Term 3 Update

Only a week or so until spring!  I have been in education for over 20 years and I don't recall prolonged season of illness-related disruption like this ever before.  Your workplace will be similar I imagine, with our staff illness rates never below 15-20% since COVID hit in mid Term One.  That is five months of hard graft for all.
I want to point out the result of the hard work, commitment and flexibility of the staff here at RVS, depicted in the Ministry of Education supplied graph below.  The diamonds are our school's attendance compared to the region and the rest of the country.  Many schools have been shutting or sending class groups home regularly due to staffing issues.  We have remained committed to staying open to continue teaching and learning, and also to minimise disruption for families.  Congratulations RVS staff.

RVS Staff 2022! (12 people missing from this picture)

Prize-giving and Other Dates 2022
​Our school now has 299 students and just under 50 staff.  I have always been in favour of a whole school Prize Giving as it is a wonderful celebration time.  Unfortunately, this is not possible in our current auditorium.  The estimated number of attendees would be between 600 and 700, if most students also had an adult or two come along.  The only venue in Marlborough that size is the ASB Theatre.  The ASB Theatre is not an option this year but this may well be an option for the future. We will consult early next year on what you would prefer as a community going forward.

This year we will need to split our Prize Givings into three: Junior, Middle and Senior.  The dates for these are as follows:

Senior School - Wednesday 2nd November - 6:30pm (early due to exam leave)
Junior School - Monday  12th December - 5:00pm
Middle School - Tuesday 13th December - 6:30pm

We are aware that some families have students in several areas of the school.  As mentioned, this is a trial and we will look further into how we do Prize Giving and other whole school events in early 2023.  More details regarding these prize-givings will be sent out in Term Four.

 - The final day of 2022 for Y0 to 10 students will be Tuesday 13th December. 
 - Y11-13 students will receive information regarding study leave and exams via Mr. Adamson
​ - The first day back for T1, 2023 will be Thursday 2nd February 

Resignation
It is with sadness I inform you of the resignation of Leah Pigou, our Middle School Assistant Principal, who will be leaving at the end of 2022.  Leah has been an amazing foundational leader here at RVS over the last four years.  Leah is stepping away from education for a while after many years working in the lives of young people and we may see her back sometime in the future.  We will celebrate her time at RVS near the end of the year including the Middle School Prize Giving mentioned above.  Leah leaves on a great note having achieved a lot in her tenure and leaves an excellent legacy for the incoming AP of Middle School.  We will advertise for this position soon.  

Leadership Structure
After much research and discussion, the Board of Trustees has decided to add a Deputy Principal to the leadership team of Richmond View School.  At the moment, there is a Principal and three Assistant Principals.  Each of the Assistant Principals oversee Junior, Middle and Senior schools.  The structure will remain the same in that regard, only there will be two Assistant Principals and one Deputy Principal.  Julian Adamson and Malanie van der Vyver will continue in their roles as Assistant Principal's of Junior and Senior Schools respectively, unless they choose to apply to become DP.  Regardless of the outcome, they will remain in charge of their respective areas.  

The BoT made this decision based on the needs of the school as we grow.  A Deputy Principal:
 - Is the clear next  delegate when the Principal is away or unavailable
 - Is a good support for staff, parents and the Principal.
 - It important for further career pathways among staff
​ - Is a strong figure in upholding the culture and ethos of the school
We will advertise for this position.  Both positions (Deputy Principal and Middle School Assistant Principal) will be advertised soon and will be available internally and externally.  
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Building work on the north side of E Block is progressing well.  This block of 2.5 classrooms is well underway and due to be finished ready for the first day of 2023.  These will be Y11-13 spaces and the area surrounding the classrooms will be a Y11-13 space only.  

Mrs Struthers and her team are beginning the RVS SUPPORT CREW funded mural at the end of B Block.  The mural was designed by Mrs Struthers and her art students.  It will feature Te Waiharakeke (Marlborough's) mountains and rivers while pointing to God as the creator of them all.  

​Board Elections
It is encouraging to see such strong candidacy for our election.  I encourage you to pray and vote.  We have traditionally had a strong voter turnout for the RVS BoT election and it would be good to see this again.  

​Student Prefects Beginning in 2023
1 Peter 4:10 - As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

At Richmond View School, becoming a Prefect is not a reward for excellence, or a position of authority to rule over others, rather it is an opportunity to use the gifts God has given us to serve and bless others. It comes with training and personal development opportunities and a high level of trust from the teachers and senior leadership of the school. It also comes with the expectation that the Prefect will always try to act with personal integrity and to serve and bless those around them through their leadership.

In 2023 we intend to appoint four Prefects, one for each of the areas of the Honours Programme:
Serve and Lead (Serve and Lead Prefect)
Move (Sports Prefect)
Create (Arts and Culture Prefect)
Think (Academic Prefect)

These roles are open to any student in Years 12 or 13 in 2023. An application process will take place at the end of Term 3 and into the beginning of Term 4. The criteria for selection for each role are as follows:

The prospective student:
 - Is in year 12 or 13 in 2023
 - Upholds the values of RVS to the best of their ability, especially in their Christian character.
 - Has a passion for the role that they are applying for and desires to support others through their work
 - Is reliable and trustworthy 
 - Shows strong servant leadership potential

Final decisions on appointments will be at the discretion of the Principal.  More information to follow.

Final Thoughts
We maintain that RVS aspires to always be Christ centred and student focussed.  This makes us different.  More detail regarding this aspiration can be found in our Special Character Statement, penned in 2001 when the school was officially integrated via an agreement with the government.   You can read this statement by clicking HERE.  Re-visiting this statement, God's word, and other such important directional authorities keep us safe from mission creep, keep us true to our calling as a school.  This gives great comfort in the face of change, comfort in times of wider un-rest.  

My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the flooding at the moment.  Also those who have been affected by illness, particularly COVID or the ongoing effects of COVID.  May Richmond View School continue to be a place that brings comfort, growth, learning and stability to all those connected, particularly our young people.

God bless,

Dave Pauling
Principal

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