Haere mai and welcome to the 2022 school year.

Kia ora koutou, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula, Kumusta and warm greetings to our Linwood College community,

I would like to use this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Sig Koop, and I am the Year 10 Dean at Linwood College this year. I am looking forward to working together with whānau, students and staff to support our ākonga's learning and well-being. This year, the Junior deaning has changed from four house deans to two year level deans being in charge of the pastoral and learning needs of the Year 9 and 10 learners. I was fortunate to get to know some of the Year 10 students and their whānau in my previous role as the Year 9/10 Waiporoporo house dean. Pania Watson, the Year 9 Dean, Nicole Eastwick, the Junior Assistant Dean and I work closely with our kaiārahi (ako teachers) to support our students with this term’s focus on attendance and uniform as well as their learning and pastoral needs for a successful year at our school.

It is great to see that the Year 10 classes have settled in well this year and completed some excellent mahi. As a Year 10 Social Studies teacher, I am impressed with the focus and engagement seen in my classes. Outside the classroom, students have taken up a wide range of leadership and sports opportunities including house leader and student council roles. I look forward to seeing the Year 10 students grow over this year and contributing to our school culture.

The start of the next term brings exciting change with our move back to Aldwins Road and the opening of Te Aratai College. You may have seen the recent announcement of Te Tohu o Te Aratai, the logo of our new school, which is an exciting outlook on what is ahead of us at our purpose-built kura and brand new learning spaces.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s kaiārahi in the first instance or me either via email koo@linwoodcollege.school.nz or cell phone 022 027 3587

To all our Year 10 ākonga and whānau, stay safe and well.

Ngā mihi nui

Sig Koop, Year 10 Dean.

Nicole Eastwick, Junior Assistant Dean