What a week it has been for Columba! Our international and senior students returned on Monday night from their three day ski weekend on the bus that had brought up the Year 9 group.

Tēnā koutou katoa

It is always a real pleasure to see the Years 7 - 13 international students and their kiwi friends supporting and interacting with each other on the slopes and back in the Vincent Hut. They were not hampered by the limited snow cover and it meant fewer people on the mountain. The Year 9 students were blessed with a fresh dump of snow soon after their arrival, but sadly, a number of them came down with the vomiting bug that seems to have been doing the rounds at school. I commend our staff and the parent helpers, on their valiant efforts to contain the spread of this highly infectious bug. It is such a shame that our 30th Year 9 Ski Camp has had to deal with this, but most students were able to get out and hone their skills on the much needed fresh snow.

Our teams returned on Tuesday evening from the Quad Tournament, having once again been placed First overall after winning the Badminton, Football and Netball sections. It is interesting that Rangi Ruru Girls’ School has also joined the tournament, making it a five-way match, with the name Quad retained, as it refers to the four codes being competed.

Absolute highlight of the week would have to be the stunning performance of ‘Mamma Mia’, which opened on Wednesday and runs through to Saturday evening. Congratulations to all involved!! The standard of Columba musical productions has been steadily climbing but this show lifts the bar even higher. The performance, set, costumes and lighting all came together to make for a fabulous night's entertainment and it was lovely to see everyone on the stage really enjoying themselves as much as those in the audience. In the words of one parent, “I had to keep reminding myself that the cast and crew were only teenagers. I know that the school will be incredibly proud of its students and staff,” and we certainly are. I think that echoes the sentiment of all who will have seen the show and I urge those of you, who haven't yet bought a ticket, to rush to secure the last few, if there are any left.  

Reports will follow on each of these events in nest week's newsletter.

Ngā mihi nui,

Jenness Riethmaier