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Photo by Peter Blank

Message from the Principal

Judith Taylor —

Last night, we held the 2020 Upper Hutt College Senior Prizegiving at Lane Park, a glorious celebration of student achievement over the year.

In a packed auditorium, with guests including the Minister of Education Chris Hipkins and Mayor Wayne Guppy, we were treated to great entertainment, thoughtful speeches and real emotional moments. The announcement of Dux – Alice Harrison, 2021 Head Students - Shakira Khan and Dhanraj Son, and the winner of the David Te Maipi Memorial Trophy – Kaitlyn Tapuai were highlights of an evening that very much reflected the flavour, and culture of the college, and where the Mission Statement of our school was so visibly seen – that Upper Hutt College is a community, passionate about learning, that encourages pride, participation and excellence.

With our seniors now on exam leave, attending tutorials or at school as part of the Academic Achievement Programme (AOP), there is still a lot happening for our junior students. We are running a trial with our Year 9 Social Studies classes where student agency and collaboration will be a focus, and Ako classes are planning their Manaakitanga projects. The Year 9 Adventure class will be preparing for their 3 day camp, and organisation is well underway for the Junior Activity Day in the last week of the term. We finish the year with the Year 9 and Year 10 Prizegivings, each held separately on the last day of term – Wednesday 9 December – parents, caregivers and wider whanau are invited and encouraged to come along and be part of those events.

We are also preparing and organising for an increased number of Year 9 students joining us in 2021. If you know of anyone who has not yet enrolled their Year 8 student at UHC for 2021, please get them to contact the school office.

We are looking forward to finishing the year on a strong note!

Ngā mihi nui

Judith Taylor

Principal