Kia ora whanau

As the year draws to a close, things are certainly not getting any quieter. Firstly, well done to all those senior students who applied themselves so diligently to their NCEA examinations. We have no doubt your hard work will reap its rewards come the publication of results in mid-January. Secondly, to the juniors who worked hard for your recent examinations – well done. We look forward to sharing in your success at the Junior prizegiving next week. Speaking of the junior school, we have one Year 10 camp heading away next week and the others along with the Year 9 activities programme happening from December 5 – 7. It is the expectation that all our junior students are either involved in a camp or if not, they are required to be at school.

Over the past three weeks there has been some staff movement. Sadly, Ryan Westgate is leaving us at the end of the year. Ryan has been an outstanding Head of English for the past three years. He and his wife Sara are taking on the new challenge of running an early childhood centre in Rangiora. We wish them every success. Also, Kara Cox has accepted a position at St Kevin’s and will also leave us at the end of the year. Kara’s positivity will certainly be missed, and we wish her all the best. Trix Cox will be joining the Social Sciences Department. Trix is from England and her most recent teaching position was as the Assistant Head of Department at Green Bay High School in Auckland. We also welcome Paddy Ou who will be joining the Physical Education Department. Paddy is just completing his teaching diploma at the Dunedin College of Education. We are very much looking forward to both Trix and Paddy further strengthening our team for 2023.The Year level Deans have been appointed for 2023 and are as follows. Year 9 – Ben Winders; Year 10 – Ben Aberhart; Year 11 – John Robinson; Year 12 – Daniel Childerley and Year 13 – Tony Blackbeard.

I have to say with an ‘eye’ to 2023 it is set to be a great year. I have had the absolute pleasure of interviewing over 50 of our new entrants and we have an outstanding cohort of Year 9’s coming to our school in 2023. Along with this I have today met with our 2023 prefect group, and they have some great ideas to improve our school. The Head Boy’s also look set to bring a fantastically complimentary set of skills to the school. It is an exciting time.

As has been emailed out to you, there are a number of important events to take note of over the next fortnight. Next Monday 28th November is a teacher only day so the boys are not required at school. On Thursday 30th November there is a PPTA paid union meeting from 9 – 11am. The boys are not required to be at school until the start of Period 3 at 11.20am. Next Friday 2nd December is our end of year Junior prizegiving which begins at 9am and is expected to be finished by 10.30am. You are not only more than welcome to attend but encouraged to do so. As stated earlier the last week of school starting on Monday 5th December is our camps and activities week. All boys are expected to participate.

Our staff whakatauki for this week was “Ko mahi, ko kai. Ko noho, ko iri” which in English means “Industry is food, idleness is hunger”. The sentiment is that it is best to stay busy, which is especially important at this time of the year when the ‘finishing line’ is well insight. We appreciate your support in ensuring that your sons do remain focussed over the next fortnight. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and thanks for your support of the school.

We are a brotherhood, proud of our school.

“He teina whakahihi matou ki to matou kura”

Floreat Waitakia

Darryl Paterson