This was the theme for this year’s Māori Language Week and we have celebrated in our assembly last week and with whānau time and lunch time activities to encourage the use of the reo.

Kia ora koutou e te whānau

Sharing whatever reo you know will ensure the language is heard and lives so even if you know only a few words they are a treasure - Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu. Kia kaha tātou mā, be strong and speak the language so that it flies. 

As part of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori our Kāhui Ako held its Kapa Haka Celebration on Thursday evening in a packed College Gymnasium. This is such a special event that highlights for me the connectedness in our community and the ability of waiata and haka to bring us together in the spirit of aroha (love) and manaaki (care). Thank you to the many parents and kaiako who have encouraged and supported their tamariki and rangatahi to perform with mana and pride. 

On Friday last week we farewelled Deputy Principal Sarah Hill and also acknowledged the special contribution of our kapa haka tutor Whaea Teri Kahukuranui. Sarah has made a difference through her passion, energy and commitment to learning for our students and staff.  Sarah engaged strongly with whānau around the co-requisites, NCEA, subjects selection as well as with our business community on vocational and alternative programmes.  We wish Sarah all the best for her mahi as a Deputy Principal at Wakatipu High School.

Whaea Teri is much loved by our students for her deep knowledge of kapa haka, her warmth and care and her ability to teach and inspire the best from our kapa haka groups throughout her 30 years of involvement with our school. Our kapa haka group proudly performed the waiata ‘Ngoi’, an action song that Whaea Teri generously passed on to us through her own connection to the Pātea Māori Club. E te mareikura, tēnā rā koe and thank you. 

Ngā mihi nui and congratulations to Karen Gallagher who has been appointed to a Deputy Principal position next year.  We have appointed Tania Henderson as a full time homeroom teacher and James Westgate as a full time English teacher.  Michelle Scott continues in the Chemistry Science position with Phoebe Begg taking a further year of maternity leave. Aimee Ross and Mariska Visser will also be away on maternity leave next year and we aim to have these positions filled in Term 4.  We welcome Mary Mansell as our new Arts Coordinator. Mary's role will focus on opportunities for students and raising the profile of the Arts in our Kura.  Andrew Gardiner started as our workshop technician last week and will also be supporting Caretaker Richie Nicholson with his mahi. 

Trinity College Year 7 and 8 students competed in a winter sports exchange with us last Thursday. It was a spirited and even encounter with the real highlight being the respect and fair play shown throughout the day.  We have around 40 students from Year 10 to 13 working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Awards. Those completing their Silver and Gold Awards will be tramping in Stewart Island in the first week of the holidays.  

Our inaugural Art Exhibition opened on Friday evening and showcased the artistic talents of our students. Thank you for the strong support from our community for the exhibition. Almost $4000 of art was sold by students which is an indication of the quality of the works on display. He rawe and well done to Head of the Arts, Ashlee Carr, for her initiative and encouragement of our artists, and, congratulations to all students who exhibited their art.

Mason Stretch

Tumuaki - Principal