Greetings to families and friends of Waimea College

Term 1 has been dominated by the impacts of COVID and managing the current Omicron outbreak. 

Our staffing situation remains very tentative with a number of teachers absent due to illness or isolation, however it is pleasing that we have been able to return to our usual timetable in recent days without the need to roster home year levels for on-line distance learning. We will continue to monitor staffing levels carefully and will advise 

A big thanks to parents, caregivers and students for your support as we navigated our way through the challenges that COVID brought to schooling during the term. 

Year 9 Camps
We are very pleased that Year 9 Camps to Rotoiti Lodge Outdoor Education Centre will commence next week, with many students extremely excited to be attending. These camps build the rich and diverse culture of the school and create life-long memories and experiences. 

Shakespeare Festival
Unfortunately, COVID has impacted upcoming events again this year and regrettably, we have had to cancel the Shakespeare Festival that was scheduled for this weekend at Waimea College. 

However, all entries can now be submitted by video so our groups will still have the opportunity to perform and participate in the competition.  The Performing Arts team will work through how to share these performances with us. 

AgHort Garden
With the turn of the season we are now able to start planting our AgHort Garden which was completed over the summer holidays. We are very much looking forward to seeing this grow and flourish over the coming weeks and months.

School Uniform
As we head into the colder months of the year, we are starting to see a number of non-regulation uniform items being worn to school. I’d be very grateful for your support at home to encourage our students to wear the correct uniform.

Key Dates
We are into the final few weeks of Term 1, 2022 with the last day being Thursday, 14 April before the Easter weekend. I wish you all the best for a great Easter break and I trust that you all get to enjoy some family time.

· 15-30 April - School Holidays

· 15-19 April - Easter Holidays (within School Holidays)

· 25 April - ANZAC Day observed (within School Holidays)

· 2 May - Term 2 Starts

COVID Update

We are seeing a significant rise in positive cases within the region and that is reflected in our school community numbers.  At time of writing we have 76 active cases and 258 students isolating.

Principal's Sabbatical Term 2

I am fortunate to have been selected for a Teach NZ Secondary Principal's Sabbatical for Term 2, 2022. Principal Sabbaticals provide 10 school weeks paid leave to undertake professional learning activities and reflection. The focus for my sabbatical project during this time will centre around strategies to improve levels of student attendance, engagement and achievement. 

Our Associate Principal Graeme Smith will step into the Principal role during Term 2. The Senior Leadership team will be supported by Ms Jenny Kneale who will step into an Associate Deputy Principal role for the term. 

All the very best for the balance of Term 1 and for a restful and relaxing time over the term break. 

Semper Contendite,

Scott Haines

Principal