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Nga mihi nui ki a koutou

As I started writing this newsletter during the weekend I didn’t have to factor in any mention of COVID 19. However, now I do! Thank you to everyone who is supporting us at Grey High in keeping all of our rangatahi, whānau and community safe. We will update you as soon as we hear any news. It’s a good reminder to ask everyone to join our Facebook page and download the free school app - Go to the App Store on your Apple or Android device and Search "SchoolAppsNZ' then Search Greymouth High - and when you do, check then regularly.

Life in Level 2 does for the most part continue as usual, obviously making sure we follow the Guidelines set by the Government. So back to talking about other things.

Last week at Greymouth High School was a full and fun one. Our first congratulations is to our Greymouth High School representatives who competed in the Coast to Coast last week. Callum Brown completed the Mountain Run with an amazing time of 4 hours, 9 minutes and 39 seconds - putting him in first place in the School Boys category! And Clark Fountain & Finlay Brown, a Two Person, Two Day team, finished 3rd in the Open Men’s category and 7th Overall! What an incredible achievement!
Myself and other staff got up early, well early for me, and went down to Kumara Junction and there were so many people taking part from all over the country; it was very impressive.

A big thank you to everyone who helped out with the PTA fundraising parking cars on our field raising money to support our school.

Our Health and Safety course was very successful and the feedback from the providers and the students was very positive.

The Trades Academy Pōwhiri, for our new students and the students from other schools on the West Coast, was a great experience. What an amazing facility we have in Greymouth and what they offer. We have 130 students taking part in this year across 15 different courses and Tania Washer (WCTA Manager), Kayla (WCTA Administrator), Kate Hall (WCTA Coordinator), and everyone one else supporting our students.

To celebrate Valentine's Day our Student Council sold balloons and chocolate to be delivered to their special people on Friday. This was their first fundraising event - so well done!

This week I am planning to travel back to the Waikato to organise bringing my belongings down to Greymouth but also take my daughter to the halls at the University of Waikato. I’ve talked to a number of parents here in Greymouth whose children are moving away for further study or work and it’s a bittersweet time. We encourage all of our students “Whāea te iti kahurangi - strive for success” (our school’s motto) and this is what we want for all of our students but it is sometimes difficult for us as parents when they do!

A few heads up for events happening soon. We are very excited that Kapa Haka starts on Monday 22nd February in Te Whare Akoranga. All students who have an interest are encouraged to join in! Also our first school event is Athletics Day on 23rd February. I have been told that it is a great day and I am really looking forward to attending my first one!

“Whāea te iti kahurangi - strive for success”

Nāku noa, nā

Samantha Mortimer

Principal