Kia ora e te whānau,
Yesterday, at the Ngā Manu Kōrero regional speech competition, co-hosted by Onslow College and Tawa College, Onslow Yr13 student Billy Paratene won first place in the Korimako Senior English Speaking category, and Yr 10 Scott Picard won 3rd place in the Ta Turi Carroll junior English category. Billy will be representing the Te Whanganui a Tara ki Otaki at the national Ngā Manu Kōrero Speech Competition in Auckland. We congratulate both students on these exceptional results, and they should be very proud of their mahi. We’re also really proud of the students who came to support the event and supported all of the schools that attended.
Ngā Manu Kōrero is a regional speech competition. It is regarded as the most significant event on the Māori education calendar for nurturing the oratory skills and providing the stage for young people to express their views, and to lay down their challenges to an admiring and critical audience of peers, parents, whānau and judges. The speech contests are intended to encourage the development of skills and confidence of Māori students in spoken English and te reo Māori.
We held our Open Evening on Wednesday night. It was lovely to see staff and students showcasing our school to prospective Year 9’s for 2025 with such enthusiasm. There was a real sense of community, and a time for celebration of all the work being done at our kura. Once again, I feel very proud to be leading such an amazing school community.
CAA (Common Assessment Activity) Literacy and Numeracy testing was carried out a couple of weeks ago and I want to say well done to the many students who engaged and handled them very well, in what is their first step into NCEA qualifications.
Thank you to the staff for the massive work behind the scenes organising these tests and to those who have supported students to engage with it.
Thank you for your patience with the recent staff only days. Staff thoroughly enjoyed learning with fellow secondary staff from across the region at the LoopEd conference and interacting with our local teaching colleagues through the Kāhui Ako, a group of primary schools in the northern suburbs. A number of our staff led workshops and it was valuable to collaborate with teachers across the area.
We are in Week 7 of winter sports now and I want to acknowledge and thank the whānau, caregivers, volunteers and coaches for the support they are giving our young people. Whenever I am on the sideline, I see the huge amount of community spirit being shown to our students, therefore supporting them to stay active in sport.
Pride Week is next week, 17-23rd June. It’s a week where we celebrate the diversity of our kura by running many activities to inform, support and celebrate being whomever you are. There will be activities every day across the school. Look out for some photos on our social media next week.
Year 11 Ball – All the best for the Year 11 ball this Sunday. The Senior Leadership Team is looking forward to attending what is a highlight of the school calendar!
Matariki Public Holiday Friday 28th The school will be closed for Matariki, Friday 28th June.
In celebration of Matariki, the Music department will be putting on a ‘Matariki Arts Festival’ on Thursday 27th June. It will showcase performances from Kapa Haka, Music students, ShowQuest and photography and visual art students. The concert will be held in the school Hall, starting at 6:30pm.
Please reach out to me or any of the Senior Leadership Team if you have any questions.
Nga mihi nui,
Sheena Millar
Tumuaki/Principal
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Pride Week: 17-23 June School activities across the week
Matariki: The school will be closed Friday 28th June (a Public Holiday)
Last day of Term 2: Friday 5th July
First day of Term 3: Monday 22nd July