Principal's Word - Term 1 Week 8

Kia ora everyone,

The school has been buzzing with activity this week with winter sport about to swing into action. On Monday I took our Head and Deputy Prefects to Roncalli College to participate in a Leadership day where they heard inspirational speakers and got to network with other head students from the Aoraki cluster of schools. Unfortunately we had to cancel our Level 2 Geography trip that was due to head out on Monday as the weather was not cooperating. We will try to reschedule this at another time. On Wednesday I attended the Waimate District Council Civic Awards with our Deputy Prefects, Lexis and Danelle, as Katelyn Ronson, from Year 13 last year, received the Youth Award in recognition of the voluntary work she undertook during her time at Waimate High School. 

Yesterday, I was walking around the school at lunchtime watching students doing hockey practice, mini-ball practice and then after school I went to watch the netball at the Events Centre.  Today our Touch team is off to Christchurch to compete in the South Island Secondary School tournament so best wishes to them. Our Level 2 Biology class has travelled to Timaru today to complete some assessment work on their "Rocky Shore" assessment.

Next week is just as busy with our Outdoor Ed students away on a camp and our Year 7's travel to Gunns Bush for their first camp.  Also, next Thursday, we are taking 50 students to the South Island Agricultural Field Days in Kirwee. I'm really excited about this trip as I will be going with the students!  Our teachers work hard making sure our students have lots of opportunities and I am always grateful to them for going above and beyond for our students. 

Finally, you may have read in the media that secondary school teachers are currently voting on whether to take further industrial action as they continue to negotiate with the Ministry on their pay and conditions. There is potential for them to have a second strike day which could occur next Wednesday 29th March. This will not be confirmed until Sunday morning. As soon, as I know, I will be in touch via email and our Facebook page. If the strike is confirmed then we will close the school as we did during the first strike. 

Have a great weekend,

Jo