Wow! Just like that it is nearly the end of Term 4 2021. Term 4 is always busy, there never seems to be time to get everything done. But somehow students and staff always manage it.

Dear Parents and Caregivers

We started off the term with the house speaking competition. Mansfield came third overall, which is a very respectable result. Our junior speakers were; Eliza Smith and Riley Helps. Both year 9 students, who spoke very well in a tough competition that was dominated by year 10 competitors from other houses. In the senior competition we had Alice Reid and Oliver Burns speaking - again both spoke very well - we were very proud of them. A special mention to Oliver, who stepped you with 5 days notice to compete in the competition.

Next came the junior and senior house quiz. Always a fun competition, where students compete in teams of four. Mansfield came third in the junior quiz and sixth in the senior quiz. All competitors had a great time, there was lots of fun and laughter which was so nice to be part of.

A special congratulations to Rutherford who have won the house cup for 2021. Ms Taylor and myself are very proud of how our students participated in every event that ran. Reflecting on the year we are immensely proud of raising nearly $5000 for child cancer and $5000 for the relay for life in March. Our exec of Malia, Toby, Emma, Caleb, Cady and Maya had a special goal of wanting to be outstanding fundraisers and doing things for others - they have achieved that and more!!

Looking forward to 2022, we are very proud and excited that Harry Gartery of Mansfield has been named as a head student and Alice Reid of Mansfield has been named as one of the deputy head students. We know that they will do great things in these roles, and are looking forward to the Mansfield sparkle they will bring with them.

I was part of the peer support training a couple of weeks ago. We have a great bunch of Year 12 students this year who want to be a part of leading the house in 2022. I look forward to working with them and seeing how they develop into their roles.

A special thanks to all our Wānanga teachers in Mansfield. As you are aware Wānanga was a new initiative that was run at school this year. Our staff took on this role with their usual hard work, dedication and determination. Not an easy task when this was out of our comfort zone for some of us. They have done a great job of looking after the pastoral needs of our tamariki over the year.

Ms Taylor and I would also like to add a special thank you to Mr Chris Quigley who is our deputy principal for Mansfield House. He has guided Shelley and I this year in his normal unflappable style.

Lastly, a thank you to you, the whānau of our students. Who gets them up and dressed everyday, who checks on homework, who takes them to sport or cultural activities etc. We appreciate all you do to help us.

Have a great Christmas and New Year break. See you in Term 1 2022