BACKKia ora Rangitoto College Parents,
Periods of significant change are a natural, inevitable part of your child’s journey through Rangitoto College and into their future. Whether they are starting a new school year, transitioning to the next year level, or preparing to leave the school gates for the final time, each transition brings with it a unique set of both opportunities and challenges. These moments are crucial for our young people, as they demand the use and strengthening of essential life skills: managing uncertainty, adjusting to new social and learning environments, and building genuine resilience. While many Rangitoto students embrace change with excitement, it is completely normal for others to find it unsettling or disruptive to their established routine and sense of security. Research consistently highlights that transitions can be significant stress points, often associated with heightened feelings of anxiety, temporary dips in academic engagement, and shifts in existing peer connections. We also recognise that these times can place additional pressure on family dynamics. Understanding the psychological and emotional weight of change is the first step that allows parents, caregivers, and us, as educators, to provide the most effective support. The ability to manage change successfully is deeply linked to resilience, which is not something that appears instantly; it is carefully built over time through consistent guidance, the establishment of clear boundaries, and open access to reassurance and care. When we, as Rangitoto College and a community of families, work collaboratively to create a shared, proactive understanding of how to support these transitions, our students, our tamariki, are far more likely to feel confident, connected, and capable. Change can certainly be challenging, but it is also one of the most valuable opportunities for growth. By normalising these experiences and keeping the lines of communication open at home, your child can feel more secure. When the school and families work together to provide encouragement, reassurance, and structure, we lay a strong foundation that helps our students not only adapt to new beginnings but approach them with confidence and curiosity.
To gain more insight into supporting your child through periods of change, we encourage you to view the latest SchoolTV Special Report by Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, Dr Emma Woodward: Embracing Change and New Beginnings. Should the content of this report raise any concerns for you, we encourage you to contact the Counselling Team or explore other professional support options.
We value the opportunity we have had to partner with you in supporting the well-being and growth of your tamariki this year. We extend our warmest wishes to you all for a restful and relaxing summer break and a very merry Christmas.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jay, Janette, Lexi, Amy and Miriam
The Rangitoto College Counselling Team
