It's been another full and exciting week for me here at Columba and I am loving being part of the team. There is never a dull moment here, that's for sure! Read on for some of my "high points" - this week's "Principal's Pinnacles."

Kia ora tātau

I used to love reading Jenness' news of everything that is happening in the College - our students have so much going on it is simply breathtaking!  However, rather than try to capture all key College comings and goings in my weekly updates as she did, I am going to share a couple of personal highlights.  I hope that as you read the rest of our Hail publication, you will get a feel for all the many other wonderful things going on that I don't mention.  

Shrouded in the glorious sunshine of Thursday, I had the immense pleasure of visiting our year 5 and 6 students at Berwick camp. My tank was filled to overflowing with children's joy as they learned new skills and my belly filled with home baking for afternoon tea (having already had lunch from Chu-Chu Bakehouse patisserie cart)!  I am so grateful to the staff of the junior school and the year 5-6 parents who worked together to make this such an amazing experience for our ākonga.  THANK YOU!

Another highlight of my week was the year 10 performance of The Lord of the Flies.  With gritty and almost disturbingly convincing acting, the year 10s took command of the entire Theatre using not only the stage area, but up the back and sides as well to draw us into the story.  My thanks to Ina, Pip and the team who have made that happen - I now understand the invoice for fake blood that came through from the drama department!

Finally, I am deeply grateful to the College and Presbyterian Church for the collaboration that lead to my Induction Service on Tuesday.  There have only been a couple of occasions in New Zealand history where a Presbyterian Minister has been inducted as a Principal (the last occasion was when Rev. Williams was inducted as Headmaster of St Kentigern’s in 1997), and I am the first woman minister to be inducted as Principal.  Thus our Induction Service was a formal and significant event not only for me, but also for our College and Church.  Thank you to all the staff and church people who contributed to the service.  We were grateful to have the current and several previous National Moderators of the Presbyterian Church in attendance (Rt. Rev. Rose Luxford and Very. Revs Hamish Galloway, Graham Redding, Richard Dawson, and Peter Cheyne).  I am wearing the pounamu you gave me with pride and gratitude (I have included a picture taken of me at camp wearing it FYI).

Best wishes for a fun-filled and relaxing time with family and friends over this long weekend.