For the week starting 14 May 2012

A special welcome to Mr Greydon Little who joins the mathematics department having taken over from Mrs Gray. Mr Little also has a strong interest in drama and we look forward to his contribution. My thanks to Mrs Maree Basevi and Ms Corlene Greenwood who have been teaching Mrs Gray’s classes in the interim.

For the first three days of this week, Mrs Lockyer and I attended a three day Te Kotahitanga hui in Hamilton. We are now in the sixth year with Te Kotahitanga which has academic achievement of Maori students as its prime objective. There is now very clear evidence, from the research dimension of Te Kotahitanga, that what works well for our Maori students also works very well for our non-Maori students. Consequently, all students have improved achievement.

Our Championship Cross Country was held at Hoteo North on Thursday. This was a challenging course and my congratulations go to the place getters of the different age groups. Many thanks to Mrs Middleton and her team of senior students who were involved with the setting up and the organisation of this event.

Two senior students recently attended a student leadership day called ‘Converge’, organised by the Auckland City Council in conjunction with Bluelight. It included a variety of activities with a highlight being the presentation by Sam Johnson from Christchurch and his contribution to the Christchurch clean up. His message was about “going for what you believe in” and the importance of helping others which can be so rewarding.

Annalyse Blyde has just returned from Australia having competed as a member of the Under 19 New Zealand Western Riding team at the Paint Horse Australian Nationals. Paint horses get their name from their unique pattern and the colour of their coat. The NZ team were placed third overall in the seven day event held in Tamworth, New South Wales

Please note: Teacher only day which had been scheduled for Friday 18 May has been postponed and will now be on FRIDAY 1 JUNE

Dave Ormandy
Principal