Principal's news

“O le ala i le pule o le tautua” - the pathway to leadership is through service.

The Samoan proverb, "O le ala i le pule o le tautua" (The pathway to leadership is through service), has profoundly shaped my approach to leadership over the past 20 years. More importantly, it describes exactly what I witness in my colleagues every single day as they educate our students, your children.

True service at an intermediate school extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom. Our staff continuously step up to look after the "whole child," seamlessly shifting between the roles of educator, coach, manager, mentor, and pastoral caregiver. Whether leading school camps, coordinating kapa haka, directing the school production, or facilitating initiatives like the 40 Hour Famine, our team works tirelessly to ensure Balmacewen students have access to a rich, well-rounded education. We are incredibly fortunate to have a staff so deeply committed to providing these vital opportunities outside of their core teaching roles.

On that note, it is a pleasure to celebrate some outstanding achievements and service across our sporting and cultural landscape:

• Stepping in: Thank you Seth Dowman and Aspen Ludlow for your decision to step in and assist a student from another school when they needed help. Doing the right thing when no one is watching is the epitome of service.

• Otago Tag Tournament: A massive congratulations to Alex Buttery, Jeff Lima, and our Year 7 & 8 girls' teams who competed in the Otago Tag Tournament, ultimately taking home the overall championship title.

• Winter Sports Underway: Our Basketball and Netball seasons are now officially in full swing. Our basketball teams are three weeks in and already tasting significant success on the court, while our netballers are out in force representing the school with pride.

• A Community Effort: Bringing these programs to life requires an immense logistical effort. My sincere thanks to Jane Hendry (Teacher in Charge of Basketball) and Janine Southby (Teacher in Charge of Netball), alongside the numerous staff and parent volunteers who keep our teams running smoothly.

• Stepping Up: I would also like to acknowledge Kano Gough for his efforts refereeing our basketball teams on Monday nights, and Levi Gillan for volunteering his time to coach our Year 8 Boys C basketball team.

• An Incredible Milestone: Finally, I want to extend a special acknowledgement to Mary Brady, who has entered into her 20th year of coaching and mentoring our netball umpires. This is a monumental milestone of voluntary service. I know I speak for our entire school community when I thank Mary for her enduring dedication to our students.

Thank you all for your ongoing support as we work together to keep standards high, look after our people, and celebrate the small and large wins that make Balmacewen such a vibrant place to learn.

Nāku noa,

Corey Todd

Principal

Tumuaki