, NCEA and legislation, and also changes in how we are to address matters of attendance, reporting to whanau and reporting to the Ministry of education. In all of this our teachers have maintained a focused commitment to the education, health and welfare of their students in loving and Jesus-centered relationships.

There are upcoming changes in staffing at the end of this year, ready for next year’s start. Leaving us at the end of this year is Mr Mahara Pou who has been teaching at the year 7 & 8 level.

Also, as you are all aware, this is my last couple of weeks as Principal of Kaikohe Christian School. To this end I am delighted to announce on behalf of the Board of Trustees that Te Rangi Allen has been appointed as the new Principal, officially taking up the role on January 28^th but in reality already making preparations for the transition.

I have been privileged to be a part of this school for the last twelve years. In this time I have seen both the tremendous growth in the school and at the same time I recognize the beautiful economy of God who has also changed me. To be part of this school is to be part of the body of Christ, and although we are called to different roles in the school, the fundamental truth is that we are all His and as such are brothers and sisters, fellow heirs in His kingdom, understanding that each of us – Board, staff, whanau students and friends are called to love and serve one another ‘as unto the Lord’. This is a uniquely precious gift and is the point of difference for whanau who choose to send their children here.

I can’t tell you how many times people have commented to me about how they are impacted when they come into this school – they use words like ‘peaceful’, ‘something special’, ‘a great feeling’ to describe what we know as the wonderful covering of the Lord.

For my part, I have been surrounded by faithful role-models who have shown me patience, respect, grace and understanding, people who have enabled me to do the work that I was called here to accomplish. I specifically acknowledge Pastors Mike Norman and Mike and Alison Shaw who have prayed earnestly for my wellbeing and that of the students, staff and school. I also want to acknowledge my staff who have all been such a significant part of my life here. Ultimately however we are here, entrusted with the precious minds and persons of the young people who attend this school – and Jesus has special words of warning to any who would cause one of these little ones to stumble, in fact, He calls us into like-mindedness with children. I have come to understand that what Jesus is referring to when He says we must humble ourselves like the child and turn and become like little children (Mathew 18), that we are to have a humble dependency on the Lord, for Him to be able to restore us to His original design – it is when we are a full book that it becomes hard to make changes .

I will take this opportunity to express my thanks to all, to ask for a special blessing from the Lord on you all and to pray that in the Lord, the future is bright for all of us.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Blessings to all

David Rogers

PRINCIPAL