From the Tumuaki

Tena koutou,

This is our last newsletter for 2023 and as we finish, I have shared highlights of this year that I have enjoyed watching, hearing about or being part of for 2023. These highlights are a range of student experiences and also the focus areas that the Board and Staff have had this year.

• New Vision and Strategic direction to ‘Inspire and Empower’ - our vision is to ‘Inspire and Empower’ and we have seen many instances of this with our staff and students over the course of 2023.

• Foundation Learning and Key Capabilities - this will develop further over time as it is the core of what we are here to do and as parents you will see the development of your child through reports that give strong indicators of their strengths and what they need to develop further. Junior reports will be sent out later this week so you can see the progress that has been made for your child.

• Events - Wearable Arts, Vibes, Quad, School Ball and Music Performances - these events have been amazing and showcased so many of the talents of our students but also the courage they have to be involved. Next year we have the School Production ‘Grease’ which will bring together many talents in the performing arts arena to celebrate.

• Argentina and our International Programme - we were able to re-engage with Colegio Las Victorias, our sister school in Argentina, after so many years being unable due to the restrictions of travel. Our Argentinian students, Julia and Ingrid had a marvellous time both in New Zealand but also sharing their school and lives living in Argentina with our students, Charlotte Marriott and Reuben Pace. We have had students from Thailand, Laos, Germany, Argentina and Japan join us this year. This has given our students a sense of a global community and has had a positive impact for all of our students.

• ERO - we had ERO [Education Review Office] work with the BOT and Senior Leadership Team this year and recently received a positive report with many areas to celebrate about the progress around achievement we are making with our students.

• Primary Industries Academy [PIA] - it was a year for PIA and the success of the programme on a national level. We have featured nationally for the support provided to Hawkes Bay by a number of our students, a national study being done for the Ministry and more recently the acknowledgement in the ODT of teacher Sarah Foley Smith and the work she has done in this programme.

• Students Leaders with Karamu High School, Hawkes Bay - our Student Leaders and Student Council partnered with Karamu High School, a co-ed school of similar size, that was affected by the flooding and had regular zooms with their Exec as well as fundraising event for them.

• EPRO8 and Inspiring futures - this was a highlight to see the capability and adaptability of our Yr 7 and 8 students in the EPRO8 Competition. We had too many students wanting to compete in the regional finals that we had to run our own competition first to select the teams for this.

• The Inspiring the futures programme was another new initiative where students got to understand and hear from people who work across a variety of industries with the aim to engage a passion in these various pathways.

• Kapa Haka and Te wiki o te reo māori performance event - this was a highlight for me to see the Kapa Haka group with their uniforms performing for our community in a celebration of Māori culture alongside so many of our talented students, teachers and the wider community.

• Building Sheds and Chicken Coops - this started a few years ago with our senior students and evolved to having a specialised workshop this year where these sheds and coops have been built. This initiative has the potential to grow and be a feeder for students into all trades.

• Friendly, happy and content students - it sounds strange but the covid times along with other disruptions and the loss of the things that were part of our school fabric returned. It has been wonderful to see engaged, happy students because of the wide range of activities, events and opportunities they have had over 2023.

To all our students, our wish is that you say ‘yes’ to so many of these opportunities for next year and discover those hidden talents that could be the start of a future pathway from school.

Staff Farewells

As the year comes to an end, we have a number of staff leaving and we thank these people for their commitment to our school and wish them well in their next steps. All of these staff have made a difference for our students and their overall development.

• Mrs Robyn Gillies

• Mr Cameron Love

• Mrs Julie Ainsworth

• Ms Melissa Neill

• Mr Daniel Gracey

• Miss Caitlin Miles

• Mrs Aileen Watson

• Mr Mark Mackenzie

And to the following who have taken leave for a year.

• Ms Tessa Opie

• Mrs Kerri Bailey

• Mr Louis Moulton

Mr Mark Mackenzie

Mr Mackenzie is retiring after devoting over 10 years to our school at the end of this year. He brought a wealth of knowledge when he arrived in 2013 from Rotorua Boys’ High School where he was HOD Technology for many years. We have been fortunate to have had not only his skills across a wide range of areas but also his connection with our students and the respect they have for him.

Mr Mackenzie has developed a successful DVC programme and also initiated the build programme that has provided the opportunity for our senior students to experience the trade based knowledge and skills needed for when they leave school to follow these pathways.

Alongside this, he has been involved in mentoring and supporting staff as HOD of Technology and coordinated the very complex role of staff relief very well, which through Covid was a difficult task.

We wish him all the best in retirement and the opportunity to travel and spend time with his wife, Julie and their wider family.

New Principal - Mr Marcus Cooper

Last week, we spent a day with Mr Marcus Cooper, our new Principal for next year, planning for 2024. Mr Cooper is currently the Principal of East Otago High School in Palmerston and brings a wide range of strengths and ideas to our school. We look forward to formally welcoming Mr Cooper and his family to Geraldine High School with our start of year Powhiri on Friday 2nd February.

An exciting year lies ahead for 2024!

2024 will be an exciting year to look forward to with a new Principal, Mr Marcus Cooper, quality new staff, a growing International programme, the continuation and development of the Foundation Learning Curriculum and Personal and Social Education programmes, and a year with no interruptions so that our students have the best of opportunities, learning and building connections throughout the school.

Thank you and best wishes

Finally, thank you for your support of the Geraldine High School Community in so many ways this year whether it is assisting on camps or school functions, coaching or managing sports teams, or attending the variety of student events that have occurred throughout this year.

As I finish my time at Geraldine High School, I take away great memories of the students, staff and community and it has been a privilege to have been able to lead and contribute to this wonderful school and students. My thanks to all who have been part of this and supported me over the last 9 years. I look forward to seeing many of you as we celebrate the achievements of our students at our Year 7 to 10 Prize Giving on Friday 8th December.

Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa