Tolcarne Report
Here we are at the end of our first term. 11 weeks of all things new - the city, friends, school and experiences. All of our new students have done a fabulous job of settling in and finding the grit to get through times that have been a bit more difficult. We have loved getting to know everyone better and seeing them grow a new sense of independence. Remember to continue to be kind to yourself and keep taking it day by day 
We sure know how to jam pack everything into a term, so lets have a look back on some of the things we’ve been up to…
The Year 9 students arrived and their buddies whisked them off, saying goodbye to parents and getting ready to be fully immersed in the new Tolcarne lifestyle. Robyn kept everyone busy with Orientation Week, having all sorts of different activities and outings. It didn’t take long for the girls to settle in and day to day hostel life has now become the norm!
Valentine’s Day came around and the juniors woke to their hallway decorated top to bottom with all things pink and red. The Head Boarders worked alongside the Boarding Leaders to bring the ‘love’ that morning. There was even hot chocolate on offer, the perfect way to start your day! These celebrations were complete with Valentine’s Day cupcake making with Annelies. The group of juniors loved getting to ice, cut fondant and get creative with their designs, before eating or gifting these to someone within the hostel!
Ziggy has done a great job of getting our Tribe spirit going this year. It has been a bit harder to all join together for our usual Tribe dinners, but we have been able to have successful junior and senior sittings. The juniors were able to head Ten Pin Bowling in Week 6, where we had the whole alley to ourselves, battling it out to get the most Tribe points! In Week 10 we were able to hold a full hostel dinner, with an increase of numbers allowed - the first dinner all together for our Year 9 students.
To finish off Tribe activities for the term, we headed to Rialto Cinemas to watch King Richard. With around 120 boarders, it was a big outing for us! It was inspiring to see the life Serena and Venus Williams lived, leading up to their successful tennis careers. What inspirational, dedicated and powerful women!
Koru has been up and running for both the Year 9 and 10 groups this term. We have had a focus on gratitude for the Year 10s and the Year 9 students have started with a taster of what is to come. We finished Year 9 Koru on Tuesday evening by sharing our ‘Life Maps’. It was lovely to hear the important events in everyone's lives, what has shaped them as a person and what they aspire to do in the future. Robyn and I also shared ours, which (by the looks on their faces) they seemed to learn a bit about us too!! We look forward to continuing Koru in Term 2.
Bex has organised another term of fun activities for the juniors to get involved in. Unfortunately the weather didn’t always play part, however there were great alternatives planned. A few of the highlights included surfing, paddle boarding, the Moeraki trip and Laser Tag. Check out our latest version of the Tolcarne Trumpet, for a report on the activities from Vanessa and Sophie!
I have loved working with the juniors this term for our weekly after school activities, it has been a great chance to get to know everyone better. We have been out to the beach, had a picnic in the park, completed our ‘Master Chef Mystery Box’ challenge, baked, had pool parties, made jewellery and more! It has been great to see the students expressing their creativity through these activities, along with taking trips to new areas within Dunedin. I am already looking forward to what we can get involved with next term!
With Easter approaching, it was fitting to have our Easter activities in the final few weeks of term. The kitchen team put together an incredible themed dinner, complete with Ross himself serving tea as a bunny! The Easter egg hunt was crazy as always, with lots of noise and excitement as everyone rushed to find the most eggs and golden bunnies. The juniors had the opportunity to complete Easter activities with Robyn and I - from crafts and cards to cupcakes and cookies. This was a feel good way to end the term and celebrate Easter together.
Next term we have lots to look forward to… A new range of weekend and after school activities, Open Day door decorating (which I would start thinking about now, because let me tell you - there are some awesome prizes up for grabs!), our Tolcarne Pink Ribbon Breakfast (remember to bring back a gold coin donation and the BEST pink outfit) and of course the biggest event on the Year 12 and 13 social calendar, the senior formal! This will be the hype of conversation in the first few weeks, planning outfits, hair styles and of course, where to get the perfect fake tan. I can already envisage tan looking students down the corridors, of course followed by the signature scent of Bondi Sands… If you know, you know!!
From all of the Tolcarne team, a massive thank you to our students, hostel whānau and wider community. It has been a term of all things new for everyone, so we thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we worked through procedures and Government guidelines. I am sure there will be more ‘new’ to come, but for now it is the holidays! Have the most amazing break with your family, friends and animals. Enjoy time at home and recharge your batteries for what will be another hectic term! We look forward to seeing you all back on Sunday the 1st of May - Happy holidays!!
