November and student farewells

Tēnā koutou katoa -

We have entered the final stages of our academic year with NCEA external examinations being just around the corner. Senior students and families are directed to my blog which contains advice about studying. All senior students should have a firm idea about what they need to do to achieve their potential from senior reports and the Academic Wall. Teaching staff have spent a lot of time and effort on reporting results from the mock exams in term 3 and I urge students to heed the advice that is presented to them. My best wishes go to all students sitting these external examinations. Kia kaha!

Staff changes: At the end of term three we farewelled Mr Coleman (to St Mary’s on promotion), Miss Whitwell (back to Dunedin) and Mrs Newton (to Australia). We also welcomed back Mrs Gordon from her maternity leave. Mrs Constantin has been made a permanent member of the mathematics department following the vacancy left by Mr Rodgers. We will be making an appointment of Head of English at the end of November following the vacancy left by Mrs O’Neill. Leaving us at the end of the year will be Mrs Harris who will move on promotion to Tauranga Boys’ College for 2009. Recently Mrs Buis indicated her move to teach at Devon Intermediate for 2009 and we welcomed Quentin Smith as our new AV technician.

A reminder about uniform for 2009 – the grace period that operated this year ends in December 2008. That means that all students are required to be in the new uniform for 2009. All uniform items (except shoes/sandels) are available at ‘OFF THE CUFF’ on the Broadway. The PTA will also be offering appropriate second hand and some new items during their sales days in the new year. If in any doubt about the suitability of any uniform item families need to check with the school.

My final thought: I really liked the positive messages that Barack Obama used in his campaign for the United States Presidency. His catch-cry, “Yes we can!” needs to be adopted by all of our students in the externals. Can I achieve, “Yes I can!!”



Nā Warren Purdy
Principal