Kia ora e te whanau and welcome to Trident for 2022,

It is a real pleasure to welcome back all the familiar faces as well as our new students in our community.

The same goes for our staff, and I would like to introduce you to some new staff and staff in new positions. In The Senior Management and Leadership Team, whaia Tui McCaull is taking a year’s study break and will be replaced by Jon Stanhope and Amy Wildash for the first two terms, then Amy will move to deaning and Jason Garner will join the team. We welcome Mel Emery into the position of Head of PE and her new colleague Richard Pinckney will support her as Assistant Head of PE. It's great to have Alex Howe back with us in PE, and Carmen Kendal join us full time across Social Studies, English and Digital. Welcome too to Robyn Clarke who is teaching English and is also an LSC, and to Molly Florence who is supporting the guidance team whilst Angela Barr takes part time study leave. We have an amazing staff of dedicated and experienced teachers who are committed to your young adult’s learning and welfare. Keep in touch with them and help us to develop a partnership for student success.

The new year is an excellent opportunity to start fresh and put in place routines and habits to ensure our students are going to have the best chance of success. Key habits to establish are –

• students leave home in the proper uniform for school (labelled to ensure it can be found if lost)

• students leave home on time for the bus or to walk to school

• students attend school every day without exception

• students have a place and a set time for doing homework at home

• senior students share their term planners with you at home to manage the range of assessments across their subject areas

• all students remain on site throughout the school day

• junior students leave their phones at home

If these routines are in place, students have a better chance at succeeding in school. If there are any obstacles to these habits that we can help with, contact your student’s whanau / ako Teacher as the first point of call and let us work together to solve any problems.

Partnership with whanau is a key focus for us and we want to build strong connections with you for 2022. The SMLT has enjoyed visiting classes to meet the new year 9 students this week and re-acquaint ourselves with the year 10 students; the follow up phone calls and messages are a great way to kick start the relationship we want to nurture between whanau and the school.

We have already shared with you all the information you need about keeping your young adult safe at school under the Red settling of the response to the Covid-19 situation and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of the school and of the teachers and support staff who are on site caring for your tamariki who reply on your support for their own health and welfare. Under challenging times the strength of our community determines our success - thank you.

The beginning of the new school year is exciting as students begin new courses, make new friends and get to know new support and teaching staff. It can also be stressful for some of our tamariki, this is a big school and a busy school which can seem overwhelming. We are here to help; let the whanau ako teacher, Dean, guidance counsellor or a member of the Senior management and Leadership team know if you or your student needs any extra help or support.

I am looking forward to an exciting, busy and fulfilling first term for our students, in which we work together to ensure they have the best possible opportunities for success.

Nga mihi nui,

Adrienne Scott-Jones

B.A. (Hons), P.G.C.E

Principal

Congratulations to Riria, Overall Merit winner at a recent Blue Light Life Skills camp.

Riria who walked away with the Overall Merit award by beating an exceptional group of young people from across Aotearoa at the recent Life Skills camp held on 1-4 February at Whenuapai Airforce Base, Auckland.

“It was a great experience, and I would recommend others to give it a go, especially as I also got NCEA credits” were the words Riria states when reflecting on her time at the camp.

Senior Constable Raynes referred Riria from the Blue Light Matata cadets, and comments that “the opportunities in our small village are limited due to access to things that young people in big cities take for granted. Matata Blue Light and our community are very proud of Riria and her achievements on the Blue Light Life Skills course. Well done Riria”.

Riria, who attends Trident High School in Whakatane comments, “The camp was cool because while I didn’t have any friends when I arrived, but I was soon able to make connections with some girls from Whangarei”

Blue Light’s highly successful Life Skills programme has been run in partnership with NZ Defence Force for the past 12 years and has adventure-based experiential learning as a key part of the programme. The programme provides 14-17-year olds’ critical life skills such as self-development, self-control, and teamwork that will enable young people to be successful at home, school, communities, and employment.

Up to 12 courses are held each year in Auckland, Central North Island and Burnham locations.

For more information about the Blue Light Life Skills camps visit www.bluelight.co.nz. Excerpt taken from Blue Light Press Release 9/9/22

During the SEC Whakatau on 9th February, we welcomed Te Mau and Robert to our school. We look forward to being a part of your learning journeys Te Mau and Robert. Kia Manawa Nui.

Last Thursday and Friday, students in Year 9, 10, 11 and 12 had their school individual photos taken by a professional photographer. The Year 13 Photo's will be done on 23rd February.

If you would like to order your son / daughters photo please go to:

https://www.lazerphoto.co.nz/school-photography

If your son / daughter did not have their photo taken for whatever reason, there will be a catch-up session on 23rd Feb.