From the Principal
Kia ora koutou,
Term 2 has been a very busy one for students, with opportunities beyond the classroom now becoming more available. Over recent weeks we have had a Year 12 Physics Trip to Christchurch, Rugby in Kaikoura, Netball in Greymouth, Year 13 Biology fieldtrip plus other events. Next week we will be holding the annual school Swimming Sports at the PERC.
Last year we trialed only those entered for at least two events taking part and we will be following the same process this year. My hope is that many students take up this opportunity for a fun day out of the classroom and to support their house.
This week the student council organised a non-uniform (mufti) day to support the local branch of the Salvation Army. The Army do a wonderful job in helping those in need and this was a small opportunity for our school community to add to that support. $220.90 was raised.
Friday 24 June is the first public holiday to acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year. We introduced this to our students at the assembly on Monday, and ran a Matariki themed kahoot on Wednesday 22nd and Ki o Rahi on Thursday 23rd. Several curriculum areas are using Matariki as the theme for classroom learning and activities. There are other community events planned to celebrate Matariki in our community. The best time to see the cluster is before dawn on a clear day – we are getting some of these at last!
Hauhake tū, ka tō Matariki.
The harvest ends when Matariki sets.
Finally, I want to pay tribute to Ms Karen Wells, our Assistant Principal who is leaving at the end of this term to take up a Deputy Principal role at Motueka High School. Ms Wells arrived just over five years ago from Motueka and has become a valuable, treasured staff member and leader in our school. We will be holding a special assembly in her honour in week 10. We will be sorry to see her go but congratulate her on the new role.
I look forward to once again sharing more student and staff successes and would encourage all parents and the community to be involved in the many events scheduled this term.
Pikopiko (Green)
The young, curled shoots of native ferns, Pikopiko are an edible delicacy, traditionally eaten at Matariki festivals and also used to garnish dishes. Pikopiko are representative of the journey ākonga make throughout their schooling.
Harakeke (Yellow)
The harakeke plant represents the whānau. The rito (shoot) is the child. It is surrounded by the awhi rito (parents) and the outside leaves represent the tīpuna (ancestors). Versatile, the harakeke is also one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive plants. It is hoped that all ākonga are nurtured in a whānau environment.
Rātā (Red)
Known for their brilliant red flowers the Southern Rātā favours the high rainfall conditions of the west coast. Native birds, bees, bats and lizards all benefit from the presence of rātā in the forest. Similarly, our ākonga are diverse and benefit from education in different ways.
Tī kōuka (Blue)
Although they grow throughout the country, Tī kōuka prefer wet, open areas. They grow 12-20 metres tall and as the plant gets old, the stems may die but new shoots grow from any part of the trunk. Each year our new ākonga provide the new shoots from which the plant continues to grow.
