‘Courage and Commitment’. Is Our School Motto at Rotorua Intermediate. My staff and our Board of Trustees believe this motto encapsulates the positive attitude to life, work and living which we want students to leave Rotorua Intermediate with after two years of quality education. Life is a path you beat while you walk it It is the walking that beats the path It is not the path that makes the walk. Our students at Rotorua Intermediate will develop both the ‘Courage and Commitment’ to walk their own path. Courage is important because they are journeying into a world which the only constant is change. They will be challenged by the pace of technology, the diversity of culture and the vastness of knowledge. Therefore we need to develop within them the confidence to take considered risks in learning and in life. The education at Rotorua Intermediate will expose them to ‘Rich, Real and Relevant’ learning experiences within a positive and supportive learning culture, stimulating their courage to take risks. It will be through these experiences that students will be able to discover their capacity to engage in learning, reflect on learning and celebrate their learning achievements. Commitment is also essential as our students need to appreciate that effort and work ethic will maximize their ability to learn and achieve. Students at Rotorua Intermediate with discover that their commitment, blended with their ability, will build their learning power. They will learn to appreciate that the ultimate responsibility for learning needs to be owned by each student as they progress along their learning path. Our teachers will accept their professional responsibility to provide learning opportunities that focus on the personalized needs of their students. We also encourage parents to participate supporting their child by working in partnership with us. Together we will achieve the above. As Principal it is my privilege to ensure the quality of learning for your child. My door is always open if you have ideas on how we might further enhance approaches to: ‘Building Learning Power within our students’.