Message from the Principal

By Andrew Hunter | Posted: Thursday May 11, 2023

There's much to celebrate and be proud of in this newsletter. Well done to everyone for making such a positive start to the term!

Kia ora e te whānau

We are well and truly into our stride this term. Our focus on Science has seen classes busy building skills and knowledge in a number of science areas. It is great to see so much engagement and new learning happening. This will develop into Project Based Learning opportunities later in the term as students put their knowledge and skills to work.

Recently, both Year 7 and 8 groups have benefitted from the expertise of Otago Museum educators. The Museum is a wonderful education and community resource. You may be aware that the Museum is facing some potential financial headwinds. Unless more DCC funding is found, this will result in a loss of jobs and therefore service to schools. We sincerely hope that the DCC is able to fund the Museum to ensure  future programme delivery.

I had the pleasure of sitting in with our kapa haka roopu this week. Numbering over 100 students, it was great to see the excellent learning and engagement taking place. It demonstrates the high interest our students have in learning te reo and tikanga māori in a fun and supportive environment. It's a team effort, with a number of staff working together to make it happen. 

Speaking of support, we acknowledge and thank the parent coaches and managers who have committed to helping our winter sports programme. Thank you for giving your time and energy to support our students, it's much appreciated. 

We are currently in the midst of some building work. Rooms 13 and 14 have received a full interior upgrade with work due to be completed in around 3 weeks time. Along with this, we are in the process of upgrading our student toilet blocks. Fully refurbed and refitted, we know that the end result will provide excellent facilities for our students.


Ngā mihi nui

Andrew Hunter