2020, the year that has kept on giving, it will be great to get it behind us, so that we can move onto a new phase in the journey of Tauhara College in 2021. It was not enough that our year was disrupted by a worldwide pandemic, as we concluded with another closure due to excessive water damage to our tired building spaces. Special thanks goes to our whanau and broader community who have supported us during this recent crisis.

There are no rule books or guides for these scenarios but we are very fortunate that our Tumuaki, Mr Hancock, has tackled this challenge head on and has been terrifically supported by his senior staff and leadership team. The Board are grateful also for our administrative staff continuing with their work to conclude the school year, in spite of countless expert advisors interrupting their workspace, as they assess the extent of the damage. With focused determination, we will commence our school year in 2021. It is planned that pre-fabricated teaching spaces will be up and running with additional facilities to accommodate our rangatahi.

Our usual pre-covid array of sporting, arts, culture and academic achievements have not been able to be celebrated as we have so enjoyed in the past. While some of our rangatahi have enjoyed success in their fields of endeavour, many have been marred by cancellations and an inability to travel to pursue their goals. For those endeavours that were able to take place, we remain truly grateful to whanau who supported our students and gave of their time to coach, cheerlead and fundraise to give our rangitahi the best opportunity to participate and enjoy success.

We all conclude this year a little weary and possibly still a little shell shocked that our world could be suddenly turned upside down. In a time when we couldn’t come together to comfort one another, we found new ways of connecting and our world view is forever changed. And while a worldwide pandemic is not a learning experience anyone would wish for, our students will be richer, wiser and more resilient for it. Their opportunity is to take this crisis, follow their passion and develop our new normal into something that was better than before.

Finally, it has been a privilege to serve as your Board Chair over the past 4 and a half years, a new Board will take office with 3 newly elected parent members on December 11. May the new Board show courage and commitment as they face a challenging but exciting start to 2021. May they continue to work from a place of care and support Mr Hancock to realise the full potential of our wonderful kura. Kia Kaha!

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou
Seasons Greetings and all the very best for the New Year.

Julie Yeoman
Board Chair