Firstly, a huge thanks to our students and staff for the seamless way we have all settled back into teaching and learning this term. There is a lovely, settled atmosphere in the school, even with senior derived grade exams upon our Year 11-13 students next week.

I have sent an email out to students and families about the expectations for next week:

All students are in school (and in uniform) even when they don’t have exams - they will need to be studying or completing internal assessments
The library is reserved as their study hub when not in an exam
Teachers will be available to support students with revision or completing internal assessments
All results will be available to students by Friday 5 November.

If students are struggling to identify study techniques, this short video has many helpful suggestions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R4jPwsz8l4

This week we took eight students on an Apiculture course run through Papa Taiao. Again, we were able to collaborate with Grey High for this opportunity, and we thank Lara and her students for helping to make this happen. On the first day, students learnt about bees and the honey making process, and made their own honey frames and bee boxes. On Wednesday, we went out to Blue Spur Milk & Honey https://www.bluespurmilkandhoney.co.nz/for the practical part of the course. Not only did they indulge in honey tasting, but students also lit the smokers, donned bee suits, and actively took a live hive apart. Our students all acquitted themselves so professionally – some handling the bees and taking the hive apart without gloves. All students gained 10 level 2 credits from this course and gained a micro credential in bee keeping. I would like to congratulate our students for their excellent efforts and thank Madeleine Castle for her work helping to bring this opportunity to our students.

Ngā mihi nui

Renée Hutchinson

Deputy Principal