It's wonderful to have everyone back and the school buzzing with energy!

Students and staff have made an incredibly positive start to the year, creating a truly uplifting atmosphere.

The year has started with several activities already. Below are a few of the highlights so far!

Year 9 Orientation: Our Year 9 students enjoyed a fantastic orientation, including fun activities at the beach. This helped them bond with classmates and get to know the school environment.

Year 13 Leadership: Our Year 13 students participated in leadership days, developing the skills they need to lead and inspire. We look forward to seeing them step into their roles as senior students.

Year 9 Whanau BBQ: The Year 9 Whanau BBQ was a great success with a wonderful turnout. It was a lovely evening spent on the lawn, connecting and building community.

Welcome to Our New Students and Staff!

We are delighted to welcome seven new staff members to our Kura. Each brings a unique experience and passion, enriching our learning community. You will read about them in an article in this newsletter.

We are also delighted to welcome 30 new students, into years 10-13, who have joined us from a variety of places! We hope they quickly settle into our kura, find their place, and connect with their people. We're thrilled to have you as part of our community!

We warmly welcome our new staff and students and wish them all the best as they settle in! It was a special experience to welcome them to our Kura at the Mihi Whakatau.

Update on Principal's Recovery

We're pleased to report that our Principal, Deb Hales, continues to make progress in her recovery from a head injury and is following a return-to-work plan.

Mrs Annabelle Quinonez therefore continues as Acting Deputy Principal and I will continue as Acting Principal until Ms Hales returns.

House Athletics: A Successful Day of Competition and Tradition!

Our first House event, Athletics, was a resounding success at Aorangi Stadium! Mr. Dawson spoke at assembly about the history of athletics and the legacy our students are part of which set a wonderful tone for the day.

Congratulations to all participants especially those who achieved outstanding results. A summary will be provided in another article in this newsletter.

Celebrating Academic Achievement in NCEA

We are incredibly proud of all the students who achieved Excellence and Merit endorsements in their NCEA results! We will acknowledge their achievements at an upcoming assembly.

A special mention goes to Rebecca Kidd, who gained a Scholarship in English, placing her in the top 5% of students in her cohort nationwide. Congratulations, Rebecca, on this outstanding achievement!

More Opportunities to Come This Term!

This has been a good start to the year, and there are many more exciting opportunities and House events on the horizon! We look forward to Swimming Sports and House Choirs this term. There are also plenty of music, cultural, and sporting opportunities coming up. Stay informed about these events by reading the school notices!

Learning Culture in Full Swing!

Learning is underway in all areas of the school with a variety of field trips and learning opportunities happening. Our learning culture is important, and we are committed to providing our students with engaging, relevant, and challenging learning experiences that cater to diverse interests and abilities. A positive mindset is important for students to approach new challenges and persevere through difficulties. We encourage students to embrace a growth mindset, viewing failures as opportunities for learning and growth. Through collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, we aim to equip our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We believe that by fostering a love of learning and a belief in their own potential, we can empower our students to become lifelong learners and active contributors to society.