Nau mai haere mai, and welcome to Week 5 of Term 1. Already we are halfway through this first Term!

The Green Light nears!

The long wait is almost over.  We have this week been awarded the Certificate of Public Use (CPU) for our former J Block or Puwhenua as it has been named.  This building was to be remediated back in 2015, so ten years on we are almost there. The remediation works were both for weather tightness and earthquake strengthening.  Once the last of the defects have been completed, we hope to have floor two occupied the week after next and then subsequent floors following close behind.  There are several logistics to enable this to happen, so we are working with several contractors to enable a smooth shift into Pūwhenua and out of our temporary spaces whilst ensuring learning disruptions are kept to a minimum. An official blessing of the building is planned for Term 2.

Student leaders celebrations

Congratulations to our Student Leadership Team (Kaitiakiawhina) who were formally introduced at our first full school assembly last week and for whom we have had a celebratory breakfast with their whaanau this week.  What an amazing group of talented wahine!!

Dame Lynley Dodd - TGC Alumnae

On Friday 28th February 10 members of the TGC Writers’ Club accompanied by Teacher Ms. Webb had the distinct pleasure of attending a panel discussion between Dame Lynley Dodd and the British High Commissioner Iona Thomas OBE. Our ākonga gained many valuable insights into the writing process, drafting, and publishing requirements for getting their work off the ground, and asked many insightful and considered questions. Dame Dodd is an alumnus of Tauranga College and made mention of this and her affection for her alma mater during the panel, to the delight of the TGC group. We were privileged to acquire a signed copy of the Complete Works of Hairy Maclary, Dame Dodd’s most beloved and enduring character. The panel was an affirming experience for our young writers and afterward, we were told that Dame Dodd and Ms Thomas were very impressed with the group’s questions and engagement. After the panel, we remained at the library for a writers’ workshop which certainly reflected the wonderful tips and ideas shared by Dame Dodd. TGC Writers’ Club would like to thank Tauranga City Libraries for facilitating this marvelous and inspiring outing.

School Spirit Events

We have now completed two of our major school spirit events.  Athletics at the domain and Swimming sports at school.  These events provide opportunities for students to engage in both competitive and fun events whilst enjoying the company of friends and of course, earning valuable house points. Please ensure that if your young person is unwell or unable to attend, you contact the school.  Houses are awarded points for students' attendance at these events, and unjustified absences will count against your young person's or daughter's attendance record.

Attendance does matter and it has consequences

You can check your young person or daughter's attendance through the parent portal.  We appreciate that there will be genuine reasons for absence and your notification of these to us is appreciated.

Health and Safety 

Each term we conduct an emergency procedure such as a lockdown or earthquake drill.  Be assured that we do these so that in the case of a real event, we can be prepared as much as possible and thus minimise any confusion.  

Expectations whilst at school

As we continue through this term, please ensure your daughter or young person respects our school's values and maintains their high standards and expectations in and around the school. This includes the phone-free kura, jewellery, uniform, and behaviour expectations.

Our College's values or uara provide the basis upon which our expectations are built.

My visits in and around the school

I have enjoyed visiting classes over the last fortnight, prioritising meeting our new Year 9 students first.  The classes I have visited have been settled, engaged, and a pleasure to talk with.  During some intervals and lunchtimes, I have also appreciated engaging with students who are also enjoying being phone free, talking with friends or engaging in lunchtime activities.  

It is also wonderful to see students involved in summer codes and also those who have put their names forward to be on committees or to join clubs offered by student leaders and teachers.  We expect all students to be involved in extracurricular activities for both well-being, developing new friendships outside of class time, and being with other like-minded students. There are many opportunities on offer, such as in sports, the arts, cultural events, or academic pursuits.

Presiding Member re-elected by the Board

Congratulations to Mariana Tapsell who has been re-elected as our Presiding Member of our Board for 2025.  This was a unanimous decision.  Mariana brings a depth of experience, rigour, and inclusion to our Board.  Tristan Hewitt is our Deputy Presiding Member and he also chairs our Finance Committee.  I wish to personally thank each and every member of our Board for the time and commitment they put into serving our school and its community.

Best wishes for the final 5 weeks of this term, if you blink you will miss discovering all that TGC has to offer. It is never too late to give new opportunities a go.  Those who do not only make a difference to themselves, and their friends, but give back to our school and its community through ideas, service, and engagement.   TGC IS a place of discovery!                                                                                      

Tara Kanji

Tumuaki/Principal