by Ryan Cox

From the Principal

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Currently our senior students are sitting their school exams in preparation for their NCEA exams next term. They should also be making the most of the other opportunities, such as tutorials, reassessments and to work on their practical based assignments, which staff have provided.

As our seniors count down to the end of the year, there will be a number of awards evenings and functions which acknowledge the achievements of our senior students throughout the year. Our Sports Awards, which will be held on Tuesday 19 September, will be the first of these, culminating with senior prizegiving in the afternoon of Friday 27 October. I would encourage parents, caregivers and whānau to attend these events as we celebrate another successful year at Hillcrest High School.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Year 13’s for their contribution to Hillcrest, which for many began as Year 9’s in 2019. Navigating teenage years can be challenging at times. We also know that the effects of COVID certainly had its challenges. We hope that this has made our students more resilient and resourceful as they leave for the next chapter in their lives.

Head Students Nico Bhula, Alex Collett, Sage Garrett and Jessica Licht, plus the other members of the Senior Student Leadership team have done a superb job in organising events, representing the school, and providing an important student voice for the rest of the school. The Head Students final act will be the Senior Dinner on the evening of Friday 27 October. I would also like to thank Mr. Donald Beer and Mrs. Rochelle Webber, the current Dean and Assistant Deans for their dedication and support of our students. Over the years Mr. Jason Mclean, Mr. Jordan Baker, Mr. Aaron McNabb, Mr. Tony Pouwells, Mrs. Hannah Gregory and Mr. Tai Te Rito have all been part of the Deans team associated with this group of students. Thank you also to the Hauora teachers, a number guiding and supporting these students over the past 5 years.

What the future holds is often difficult to predict, but I would like to think that the qualifications, skills and experiences our current Year 13’s have gained at Hillcrest will hold them in good stead for the future.

I would like to welcome Mr. Shane Singh to our staff. Mr. Singh is our Director of Pastoral Care. This is a new position created to support the Deans and Senior Leadership Team. Mr. Singh joins us from Hamilton Boys’ High School, where he had a similar role.

With only a short amount of time left until the seniors depart early next term, it is important that we continue to receive the support from our parents and whānau. Every little bit helps as we continue to provide the best possible outcomes for our students.

Ngā mihi

Kelvin Whiting

Principal