The end of the year appears to have arrived suddenly. Fine settled weather is welcome as the syndicates plan for days spent exploring the area and enjoying activities outside.

Last Friday saw a formal farewell to Whaea Lena who leaves her role as D.P. at the end of the year. Lena's whanau and friends from the marae, netball and the community joined us for an assembly filled with song. Next week's end of year assembly will be in the college hall so another opportunity for friends and colleagues to celebrate her career and bid farewell. The assembly at the college is due to start at 11am.

Rachael Gaston, our art teacher is leaving us at the end of the year and moving to her hometown, Dunedin. Amelia Mazur has accepted the role of art teacher so now we are looking for a textiles teacher. Many of my colleagues are still looking for teaching staff for 2024 so I am pleased to be relatively sorted for the new school year. Gone are the days when we all received 70 applications for every role!

Charissa Potgieter is on maternity leave for the early part of 2024 and Brooke Sutherland is returning from maternity to take up this position. Paul Burke and Carly Smith join the staff next year.

The end of the year has brought special highlights for us - Bird of the Year presentations, Extreme Cake Sports at the Avalon TV Studios, the Tawa exchange, orientation days for year 6s, a Newlands Intermediate talent show, the year 8 dinner and dance and the production.

Year 8s look out for an email in mid-January letting you know who your 2024 teacher is and giving you a link to make an appointment for Getting Connected Day.

I hope many families will use our school grounds in the holidays. Our school is a community school and it is great to see our fields, courts, turf and bike tracks used in the holidays. Builders will be on site during this time getting the school ready for the start ofthe school year.

We have finished the year with 546 students, the largest number in the school's history. We start the year more modestly on around 530. 

Thank you for your ongoing support for our school. I hope you and your whanau enjoy time together over the holiday break. Be safe and peaceful.

Nga mihi nui