Kia ora koutou katoa

Term four is well underway, and we welcome Katie Anderson, who returns to Mackenzie College from Opihi College. This term is short but intense. 8 Weeks in total. 2 Teacher Only days, and South anniversary on the 11th of November.

Today is the last day for seniors before they go on study leave, with NCEA exams starting on Monday. We wish our seniors well as they embark on their NCEA external exam journey.

For juniors, the adventures continue. Our Year 9 students depart on Sunday to complete the Abel Tasman National park tramp. I want to thank Mrs Parke and Mrs Linklater for the hours of organisation that go into a camp of this nature. Also, thanks to mums and dads who are attending as parent help, the camp would not run without your support.

Planning is underway for the Year 10 camp, and it is shaping to be another memory maker. First, students will complete the Mount Somers tramp, followed by white water rafting on the Rangitata River. I plan to make my way over to the Rangitata and jump on a raft, too!

On Thursday night, we held the 2022 Year 10 Diploma dinner. This was a wonderful occasion and a proud moment for both staff and families. Congratulations to the Diploma recipients. You’ve put in the effort, completed the hours, and achieved the goal. Well done!

Last night we held the annual Young Performers Concert. Every time I attend this show, I am captivated by the talent that we have at Mackenzie College. Well done to those that competed and to those who were category winners. This was Maggie Holtham and Amy Hay’s final Young Performers Concert. It has been a joy to watch you perform over the years and grow into the talented musician you are today. Isaac Ryall has been our student sound and lighting technician for many shows and productions at Mackenzie College. I want to thank him for his time, dedication and commitment to this role.

The Mackenzie College Board is currently reviewing the vision and direction of Mackenzie College. Please take your time to provide information that will inform the development of our strategic plan into 2023 and beyond. The link for the form is on Facebook and has also been emailed.

We value any feedback and feed-forward that will enable us to keep moving Mackenzie College in the right direction so that it can continue to provide students in this region with the best educational opportunities. A community strategic planning session is scheduled for the 24th of November. More details will follow.

I invite our school community to the Mackenzie College Award Ceremony on Thursday 8th of December. It will be wonderful to have our community back after last year's Covid-19 disrupted event.

Have a lovely weekend.

Sam Nelson

Principal/Tumuaki

SCPS MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM