I wish everyone a restful and enjoyable Easter break.

Dear parents/caregivers,

It is amazing how the life of a principal can reflect so many highs and lows. Our young people do amazing things in our schools and communities. They actively participate in sports, arts and culture, and serve others through leadership and service to the community. Their achievements are phenomenal. In this week's update, we celebrate the following student achievements, all in addition to other achievements that were celebrated in the newsletter last week:

• Maddi Harrop - Three medals at the Skoda South Island Secondary Schools Mountain Biking (MTB) championships: 1st U15 Enduro, 2nd U15 Downhill, 3rd U15 Cross Country.
• Xanthe Robb - 4th U21 pro female in both rounds of the UCI Enduro MTB World Series in Tasmania.
• Astrid Sayer & Ruth Buckland - both awarded places on the BLAKE Inspire course with full scholarship.
• Nayland Sailing Team - Top of the South champions and have gained entry to the national competition.
• Mikaela Macdonald, Monique Hopkins and Emily Olthof - will be competing at the Oceania Speedskating Championships in Brisbane over Easter - good luck girls! 
• Nayland Girls A Volleyball - Division 2 champions at the National Secondary School Volleyball Championships in Palmerston North.
• South Island Secondary School Athletic Championships: Micayla Whiti - 1st U19 200m and 2nd U19 100m. Josephine Tappenden - 1st U16 400m and 4th U16 200m. Both girls have qualified for the Australian National Age Group Championships in Brisbane over the holidays. Good luck to both of you!
• Molly Clarke, Sam Clark and Tyler Curtis - all selected to go to the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Nationals in Wellington following great success at the regional competition. Well done to all our other students who also gained trophies - see the article here. 

I would like to thank the Nayland College community for your amazing support over what has been another difficult term for teachers across the country. I know that my staff will take the opportunity to have a good break, recharge their batteries and return next term ready to face the ongoing change programme from the Ministry of Education and the continued challenge of being at the forefront of the post-covid cost of living and mental health crisis. I hope that our students also have a wonderful break and return ready to continue their learning in term two. 

Ngā mihi nui

Daniel Wilson
Principal