PRINCIPALS PIECE

STAFFING NEWS

LEARNERS AT THE CENTRE

CONNECTED AND INCLUSIVE

FUTURE OF LEARNING AND WORK

SPORTS AND CULTURAL BULLETIN

FEATURE ARTIST

SCHOOL CAREERS & COUNSELLING SERVICES

STUDENT WELLBEING SERVICES

ATTENDANCE

TERM DATES 2025

Te Ara Huarau is the evaluation approach that the Education Review Office (ERO) is using in our school. This is a developmental approach to evaluation where ERO and our school work together over time rather than one off review that happened previously. Te Ara Huarau is used in most English-medium state and state-integrated schools.

ERO maintains a regular view programme to evaluate and report on the education and care of young people in schools. Our school worked with ERO and contributed to writing our School Evaluation Report. The reports reflects and informs our strategic priorities and direction for improvement in one or more areas that are important as we work together to improve outcomes for all our learners. ERO, like us, has a strong focus on equality and excellence. Future reporting will show our progress and achievement towards meeting the areas for improvement in this report. Public reports like the School Evaluation Report are published on ERO’s website.

A Board Assurance Report that shows how we are meeting regulatory and legislative Requirements has also been published.

Included in our bundle of published reports is a Provision for International Students report.

ERO Highlights

1. Success in Personalised Learning

• Tailored learning programmes based on students’ interests, strengths, and needs are making a real difference to engagement and achievement.
  
  

• Strong evidence that learners are exercising self-determination (tino rangatiratanga) in shaping their education pathways.
  
  

2. Strengthened Partnerships with Whānau, Hapū and Iwi

• Whānau are valued as true partners in learning, with systems in place to support course selection and learning pathways.
  
  

• Strong, responsive relationships with hapū and iwi continue to shape decision-making positively.
  
  

3. Focus on Equity and Excellence

• Progress made towards parity of outcomes across NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3 — although Level 3 and University Entrance (UE) are areas for continued focus.
  
  

• Māori student engagement and retention are improving, and Māori learners are achieving educational success as Māori.
  
  

4. Effective Leadership and Systems

• Leadership is recognised for strategically transforming systems in alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  
  

• High levels of relational trust, inclusive culture, and effective collaboration are evident across the school.
  
  

• Internal evaluation (Korekorekā cycle) is driving improvements in teaching and learning.
  
  

5. Teaching Excellence and Positive Learning Environments

• Teachers are designing rich, relevant learning experiences that engage and support diverse learners.
  
  

• Classrooms are settled, with strong relationships between teachers and students.
  
  

• Staff professional development is tightly aligned with school priorities and focused on building collective capacity.
  
  

6. Areas to Strengthen Moving Forward

• Clarify and agree on valued learner outcomes with our community.

We have started mapping a plan for this and will start consultation with whānau. Their feedback will be synthesised to guide our future direction.

• Strengthen schoolwide literacy and numeracy pathways, especially Years 9–10.

Will need to be a strategic focus going forward.

• Embed personalised learning approaches even deeper.

A review of this will be developed.

• Implement and monitor our plan to improve attendance to meet government targets.

To be a continued focus.

Principal

Whaea Nicola email: nng@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal/Senior Leadership

Mr Daryn Shaw email: dsh@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal/Senior Leadership

Mrs Hilary Takarangi email: hta@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal/Senior Leadership

Mr Darren Scott email: dsc@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 12 and 13 Dean

Mr Wayne Cribb email: wcr@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 11 Dean

Whaea Tulah Katene-Wall email: tka@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 10 Dean

Matua Matty James email: mja@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 9 Dean

Mr Airana Ngarewa email: ang@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

International Director

Mrs Nicola Healy email: nhe@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Business Manager

Ms Christina Davis email: cdv@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Careers Advisor

Mrs Chell Lusk email: clu@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

The Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS) played host to an exciting Mamma Mia-themed hospitality event this month, welcoming students from Spotswood College for an unforgettable day of learning that provided an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into the hospitality industry.

A group of our students recently had the unforgettable opportunity to be part of a special taonga (treasure) – the release of kiwi back into their natural habitat right here in Taranaki.

Working alongside conservation experts and local iwi (tribes), the students were involved in an important project aimed at restoring the mana (prestige) of our native environment and protecting our national icon, the North Island brown kiwi. The release took place as part of an ongoing initiative to boost kiwi populations in predator-free zones across the region.

Students learned firsthand about the challenges kiwi face, the impact of introduced predators, and the dedicated mahi (work) that goes into nurturing these precious birds in crèche environments before they are strong enough to be returned to the forest.

Being part of this moment was deeply meaningful — a real reminder of our role as kaitiaki (guardians) of our whenua (land) and wildlife. The students were humbled and inspired to contribute to something bigger than themselves and came away with a stronger connection to the environment and the importance of conservation in Aotearoa.

He taonga te kiwi, he taonga te taiao — the kiwi is a treasure, and so is the natural world that sustains us all.

The Women in Trades Expo 2025 is geared up and ready to welcome Taranaki wāhine to explore exciting career opportunities in the trades. This inspiring and interactive event is designed to showcase the incredible opportunities for women in industries where they are traditionally underrepresented.

Transport and Catering:

A bus has been organised by the host of the event. The bus will depart from and return to Spotswood College. Lunch will be provided at the event.

If you'd like to attend this expo (or have any questions) - please come and see us in the Vocational Pathways Office and collect a permission form.

Winter sports seasons are well and truly underway. It is awesome to see our students being represented across a range of sports.

There are basketball teams entered in the Junior and Senior School Leagues, with our girls team backing up in the NPBA Tuesday night league.

Our hockey team is showing they weren’t a one year wonder, with the majority of players returning and backing up in this season's secondary school league.

Whakamana and Pono netball teams are back representing the school in the Saturday school leagues; while it is awesome to see a return to secondary school rugby for our Spotswood College boys team.

Good luck to all our teams - players, coaches and managers, for the seasons ahead. Remember to play hard yet fair; and to take on the many great challenges and learnings that sport provides our young people.

Spotswood College boys team won the Taranaki Secondary schools volleyball championships this was a relief after not winning for the last 2 years to our cross town rivals. The 2025 team of Rotz Kavanagh, Zander Dodunski, Olly Smith, Dhio Yoshimura, Tahi Te Awa, Wairangi Davey, Jonah Bucksmith, Westley Oakes-Hill, Kingston Lilo went to the National Secondary schools championships in Palmerston North to see how they could compete Nationally with the rest of the country. Our goal was to try and make division 1 as a top 16 team in the country.

At the Championships 200 teams entered playing in 7 divisions for both male and female athletes so we knew we had some serious competition. The boys toiled hard and had many close matches but unfortunately we were not able to quite complete the wins necessary on day 1 to make the first division.

Results

Lost 2-3 St Andrews College (Christchurch)

Lost 1-3 Hamilton BHS

Lost 0-3 Tauranga Boys College (Eventual winners)

Qualified Division 2

Won 3-1 NaeNae College (Wellington)

Lost 0-3 Wellington College

Won 3-1 St Patricks Silverstream (Wellington)

Quarter-final Division 2

Lost 1-3 Mount Maunganui College

Lost 1-3 Western Heights High School (Rotorua)

Playoff for 7th/8th Division 2

Lost 1-2 Otumoetai College (Tauranga)

Team finished 8th Division 2 (24th in New Zealand). This result was the best result of any Taranaki school at the championships in 2025.

Summary

The team finished in 24th position in New Zealand which was a respectable finish but also the boys feeling we fell short of our goal. We would like to thank the players, supporters and families who helped the team in the 2025 season. We created opportunities to play in mini tournaments and training situations to prepare our team to compete. To the Year 13 students we wish you well on your future volleyball and sporting endeavours. The experience was a great learning experience and hopefully we can use these for our future development in the 2026 season.

All students who drive to school please do not park within the school grounds. This includes the parking area next to the pedestrian crossing, staff parking at the back of B-Block and A Block. Please park on Belair Ave or Ngāmotu Rd. If you have any questions please see Matua Wayne.

Kia ora koutou,

As the colder months approach, we kindly remind you to ensure your child has the correct winter uniform, including the appropriate school jacket or top. This helps maintain consistency and pride in our school community.

Please check our uniform guidelines to ensure your child is dressed appropriately. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school office.

Career support and advice is available to students who would like some guidance on career pathways, tertiary studies and scholarships available.

To make an appointment please contact the Careers Advisor

Chell Lusk - clu@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

A great way to see if it is the right fit for you.

Register so you don't miss out.

• AUT = Saturday 30th August https://www.aut.ac.nz/events/aut-live-our-university-open-day
• Auckland = Saturday 30th August https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/manawa-mai/open-day.html
• Canterbury = Friday 5th September https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/regular-events/open-day
• Lincoln = Friday 18th July https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/key-dates-2/open-day/
• Massey = Palmerston North 6th August, Auckland 15th August, Wellington 22nd August, Aviation 13th September https://events.massey.ac.nz/open-days/
• Otago = Sunday 4th & Monday 5th May https://www.otago.ac.nz/open-days
• Victoria = Friday 22nd August https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/study/events-visits/open-day
• Waikato = Hamilton 23rd May, Tauranga 25th June. https://www.waikato.ac.nz/news-events/events/open-day/

MoneyHub has 10+ NCEA resources to help everyone attain merits and excellences - check it out and prepare for upcoming internals and externals with confidence.

https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/resources-for-ncea-students.html

Please make sure your teens are checking, opening and reading their emails. Opportunities are being missed.

School Counselling Services are available at Spotswood College for students who wish to get additional wellbeing support.

To make an appointment please email:

Guidance Counsellors - manaakitanga@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Public Health Nurse

Drop in Public Health Nurse hours - Monday 9.00 am - 2.00 pm.

The sickbay is closed for any sick-related issues. If your child is sick, we will contact home and ask for them to be picked up immediately. Students should not arrange this themselves as we need to know where they are at all times.

The sick bay is open to help with injuries.

A public health nurse is available for you and your caregivers if you have any concerns. This could be a rash, not sleeping well, regular headaches, ongoing health issues etc.

Please ask to talk to her privately. Consultations are confidential, offering information and advice. Health resources are available, with a choice of providers for referrals to agencies.

If you would like to see the public health nurse, please ask staff at student reception.

We have a school attendance target of above 90% for every student. To ensure that together we reach this, it is important that if you know your child is going to be absent from school, that you please contact the school by using one of the following options.

Option 1: Report an absence using the school app SchoolBridge

Option 2: Call 06 751 2416 and press (1) to report a student's absence. Record your child’s name, parents' name, contact details and reason for absence.

Option 3: Send a text to the office on 02102466182

Based on our attendance data system we will send an automated text to parents of any students that are absent, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

If for any reason you are concerned about your child’s attendance, you can speak with Ra or Carla the Attendance Officers or she will pass you on to the DEAN or your child’s Learning Advisor.