Kia ora Whānau

Where has Term 1 gone? It is hard to believe that we only have 16 teaching days until the end of the term. Since my last newsletter 3 weeks ago there has been so much going on.

Firstly, we would like to congratulate Trix Cox and her partner Lance on the birth last Sunday of a baby girl Orla Netty Newth-Cox. Orla arrived into the world a little early but both Mum and baby are doing very well.

I would also like to wish Bhupendra Singh all the very best. He left us at the end of last week for Auckland at a job at Kaipara College. Many boys may not be aware as he wanted to keep his departure low key. His classes will be covered internally until after Easter when Kelvin Furze will be employed as a long-term reliever. Bhupendra has gone to join his wife who had secured employment earlier in the year and his children. In his short time here, Bhupendra made a very positive impression with his engaging personality.

Also today is the final day for one of our cleaning staff Bonnie Liang. Many will not be familiar with our cleaning team who do a fantastic job as obviously their hours are mostly after school. Bonnie has been cleaning for the past year in the Technology and Science blocks. We wish her all the best.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Wanaka Show along with Josh Ratcliff and 3 of our students - Henry Hope (Year 9), Billy Wilson (Year 12) and Head Boy Cade Hamilton. We were extremely fortunate to have a fantastic site and got to meet a large number of school supporters and also a good number of prospective students. A highlight of the trip (it is becoming an annual event) was the Old Boys’ function at Deans Hudson’s home on the Friday evening. Deans was Co-Head Boy in 1971. Thanks also to Barry Johnston who organised the function. There were nearly 50 Old Boys' in attendance, and I know the current boys were overwhelmed with the sense of ‘brotherhood’ that has been maintained through friendship for over 60 years in some instances. I know many of you will be reading this – thanks once again for your great company and support of our school. Floreat Waitakia!

It's also pleasing to finally have some progress on the property front around school. Renovations of the Maths block toilets have begun and in the next school holidays the renovation of the Art room will take place before F6 and the Art courtyard is then refurbished. In the September holidays a new toilet block south of the Oval is being built. It is still the expectation that work in the Hall of Memories will begin by September at the latest.

Congratulations to a number of current and ex-students who were celebrated at the recent Waitaki Sports Awards – Old Boy Jeremy Paisley took out the Junior Sportsman of the year. We were also extremely proud of our other finalists - Ian Tacchini (Disabled Athlete of the year), Jett Rogers and Lochlan McLaren as part of the Oamaru Club U17 Rowing Four (Team of the Year), Mason Matthews (Male Emerging talent), Old Boy Rhyan Griffiths (Official of the Year) and Old Boy Hamish Elliot (Sportsman of the Year).

Special mention must also go to Old Boy Nathan Smith, who left school in 2016. He has just been named as the Domestic Cricketer of the year for his performances for Wellington over the summer. It can’t be too long before Nathan becomes our next Cricketing international star!

Good luck to all those boys representing the school next week in summer tournament week. Our Rowers are off to the Maadi Cup in Twizel, our 3x3 Basketballers are at the South Island Champs in Ashburton, our Junior Cricket XI are off to the national championships in Palmerston North, our Mountain Bikers are at the South Island Champs in Dunedin, and our 1st XI Cricketers are off to the Gillette Cup regional qualifying in Dunedin. It is wonderful to have so many boys involved at a regional and national level. All the best boys, and thanks to all those staff and parents for looking after them.

It is with a disappointing tone that I regretfully finish this newsletter. There have been a number of unfortunate incidents recently of bullying, physical violence and intimidation. A number of boys have either been suspended or stood down as a consequence of their actions. We have a zero- tolerance policy for any such types of behaviour and we will deal with any student who endangers the safety of another in the most appropriate manner. All students have the right to feel safe at school and rest assured that the safety of your son is our primary concern.

As always, thanks for your continuing support and have a great weekend.

He waka eke noa

Floreat Waitakia

Darryl Paterson