Tena Koutou Katoa

We had much to celebrate this year. 2018 has seen Rangiora High School transition back to a model of strong self-governance – September saw Rangiora High School become the first school in New Zealand to achieve the New Zealand School Trustees BroadSure certification - assurance for our community that the Board’s policies, systems and practices more than meet national standards. Then, in October the Education Review Office visited the school. The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that as a result of this visit, ERO has determined that they will carry out the next review as part of the regular cycle of review. The final report will be posted on the school website when we receive it.

2018 has been another successful year of student participation and success. Every year at this time we look back with great pride at the achievements of our students who are involved in the many different aspects of school life. At all three academic prizegivings we congratulated our academic prizewinners. Congratulations to all our prizewinners, in particular to:

• Dux - Chynae Rigter and Zoe Ambrose
  
• Proxime Accessit (runner up) - Courtney Matthews
  

Unfortunately, Chynae was  not acknowledged at our Graduation Prizegiving and I apologise to her on behalf of behalf of the school for the  human and systems errors that led to this oversight.  

An impressive 21 Year 13 students have also been awarded scholarships by the tertiary institutions that they will be attending in 2019. Congratulations to all our young people who through hard work and commitment have been acknowledged this year for their outstanding effort.

Extracurricular activities are important for students and their wellbeing. This year has seen great participation and great results. This year has seen great participation in both cultural and sporting opportunities. Students have taken to the stage to dance, sing and act in local and regional school festivals, competitions and community events. Casual Fridays have become a regular opportunity for young performers to develop their performance skills. James Constable won the Hook Line and Sing Along competition, a national songwriting contest which is open to all secondary school students. Colours Awards in November saw us celebrating both individual and team success. Nine Rangiora High School students were selected this year to represent New Zealand, the First Fifteen made the New Zealand Co-ed Rugby final, RHS won the mixed grade Target Shooting New Zealand Secondary Schools Postal Competition and the Rogan team were placed 4th in New Zealand to name a few. Our sporting achievements are as always outstanding, producing sports men and women of a very high calibre! However, despite the importance of winning which prevails, so does the ethos ‘having a go’ and ‘fair play’.

Here at Rangiora High School, quite simply we want every individual to try and achieve their very best. Our young people continue to impress me with their loyalty to the school and their willingness to contribute to the life of the school. Our students have been excellent ambassadors in the community whether at mihi whakatau, Anzac day, on trips and camps, and when interacting with our visitors, they can be relied to represent us with pride.

Our school leaders have lead by example. On behalf of the student body, thank you to all our leaders – School Leaders, the House Leaders; Captains; the students on House Executives for your leadership and support of the student body. In particular, I would like to thank Ben, Brianna, Holly, Quintin, and Tom, our 2018 Head Students for all their hard work and representation this year.

Our 2019 Head Students were announced at the Senior Prizegiving. Congratulations to:

•  Head Boy – Lachlan MacFarlane
•  Head Girl – Bex Hughes
•  Deputy Head Students
•  Tegen Bishop
• Lachie James
  
• Jermaine Pepe
  
• Gabrielle Rennie
  

November has also seen Rangiora High School host the annual teacher only day for the schools and early childhood centres belonging to the Puketeraki Kāhui Ako. The Community of Learning continues to grow teacher networks to support our learners in their educational journey from early childhood through primary school into secondary school.

In conclusion I would like to thank most sincerely all the families and whānau who have been involved with Rangiora High School this year, particularly those families whose involvement with the School finishes this year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Karen Stewart

Principal / Tumuaki