Comments from the Principal - Week 2

Kia ora tatou

As I write this, we have just completed the whole school cross country race of 2019. I am sure that all of us adults remember school cross country days – some with fond memories, others with loathing and others with a sense of satisfaction and pride in an event well run and achieved. Congratulations to every student who took part in the cross country this year because you showed you had the fortitude and tenacity to see it through. For those who are basking in the glory of a top ten place, well done – your commitment, skill and determination paid off. Many things we have to do in life are just plain old hard work, but doing them is part of our development and resilience building. Unfortunately, some parents throughout the country still try to save their young people from the hard, often boring, work by excusing them from events such as this. I do worry about the premise this sets for those young people who can begin to believe that they are exempt from having to do the hard yards in life if they don’t feel like it. In my opinion, habits of determination, resiliency and commitment, are ‘set’ in childhood and teenage years. Their attitude as adults – whether they are prepared to work at life, or whether they expect to be exempt from working at life – is shaped as they grow up. As a parent, I know that we all need reminding of this from time to time.

In this newsletter, you will read about the recent Kapahaka hikoi to the North Island. These students know the meaning of hard work and commitment. They spent many months preparing in their own time and fundraising to achieve their goal. Thank you very much to Darren Jack, Catherine Baldock and Vanessa Edwards who, along with some supportive parents, gave these 32 young people experiences they will be hard pressed to find again.

Continuing with the current trend of experiential travel are two people who will be taking part in some exciting upcoming adventures!  We wish Mr Cameron Winsloe all the best as he travels to Japan next week to take part in an Asia New Zealand Foundation Sports Forum.  Cameron was very excited to be among the ten Physical Education teachers from New Zealand selected for this, and I know he will make the most of this opportunity. 

Another person who has an exciting trip ahead of him is Tom Dennison (Year 12). Tom was nominated by the police, and selected with another 17 young people from throughout New Zealand, to take part in the Blue Light International Youth Experience, a youth development camp, in Hong Kong for a week in July. Tom has been a youth leader in the Blue Light organisation, assisting on camps and other blue light experiences for two years. Well done, Tom, the hard work and commitment has reaped rewards I am sure you didn’t expect!
 
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.  - Eleanor Roosevelt

If you have some spare time on Saturday, pop down to the MLT stadium or to the school rugby grounds to support our committed sports teams.
Ngā mihi
 
Kate Nicholson