Although we enjoy the benefits of being a small to medium sized Auckland school, we still intend to be a school with large aspirations and dreams for every one of our young Liston men.

Simply put, we want to strengthen our Liston Man culture of aspiration and belonging …in all things. 

On this note - I ask you to please take the time to read the 4 points below to see our focus points for Term 3.

1. School Open for Learning

• Our teacher’s commitment to your sons learning was evident during term 2 when absences were high. My thanks for their hard work as we managed to keep the school open for all but one afternoon when year 11 students finished early. 
• For the above reason, as you know, mask wearing inside will be renewed during the early weeks of this term to give the school maximum chance of staying open during term 3 for critical face to face learning. 
• Please note: our expectation is that all boys achieve 95% school attendance throughout this term.

2. Academic Grades

• Despite academic grades across New Zealand predicted to drop in 2022 due to severe covid absences from school, at Liston we will still continue to strive towards every student reaching their academic goals this year. 
• Consistent daily effort in class is the most effective way to ensure boys reach their academic potential. To assist this, we will be implementing a “Weekly Effort Grade” for all students. Week 2 we will trial this with Year 7 and year 11 - and from Week 3 every student at every level will begin to receive a Weekly Effort Grade that will be emailed home. (More detailed information will be sent out closer to the time. 

3. Community Events

• Belonging through Community is oxygen for boys, and it is our intention is to restart key events including;   
  1. Father and Son Breakfast – early September
  2. Old Boys vs Students annual sporting fixture – mid September
  3. Mother and Son afternoon tea – late September

We will be in contact soon to confirm dates and details for the above. 

4. Winter Sport - Culture 

• Boys need heroes to aspire too and in Premier sports this season we have seen some encouraging performances from our Hockey 1st XI remaining top of their grade and our Football 1st XI also near the top of their competition and seeking promotion.  
• You may or may not be aware that our Basketball 1st V and Rugby 1st XV play in the highest Auckland Premier Grades respectively. Whilst this is a significant accomplishment for the size of Liston College, we have even higher aspirations, with goals over the next 2-3 years to compete strongly against bigger schools. 

On a final note:

• Aspiration and belonging are values that we want every single Liston man feeling and believing in. This term there will be key opportunities to show our sideline support for our Premier Sport Liston teams as they strive to reach their season goals. The first such opportunity is in Rugby as the 1st XV seek victory inside the hardest school boy rugby competition in the world. We are asking all students this Saturday 2.30pm at Liston to proudly wear their Liston colours and cheer on your team against Tangaroa College 1st XV. 

Steve Dooley

Principal

Liston College