Acting Principal Bernard Coleman
Helensville Community News - From the Acting Principal of Kaipara College, Bernard Coleman Kia ora e te whānau o Kaipara, Thank you for the support and kindness so many of you have shown our kura as the Board continues the appointment process for our next permanent Principal. My role, as I see it, is simply to keep things steady so the new Principal, whoever they may be, can take the helm confidently.
Like any school community, Kaipara College has travelled through change and growth over recent years. One of the most important outcomes of that journey has been the creation of our WAKA values. Whanaungatanga (Our People), Aroha (Our Way), Kaitiakitanga (Our Place), and Angitutanga (Our Success) have become our compass. These values guide our decisions, our relationships, and the way we care for our young people. They are a legacy our school can be proud of, and they help us live out our mission: Eke Panuku, Eke Tangaroa – Navigate to Success.
Over the past month, I’ve been reminded of the strength and heart within this kura. At our Senior Academic Prizegiving, we celebrated achievements across sport, arts, academics, service, and cultural leadership. Our students carried themselves with humility and pride, and their success reflects the dedication of our staff and the unwavering support of our whanau and community. It was one of those evenings that truly makes you feel hopeful about the world, and it was a delight to connect with so many proud families, staff, and students.
While our senior students have embarked on their NCEA external examinations, our juniors have returned from an amazing camp in Mangawhai, with plenty of adventures on the water and in the outdoors. They now prepare for end-of-year exams and the Junior Academic Prizegiving.
At Kaipara College, we have recently taken time to reset expectations in classrooms so every learner can finish the year well. This is not about being harsh. It is about aroha, consistency, and giving each student the best chance to feel calm, settled, and confident heading into the summer break. I want to acknowledge our staff, who continue to show incredible resilience and heart, and our families, whose partnership keeps us grounded. Kaipara College is strong because of the people who surround it and the belief this community has in its young people.
As we prepare for 2026, including our upcoming ERO review, much of the work ahead is about strengthening our foundations rather than reinventing wheels. I am proud of the Board’s unity and their commitment to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This ensures our foundations remain strong and that we can continue to forge a positive path that includes everyone.
Kaipara College has enormous heart, and there is real reason to feel hopeful about what lies ahead.
Nga manaakitanga, Bernard Coleman
Acting Principal, Kaipara College
