We are at the halfway point in the term and as I write my comments our colleagues in schools throughout the Nelson region are dealing with further closures and disruption to 2022 brought about by the one in one hundred year flooding which occurred last week. Our thoughts go out to those people affected by this event.

Within Riccarton High School, we are once again lucky that we have been able to maintain normal routines including being able to continue with a busy school calendar both inside and outside of the classroom. In the sporting sense, as the winter season draws to a conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people involved in sport throughout the season - from players, coaches and managers through to referees and supporters. Of course, our Sports Co-ordinator, Angus Gourlay, does a wonderful job with organising such a vast range of sports and giving our students a range of opportunities.

Still on the theme of sport, our annual exchange with Kaikorai Valley College in Dunedin takes on a different look this week with approximately 100 students from both schools meeting at the Alpine Sports Centre in Timaru for a day of competition. Although under a different format this year due to COVID-19, it is great that we can still connect with a school that we have had an association with since 1958.

Next week sees four RHS teams playing away from Christchurch as part of Winter Tournament Week with Basketball in Invercargill and Dunedin, netball in Timaru and hockey in Ashburton. We wish our students well and thank the adults who are accompanying them - a week can be a long time in a team environment!

Academically speaking you would have already received communication from us regarding the decision by NZQA to once again award recognition credits to those students studying for their NCEA. Although this should assist with reducing anxiety around not having enough credits in another COVID-19 affected year, it is important that our students do not become too complacent and reduce their efforts in the last 8 weeks of school before external exams begin.

With regard to academic progress, a reminder that you have an opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers at our second Student Achievement Interview Day on 6th September. You would have already received information on how to book appointments. I look forward to seeing you at school throughout the day.

Noho ora mai.

Neil Haywood

PRINCIPAL