Our kura, along with the entire globe, has been through the most extraordinary and unprecedented time since earlier this year, when we first heard of corona virus in Wuhan, China. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has been deeply felt and continues to impact every one of us, as we navigate our way to a new normal. From toilet paper to hand sanitiser, who would have ever imagined that in a crisis you couldn't come together and hug your family and friends, especially in their time of need. As a Board, we understand that whanau have had a broad range of experiences during this time and continue to cope with factors outside their control. We encourage you to keep the school informed as to any circumstances that may be impacting your child's learning, we are all in this together.
The Board wish to acknowledge the outstanding work by Mr McCreery and his team of leaders, together with our broader teaching and support staff, who all worked magnificently to shut the school down suddenly and then to deliver online learning and re-open the school as we moved through level 3 and 2. I am aware of staff who went over and above to ensure materials were available to students.The Board continued with their work during lock down and completed the Principal recruitment process with the appointment of Ben Hancock, an ex-student, as Principal of Tauhara College, commencing in Term 4. We are grateful for the expert assistance we received from Graeme McFayden who supported us through the process. Ben is currently Deputy Principal at Kaitaia College and he is very excited to return to Taupo and give back to the community he grew up in. We are fortunate to have the continued services of Mr McCreery in Term 3.
The Board thank Chris Page for her loyal service to Tauhara College over the last 12 years. Chris has performed many tasks for the Board in this time and we have been very grateful for her reliable and efficient work, to assist us perform our role to best practice standard. We wish you all the very best in your retirement Chris! You will be missed. A warm welcome to Lynnette Braithwaite who takes over from Chris. It is still said often but remains such an important underlying premise for humankind - be kind. Good will come of this - if not just an improvement in basic hygiene standards that will help avoid transmission of everyday illnesses. And we will always remain grateful for free access to our local park and a swim in the lake when we want and similar basic freedoms that we lost during lock down. Continue to keep safe everyone, stay well and look after one another.
Nga mihi nui Julie Yeoman
Board Chair