Comments from the Acting Principal - T4 W2

Tena Koutou everyone

With only another week left for seniors, they should be all in high gear finishing off internal assessments and making the most of revision time prior to exam leave beginning next Friday. I would like to encourage all students to not only make use of the tutorial sessions offered by staff prior to exams to revise their learning, but also to maximise the time they have left in class with their teachers by remaining on task, focussed and responsible for their own learning.
It is with sadness that we farewell the Ratcliffe students who have been with us all week. Their presence has been very welcome and reports from parents who have been looking after them during their stay have been very positive and they have thoroughly enjoyed their time with their English visitors. Travel well and our group coming to you next year will no doubt look forward to seeing you all again then. A big thank you to Ronny Kotkamp and Rosie Hickey and other staff and parents who have been part of their programme here in New Zealand.

Our own 'Arohanui Award' is due to be chosen again next week. This award goes to one Senior and one Junior each term and given that the seniors are leaving next week, please get the names of anyone you think may be deserving into the Office or myself as soon as possible. This award celebrates those who without any desire for self recognition, have gone 'above and beyond' with their generosity to others in need. These can be large things or small but will show Aroha or love for others and are often done behind the scenes. Parents or students may nominate any individual for anything either inside or outside of school, so if you have a suggestion, please get it in to the school with a little information as to why they would be a worthy recipient.
Next week is also the Sports and Cultural Blues Ceremony and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students in these arenas. It is also the week of the Southland Youth Mark Awards, Southland Secondary Schools’ Sports Awards and the Leavers’ Mass on Friday, so a fast and furious wind up to the senior calendar. It is important however, to pause amidst it all to really join in congratulating our successful people and recognise the significance of their accomplishments. It is also important to remember no-one does it on their own and that the family and support people who have been part of making it all possible, need also to be acknowledged.

With that in mind, I wish you a very restful and relaxing Labour Day Holiday and look forward to seeing you back on Tuesday for a shortened Week Three.
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Nga mihi nui ki a koutou
 
Darren Jack
Acting Principal
 

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