10 April 2025

A very busy Term One comes to an end (remember, there is no school Friday). It is a Term that has seen record growth in student numbers, a fantastic pōwhiri to start   the year, a wonderful Year 13 leadership camp, the introduction of a new Year 9 programme designed to equip them with the tools they need to succeed at secondary school, growth of our Year 13 Next Steps, considerable growth in some of our subject areas such as Classical Studies and Senior PE and Health, and the running of our new Year 9 House Days at Parakai which led into a hugely successful Tabloids Day, and our Building Academy starting work on the 5 houses that they are building this year for Kāinga Ora. We have seen large numbers of international students in our school, prominent visitors, and reconnections with notable alumni – all of whom have been welcomed into our school thanks to the leadership of Te Whare Āhuru. Chrome books continue to be made available to students as well, thanks to the support of the Massey High School Foundation.

The Term has seen the completion of new spaces in B Block (including new furniture throughout), our Admin Block re-opened, new turf areas and bins were installed around the school, and more blocks were painted. The building consent for our new International Hub (donated by Craig Walker) was granted yesterday by Council, and our new roll-growth classrooms are scheduled to be moved on-site on Monday of next week. In addition, our long-serving rugby posts are finally being replaced after nearly 20 years.

Over the holidays there will be a school wide upgrade to all our network equipment, meaning much improved internet access for all next term.

Polyfest has been a high point for many, and I was fortunate to get along to see four of our groups perform last week – The Tuvaluan. Fijian, and Thai groups on Wednesday and our Tongan group – delayed for over two hours because of heavy rain, on the Friday. All four groups were outstanding, and special mention must be made of our Tongan group who waited for hours in the rain – only for the rain to stop as they took the stage – only fitting for a group who performed so well. Unfortunately, I did not get to see our Samoan group due to the considerable delays on the day caused by weather, but the reports from our teachers in charge confirm that they represented Massey, their culture, and their families with skill, pride, and passion.

Kapa Haka was postponed from Friday due to the unsafe condition of the stage. They performed this morning at Western Springs-Waiōrea and it was worth the wait. I have never seen a performance as polished and passionate as that given by them – they stood tall, they were mighty. 

Whānau and family of all performers can be proud, as are we. 

On the sporting front, our Water Polo team has had a very successful term, as has our volleyball and touch teams. Our Onehunga Sports Exchange was scaled back, but it did enable our First XI to have a good pre-season game, drawing 3-3 with Onehunga.

Our Rugby Tour of Japan departs on Saturday – the young men on that trip are in for a life changing experience as Japan is a destination like no other. The last fundraising event for the tour took place on Friday with a hugely successful inaugural Rugby Alumni Luncheon which saw 4 of our ex-All Blacks (we have a current one as well) take the stage – Ron Cribb (although he had to bow out early in proceedings due to illness), Troy Flavell, Anthony Tuitavake, and Kurt Sherlock – somehow one of our Rugby League representatives, Dean Lonergan joined them for an entertaining panel discussion. Huge thanks to Jarrod Framheim for organizing the event, and thanks to the support of Massey Rugby Club and Brett Hollister (School Solutions and Thrive Nation). Fundraising continues for our Spanish Trip which leaves later in the year.

Next Term will be just as busy. The Common Assessment Tasks for Literacy and Numeracy being the biggest event for many students. Open Night takes on particular importance in our planning for 2026, with out-of-zone students no longer being accepted by some large schools on the North Shore. Our student leaders will also be hosting their Auckland-wide Prefect Conference.

The term came to a fitting end today with the inaugural staff vs students cricket match at lunchtime, a match won resoundingly by our staff. A new cup has been organized by our student leaders to record the staff vs student events that they have planned through the rest of the year.

We wish our tourists safe travels. Deputy Principal Hayley Garratt and I, along with our student leaders will be representing Massey High School at the Swanson RSA Anzac Memorial Service on the 25th of April. 

On that note, from all at Massey High School, we wish our students, families and whānau all the best for the holiday period. Use the time well. Keep deadlines in mind, be prepared for next term, but also take some time to re-charge. 

School resumes on 28th April.