Kia ora everyone. It’s been great to have all students back at school this week after Derived Grade Exams last week. It’s also been great to have the sun back for multiple days in a row!

Our seniors have about three and a half weeks of school learning time left before NCEA exams begin on Monday 7th November (start of week 4, term 4). Most students are very focused now and understand what they need to do to finish internal assessments and prepare for exams. Teachers are working hard to prepare and deliver revision programmes, and offer extra 1:1 support as needed.

The second Tai Poutini Kapa Haka Wānanga held at Greymouth High School early this week was very successful. I arrived to collect students near the end of the day, and I could hear, see and feel the improvement in confidence levels across all students involved – it was awesome to hear the students singing a closing karakia – He Honore (Honour to God) for each other, rather than just with each other.

Mena the dog from the Penguin trust was a hit with junior students when she and her staff visited this week, see pictures further in the newsletter.

Fundraising efforts continue for the Basketball Nationals with a non-uniform day and sausage sizzle today. This helped to create a lovely, relaxed atmosphere in the school during breaks.

Ngā mihi nui, have a restful long weekend everyone.

Madeline Campbell