December 2020 Newsletter

Kia ora Koutou

Today marks the end of the school year and this afternoon we come together after a particularly challenging 2020 to celebrate and acknowledge a large number of our junior students not only for their academic success and effort but also outstanding leadership, citizenship and service. 

They have achieved remarkable things in the face of adversity. 

It’s not just the prize winners who deserve the accolades however- as a school community we have displayed a tremendous amount of resiliency this year and for that reason I think that we are all winners!

There are many things which make me incredibly proud to be the Principal of Riccarton High School. 

One of these is when I receive positive feedback from members of the public regarding the conduct of our young men and women. 

Last week our junior girls and boys volleyball teams travelled to Invercargill to compete in the South Island Championships (you will find the results elsewhere in our newsletter). 

The owners of the accommodation these players occupied for four days recently shared their absolute delight in the way in which our students behaved commenting that they were “by far the best school that they had ever hosted’” who left the facilities “spotlessly clean” when they departed. 

To me, this speaks volumes about the team culture which has been created and the degree to which our students embrace our Riccarton Way values even outside of school. Well done to all involved including our coaching team.

My focus is now starting to turn to 2021 with a number of exciting elements already being planned for. 

In terms of our Redevelopment Project, starting in late January we begin the process of preliminary design work which, as previously mentioned by our Board Chairperson, will see refurbishment of many of our older buildings and the construction not only of a new teaching block but also a new Whare. 

The design phase is likely to take most of next year with actual construction work scheduled to start (in stages) in the second quarter of 2022. We look forward to finally entering the design phase and we will keep you up to date with progress.

Finally, can I wish you a happy and relaxing break over the festive season. I think we all deserve it! I look forward to catching up in 2021.

Mere Kirihimete!

Neil Haywood
Principal