How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Mr Hurndell shared these wise words with us at an assembly this term and indeed they are true.

When faced with situations that may seem large and daunting such as the move to hybrid learning caused by Covid-19 it is important to break it down into manageable tasks and take it one step at a time. This term has been about accepting new ways of learning which will remain with us for some time. Well done to everyone who has continued to learn with purpose and worked hard to overcome some elephant-sized challenges to achieve their goals.

Thank you to our staff for their support of each other and for making changes to their teaching programmes to support our students learn with purpose.

Thank you to our community for your continued support and understanding as the school moved to the mix of onsite and home learning this term. The home school learning partnership is more vital than ever to improve student’s outcomes and prepare them for the challenges of life.

Despite the disruption I am proud of our achievements as a school this term. These include implementing our new junior curriculum and further developing our e-Learning capability. There has been a pleasing increase in the number of students bringing a charged device as part of their daily routine. We have also completed two significant property developments the new multipurpose turf and Whare Āwhina our new Supported Learning Centre.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable term break. Remember the 3Rs – relax, refresh and refocus. Relax by doing the things you enjoy, refresh by taking time out and refocus on the year ahead and the goals you have set.

And remember to eat your elephants one bite at a time.

Matt White

Principal Tumuaki

Wairarapa College celebrates 100 years at the Pownall Street site next year. A 'Centenary Celebration' is set for Friday 10 to Sunday 12 March 2023. This gives us just just under a year to plan and organise ourselves. Some fantastic ideas have already been shared to mark the occasion such as a golf tournament, a concert, a celebrity cricket match, school/farm tours, a reunion village and a reunion ball.

If you want to be a part of the planning committee, comment on here or email us below. We need your help, there is a lot to be done.

So now you know, message your mates, save the date and plan a trip home.

See you there.... Mauri Ora!

Jason Kerehi

Wairarapa College Centenary Reunion Committee

jay.kerehi@gmail.com

grodgers@waicol.nz

Congratulations WaiCol Senior A Netball 2021!

The team were awarded Te Roopu Hakinakina O Te Tau at the Wairarapa Māori Sports Awards. Winners of Prem 1, WaiCol Senior A built a kaupapa which guided them throughout the 2021 season to foster whakawhanaungatanga, not only within the team, but to also include the coach/management and whānau of all involved. Tino pai!

Team Information

Trials have been completed and teams are displayed on the Netball Noticeboard and all players (and whanau for junior teams) will have received an email with team information. Some teams have begun practices and others will commence in week one, term two. Practice days and times will be displayed on the Netball Noticeboard and daily Student Notices.

Season Dates:

• Start Saturday 7th May (first weekend of Term 2);
• Games are Friday nights or Saturdays.

Grading - Saturday 7th and 14th May

Round 1 - Begins 20th May

Round 2 - 8th/9th July OR 5th/6th August (depending on number of teams in each grade)

Semi Finals - 26/27th August

Finals - 2nd/3rd September

* No games Queens Birthday Weekend (3rd/4th June), Matariki weekend (24th/25th June) or during School Holidays (15th/16th & 22nd/23rd July) *

Fees and uniform

Fees are $120 per player and were to be paid before trials, either at the college office or via internet banking (account information can be found on the Netball page on the Sports Portal). If you cannot pay the fees in full, please set up a payment plan at the college office.

Netball dresses can be purchased at NZ Uniforms; second hand ones are often for sale on Wairarapa Garage Sale’s Facebook page.

WaiCol Sports Foundation (WCSF) Tournament

The WaiCol Sports Foundation are running their annual netball tournament on the 28th and 29th April (second week school holidays). The tournament is being held at the Colombo Road Courts and we encourage you to head there and watch our teams in action.

Coaches

We are still in need of coaches for a few teams; please get in touch with Kath (see details below) if you can assist or know of someone who may be interested.

For further netball information contact:

Kathryn Houliston (TIC Netball)

khouliston@waicol.co.nz

(06) 370 0400

Another hockey season is looming – hopefully one free of disruptions, unlike the past two. Our college trials have been held for our 1st and Development (2nd) squads who will compete in the WaiCol Sports Foundation’s holiday tournament so that further refinement of the selection process can occur and actual teams can be finalised. The Boys tournament is in the first week of the holidays: Tuesday April 19 and Wednesday April 20. The Girls in the following week: Tuesday April 26 and Wednesday April 27. All play is at Clareville. A huge thank you to Mrs Chrissina Donald for her amazing work in bringing this to fruition – a huge fundraiser for the WCSF as well as filling Hostel beds for many nights and bringing spending to the Wairarapa in general (from out-of-town teams) = nice work !!

My sincere thanks to Mr Schaefer for sorting the trials electronic sign-up process, for attending all four trials days and for helping with selections. Thanks also to the 1st XI team managements who are already in place: Regan Fricker, Andrew Stewart, Trudy Sears, Andrew Freeman, Andy Robertson, Mr Le Roux, Reon Bengston, Paulette Hall, and others for attending and helping.

Coaches are still required for our Development (2nd) team, both girls and boys. If you can help or know of anyone who might be willing, please get in touch. We have been informed by Hockey Wairarapa that the local competition will begin in Week 3 of Term 2, so there is still some time for organisational bits & pieces to be done and practices to occur. Our 1st teams will continue to compete in the Manawatu Secondary Schools competition.

With the new turf at the front of college Mr Schaefer and Mr Le Roux are looking to offer hockey as a Hapori Community option on Friday mornings, if you think your child wants to give hockey a go and upskill themselves, here is their opportunity!! Note: our 3rd [Blue] and 4th [Gold] XI hockey teams will practice on this new surface once practices get underway.

Mrs Trudy Sears had a great idea to help reduce the cost of playing hockey and that was for hockey families to recycle used gear – that could be a hockey stick that someone has outgrown, some turf shoes that still have life in them, spare sets of shin guards. So, if you have any good condition gear that is surplus to your needs, please bring it in to me at college and I am sure I can gift it to someone.

TIC Hockey: Mike van Woerkom (Admin) & Willie Schaefer (Development)

If students want to apply for a course in 2023, they will need to apply later this year.

Wellington Diving Club offer diving lessons for kids aged 6yrs+ to Adult sessions!

Try something new - visit our website and register for a FREE 30min Trial Lesson in the school holidays or during Term.

After-school sessions available on Wed/Thurs and Saturdays - All levels welcome from beginners to competitive.

FREE Community Diving sessions one Sunday per month during Term. T&C’s apply.

For more information, please visit our website www.wellingtondiving.org.nz or call/text Barbara on 027 485 8888.