Term 1 - Week 2

Tēnā koutou,

Unsurprisingly, there will be a number of tired teenagers (and teachers) at the end of our first full week.  School is well and truly into the swing of things now.

With the release of results for the 2024 scholarship examinations, we are again seeing reward for the hard work of our Year 13 students. Four scholarships were awarded, with two going to Nicholas Steed - one in Biology and one in English!  Gabby Donald received one in History, and Paige O’Sullivan was awarded one in Health and Physical Education.  Nga mihi nui ki a koutou! (well done to all of you!)

On Tuesday, we announced our 2025 House Leaders.  It is with delight that we can publicly announce the following students as House Leaders for their respective houses:
Ngauruhoe House
Ashton Giles, Abbie Dance, Grace Hura, and Daniel Morrison
Ruapehu House
Luka Ewert, Jayde Pearson-Healey, Cameron Purvis, Stan Zabala
Tauhara House
Ryan Hume, Patrick Fowler, Maddy Robertson, Tyla Dawson
Tongariro House
Holly Bolton, Austin Gibson, Amber Stephenson, Kobi Spence
Ka mau te wehi, team! (awesome/fantastic!)

In this week’s newsletter I will be providing an update on school-wide events which are taking place this term.

• Thursday 27 February - Colours Day.  This is our annual athletics and sports day, filled with colour and vibrancy.  Our expectation is that every student attends and participates.
• Monday 3 March - School Photos
  
• Wednesday 5 March - All day Year 9 Head Start program ending with Year 9 BBQ in the evening.  We warmly welcome all parents/whānau of our Year 9 students to interact with their teachers and other staff.
  
• Thursday 6 March - Athletics finals day.  Students who qualify during Colours Day participate in our finals day.
  
• School Production - Auditions for our bi-ennial school production are well underway.  This year we will present the musical, Mamma Mia.  The production itself will take place in week four of term two.
  
• Whānau interviews - We are trialling a new model for whānau interviews in 2025.  Instead of closing school for the day, we will have interview slots available on Monday and Wednesday of week eight and nine from 3:20-4:30 pm
  
• Easter and ANZAC fall within the April school holidays in 2025.
  

I need to send a reminder about our school skirt.  We now have two skirt options as part of our school uniform - a pleated skirt (with front pleats) and a straight skirt (with side pleats). They can be viewed here. These two skirts are the only options as part of our school uniform. These skirts are to remain unaltered and should be worn unrolled.  These messages will be reinforced with our students. We value your support in helping us to reinforce these messages.

Have an awesome weekend!

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

Sporting News

Winter Sport Information: 
Hockey
SKILL AND DRILLS- Monday 17th, 24th February - 5:30pm-7:00pm
TRIALS- Monday 3rd March - Time TBC
 
Basketball- For those wanting to play competitively, there will be sign ups for social teams later
Senior Boys - Tuesday 18th February, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Junior Boys - Tuesday 24th February, 5:00pm-6:30pm
 
Netball- For those wanting to play competitively, there will be sign ups for social teams later
SKILLS AND DRILLS
Monday 3rd & 10th March, 3:30-4:30pm Juniors + 5:00pm-6:00pm Seniors 
TRIALS - Monday 17th & 18th March, 3:30-4:45pm Juniors + 5:00pm-6:15pm Seniors 
 
Rugby- SKILLS AND DRILLS 
Monday 17th, 24th, 3rd March - Under 14 and U16 boys, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Tuesday 18th, 25th, 4th March - All girls, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Tuesday and Thursday - 1st XV Boys players, 3:30pm-5:00pm 
 
Upcoming events: 
BOPSS Triathlon Championships- Tuesday 18th February, Ohope
BOPSS Senior Volleyball Championships - Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd February, Tauranga 

                                              Careers Information

                                                    
These University visits have been booked for the College to date.
They are at lunchtimes (12:50 - 1:40pm) in D16.
Parents and caregivers are welcome and they are very informative about what degrees and qualifications they offer and how the University system works and the benefits of higher learning. Any Yr 12 and 13 student can attend these information sessions.
 
24th Feb - Massey University
27th Feb - Victoria University
6th March - Auckland University
10th March - Waikato University
17th March - Canterbury University
24th March -Toi Ohomai
3rd April - Otago University

HUT BUDDIES WANTED!!
 
Want to make a positive difference for outdoor education at your school…?

Our school is a member of the Central Plateau Schools Alpine Charitable Trust (CPSAT), which administers Memorial Hut on Mount Ruapehu.  The Trust is looking to assemble a group of 10-15 outdoor education enthusiasts from member school communities keen to help maintain and develop this unique outdoor education resource.  “Hut Buddies” will be invited to:
 
Volunteer for a hut check-up roster – a good excuse to enjoy a walk or ski while you’re up there!
Help with “spring” cleans and working bees, typically held once or twice a year. 
Support fundraising efforts and leverage relevant networks.
 
In return, Hut Buddies will enjoy great company amidst breath-taking views, connect with fellow outdoor and education enthusiasts, and have the opportunity to hire Memorial Hut after school / education group bookings have been locked in.  Most importantly, Hut Buddies will help ensure this unique outdoor education resource remains available for their own children and for future generations. 

For more information about Memorial Hut, CPSAT trust, and how to become a Hut Buddy, please read the attached flyer.