I have now been back at Naenae College as principal for 10 years, having promised a maximum of five. I hope I have not outstayed my welcome but the truth is that deep bonds of loyalty and pride have taken root in that time.

There are thirteen different nationalities represented in our two classes (Reception/Transition and NCEA). Some arrived in New Zealand this year while others had been here for a year or two already. This is the report on this year, in a mash-up of their own words.

Performing Arts have had a big year with massive changes throughout the Department. We have welcomed Tiffany Anderson back from leave and Megan McCarthy appointed as new Head of Department. While the vision for the Department grows, Performing Arts have been buzzing throughout intervals and lunchtimes with a lot of amazing creativity.

The NNC Poly Club took part in the annual Hutt Fest – the Hutt Valley Secondary Schools Polynesian Cultural Festival on Friday 1st July in Term 2. We had 32 students from across all year levels – a smaller fraction compared to last year’s group – who performed with the same gusto, mana and enthusiasm.

YOUNG ENTERPRISE ‘Bizninja’ Competition Competitors from Y10 Business Studies. (Nathaneal, Ceejay, Ethan, Lionel, Ta Eh, James, Akash and Reid)

10 loud and proud girls with two exhausted coaches sum up our season pretty well.

The first to see the rising sun – the first NZ tournament to hit this astroturf - a 7.1 earthquake and tsunami that followed.

It was a great experience to make the model aeroplanes with our own hands learning about the different materials and how to handle them.

I’m Shivaash, and I proudly represented Tokomanawa as its Whanau Head Prefect for 2016! It has been a great privilege to fulfil this role, and I have enjoyed year doing so! I’m very thankful to all the students and staff supported me through the year!

2016 has been a really big year for the Spanish Department. This year we have embarked on our first year of NCEA assessment for the Seniors and a new and exciting Cultural Portfolio for the Junior Classes. Here are some of the highlights.

At last, the night Senior students have been waiting for, the 2016 Naenae College Formal! On August 21st, Naenae College students and teachers should have been on the front cover of a magazine as we climbed into our sweet rides, Mr Russell's safety-first NCS buses, on our way to Wellington City.

Kia ora! My name is Tiaki Huria, and I’m in 10ATA. This year, I had a literally life-changing experience in San Francisco, California. 

My name is Lucy Carver and I am in 10ATA. On the 27th and 28th of October I went into Space Place in Kelburn, Wellington along with Nick Kellett from our school, and 20 other students from around the Wellington area.

Kia ora! My name is Aliraza Ismatullah and I’m in 10ATA. I represented the Naenae Boxing Academy in the North Island Golden Gloves Championships.

It’s been a busy year in the Library, we’ve had lots of learning happening in the Year 9 information literacy lessons and lots of reading in the Books and Crosses reading challenge.

Here is the story of 9H’s inquiry. They presented this as a video during the expo day. This is the script they used to tell their inquiry story.

My five years here at Naenae College have honestly been the greatest experience!

It hasn’t really hit me yet that soon I will be leaving a special place of which I have proudly called my home for the past five years. Every day I arrive home from Naenae College, I feel even more connected to the people and part of Te Whanau Tahi.

Geographers are trying to make sense of the complex real world around us.

2016 has seen another very full year of activities in the Food Technology Department. Students have participated with enthusiasm in classroom programmes and practical events as well as gaining credits towards NCEA. At the end of Term 1 we moved into the long anticipated refurbished Foods Room and soon settled into working in an up-to-date classroom kitchen with modern appliances and the latest technology.