Tēna koutou kātoa! I am now into the third week as Acting Principal, and am finding the role every bit as time-consuming as I always imagined it would be, yet I am grateful for the support of Mrs Marianne Parks and Ms Leah Hanan for overseeing the respective boarding and financial aspects of the role, allowing me to focus on the teaching and wellbeing of our students.

My thanks must also go to the whole school community for the support I have received. I have to confess I have never aspired to be a principal and rely on historical knowledge gained over the past three decades, a dedicated staff, supportive boards and parents, and wonderful students to guide Columba through to the appointment of a new principal.

The demands, and indeed opportunities, presented in the role of Principal are plentiful and I would like to acknowledge Juliette Hayes for her energy and commitment over the past four years, balancing the Principal role with family commitments. I also acknowledge the quiet support of her husband, Glenn and extend our best wishes to the family as Juliette seeks to complete her PhD studies and spend more quality time together as family.

The beginning of Term 2 led us to reflect on the importance of ANZAC day and I must commend our Chaplain Dr Jennifer Macleod on the ANZAC service that was held in chapel on our first Friday back. This was a touching service and Mrs Jennifer Anglin, our College Archivist, did an amazing job researching former Columba students involved in the both World Wars. I've attached the list of those who have or are still serving our country in this article.  

It was lovely to meet the parents of the Junior School at their afternoon tea last Wednesday and I know that the Year 10 boarders who helped with organising activities for the children during that time really enjoyed interacting with the juniors. We would like to foster this relationship between the Year 10 and junior school students by encouraging more involvement at lunchtime.

The Years 12 and 13 Formal last Friday evening was a very successful occasion. The students looked stunning and conducted themselves with real grace and decorum. Special thanks go to our Head Prefect, Lydia Joseph, and the formal committee for all their work beforehand, especially with the decorations. Now that we have this major social occasion out of the way, it is time for Years 9 to 13 students to focus on nourishing the flames of knowledge by starting their study programmes for the Mid-Year exams, which start in Week 7. It’s not too late to ask your teachers for extra help with any points you aren’t sure of.

Kia kaha

Ms Jenness Riethmaier