Nau mai haere mai.

As we fast approach the end of the year we do not seem to have slowed down around the school. Our Year 10 students are off on their Rite Journey camp. The girls are based in Waihola experiencing a number of activities with Mrs O'Connell and Mrs Chapman while the boys are heading off into the Silver Peaks forest for three extreme days of tramping and camping with Mr Herewini and myself. Activities day on Monday will be a just reward to our students for a challenging year with students participating in a number of activities at school or in town. These activities range from Ten Pin Bowling, Mountain Biking, Sand Duning, Tramping, Swimming, Squash, Movies and Art creations. Thank you to all the teachers for organising and supervising these activities at a busy time of the year for all of us.

On Friday the 4th of December Junior Reports will be available on Kamar and sent out in email form. Please let the school office know if you would like a paper copy.

On Tuesday 8th of December 6.30pm in the D.G Murray Hall we will be having our Prize-giving for 2020. We are lucky to have the honourable Judge John MacDonald as our guest speaker. 

Judge Macdonald is a previous student of Palmerston District High School. He has played the usual sports growing up but basketball became his passion and he first played for New Zealand in 1969 and retired from basketball 13 years later. Judge Macdonald was captain of the Tall Blacks when they beat Australia for the very first time 42 years ago.

He has the honour of being the first Maori basketballer to be inducted into the Te Whare Matapuna o Te Ao Maori. His career has paved the way for many more Maori Basketballers.

Judge Macdonald was also known for his career in law, especially when he was appointed a District Court Judge in 1990, going into semi-retirement in 2009, but still retains an active warrant today. Judge Macdonald was elected as Patron of Basketball New Zealand in 2012, a position he still holds today.

This event is the highlight of the year for our students and their families. celebrating academic, sporting and cultural successes. It is important that all our students are present regardless of whether they are getting a prize or not. Celebrating their peers is just as significant as getting an award themselves and sends a message that we care about each other in this community. Equally having family members to share these occasions is a huge boost to our students.

Finally I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a great break with your families and recharge those batteries that have been heavily depleted in this unprecedented year.

Nga mihi nui.

Marcus Cooper