Kia ora parents and whanau,

It was a pleasure to support our students in a variety of activities and events last weekend from water polo to Mana Pounamu to Athletics and the Sports, Cultural and Service Blues. It was a tangible reminder of the diversity amongst our students – their interest and abilities, and how fortunate we are to have staff so willing to give of their time and energies in assistance.

There was a real mix of emotions on Tuesday as we farewelled our Year 13 students. The class of ’22 have been resilient and persistent, hard working and collaborative and they have modelled for all of us the grit required to thrive during three COVID disrupted years of NCEA.

Their final day prank summed them up beautifully actually – fun, thoughtful, clever, inclusive, doing no harm and always respectful. We wish them and the Year 12’s all the best for their external examinations and look forward to celebrating the year with them at the Leavers Service and Prizegiving on the 7th December.

The prizegiving is a formal, full school event and the expectation is that all students attend, and parents and whanau are most welcome. It is a time for us to come together as a school community, juniors and seniors, and acknowledge the hard work and achievements of our students, farewell our Year 13s and thank our staff. We were unable to have our traditional prizegiving last year, and are delighted that we will be able to welcome everyone back to the Edgar Centre this year.

The weeks ahead are packed with learning and activities that extend the opportunities for our akonga, and I did want to bring your attention to days when we will be closed for instruction.

The 21st November and 2nd December are nationally mandated NCEA Accord days for staff, and school will not be open for instruction on those days. Tolcarne will be open for all boarders.

The 28th November, school will finish at 12.50pm, so staff can attend the PPTA Paid Union Meeting being held for all Otago members.

I am excited for the Year 10’s as they head away to Tautuku on Monday and know that our Year 11 students will make the most of the opportunity that their NCEA externals will present.

It is a busy term and there is more information on upcoming events in other sections of this newsletter.

Ngā mihi nui

Jackie Barron