20 October 2024

Term 4 is a time for celebration and farewell, but also one of hard work – particularly for our senior students. External Examinations are rapidly approaching, and it is imperative that our students are as close to the finish line as possible when the starting gun sounds for those exams. This means ensuring that all applicable outstanding work is submitted. We know that many of our students have been submitting work completed over the holidays, and that flow of submitted work continues.

In addition, senior students should be settling into their routines of revision as they prepare for their examinations.

Further information will be provided later next week regarding details of any outstanding, submittable work that can still be completed by students. In effect, individualised timetables will provide each student with information about when they can embark upon study leave (essentially, after being signed off as cleared to do so).

Of course, our Year 13 students will be balancing this with the celebrations that come with the completion of their 13 years of schooling. Further information will be provided to students and caregivers in the days ahead about Senior Prizegiving, our Year 13 Leavers Lunch, and the Year 13 Graduation Ceremony.

The message for all senior students is simply not to take their foot off the gas at this stage of the year. Short term sacrifice and commitment to completion of work pays dividends for them in the long term. Of course, our teaching staff are primed to support (and cajole) as best they can to ensure that our students have the best chance of success.

Sports Awards

Our Annual Senior Sports Awards took place at Swanson RSA on Wednesday night. I’d like to express my thanks to our Sports Co-Ordinators Nikki and Georgie, and our Sports Leaders Alec and Willow for their superb organisation and running of the evening. Sport plays a hugely important part in the lives of many of our young people, it prepares them well for life beyond school and develops long-lasting social networks. The opportunity to celebrate those athletes excelling in sports from badminton throught to weightlifting was appreciated by all. 

Fiji Week

We hosted a short notice visit on Thursday by the Fijian Minister of Education and his delegation. Of particular interest to them was our vibrant Academy programmes and the pathways they offer. They were also interested in the success of our Fijian students.

Our Fijian group then performed on Saturday at Fiji Day 2024 at Mangere. Their performance in front of thousands was faultless. Deputy Principal Jon Taura and myself then had the opportunity to meet HON Prime Minister of Fiji Hon Sitiveni Ligamada Rabuka. My thanks to Marshniel Mudaliar for preparing the girls performance and facilitating the opportunity. 

Jack Adam Gym

The restoration of the Jack Adam Gym Floor is nearing completion. Following extensive work, re-sanding, re-lining and re-staining the floor should be as good as new. This work will be welcomed by our basketballers in particular as the infamous dead spots in the court should now be a thing of the past.

Upcoming events

As mentioned above, the next few weeks involve a number of opportunities to celebrate student success.