We wish all our students a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

It has been such a pleasure to hear about the success of so many students over the past term. In just the last few weeks, we have had the following news:

• Lucy Mahuika has been selected for the New Zealand Under 18 Ngā Māreikura Girls Rugby Squad.
• Lovinia Pluck has won the Junior Maioha Award in the National Songwriting Competition with her beautiful composition "E tū ngā tāngata." This award is for the best song with lyrics written in Te Reo Māori.
• Kahu Sanson-Burnett and Alyahna Sanson-Rejouis (Nelson College for Girls) were awarded second place in the National Rockquest Final (Solo/Duo section).
• Xanthe Banks and Ruihia Pemberton competed in the National Ngā Manu Kōrero Finals in Dunedin earlier this week.

Principal Appointment

Recently, I accepted an appointment with the Ministry of Education as a local Leadership Advisor. This is a secondment for the 2024 academic year and I will return to Nayland College in 2025. I would like to congratulate and thank Hannah Banks, who has been appointed by the board as Acting Principal for next year. I know that she will do a fabulous job and the school is in very good hands. I would also like to thank the board for supporting me in this opportunity. My role within the region will involve connecting and supporting a large number of schools and principals. I am looking forward to the challenge and know that I will bring a wealth of knowledge back to Nayland College at the end of the fixed-term role.

Student Leaders

Our 2024 Student Leaders were announced today at a special Year 12 assembly. This year, we have strengthened the application process, with students having to submit an application, face an interview panel, and then be voted in by their peers. We have brought the process forward from previous years to allow a handover period in Term 4. Congratulations to the following students (who will be celebrated at our Academic and Service Awards):

• Alex Marshall
• Annabel Batt
• Cameron Potts
• Stella Bloomfield

Nayland College Board Representatives

Nominations are now open for the election of two parent representatives to the school board. All caregivers should have received detailed information and a nomination form via email (please contact the school office if you have not received this). I would encourage anyone with an interest in school governance to put themselves forward for this very important role.

Student Representative Election

Yesterday, we held our student representative election for the next 12 months. Late votes will be received up until 4pm today and votes will be counted as soon as practicable. I would like to thank and acknowledge all three candidates who spoke exceptionally well across three assemblies this week. 

Fake News

Recently, there have been public announcements made by a local political candidate stating that both Nayland College and another local school 'definitely' provide litter boxes in our bathrooms for students that identify as 'furries.' I find it slightly ridiculous that I am commenting on this; however, I can assure our parent population that this is simply an urban myth that has been circulating around New Zealand schools. This linked article might give some context on how such fictional stories make their way into community conversations.

I wish all of our students a very safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Ngā mihi nui,

Daniel Wilson
Principal