PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Board Elections
The School Board election process for parent / whānau representatives for the 2022-2025 board has been completed and those nominated will be joining the board from the August Board meeting. We are delighted to welcome back Moira Hanna and Martin Elliffe who will be joined by Cath Aldridge (co-opted), Paul Hipkiss, Roselea Dunn and Perry Panayiotou. The staff representative and the student representative will join the Board in September. We are very grateful to those who have worked with us on the last Board - Merania Amia-Perenara, Rebecca Hull and Melissa Pye and thank them for their service to the school.
Senior Student NCEA Achievement
This week you received a letter outlining the changes to credit requirements for our seniors in their work towards their NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3 certificates. Whilst the Learning Recognition Credits support students in gaining their qualifications it is important for students to remain committed to doing their best to attain credits for their full courses and not settle for less than they are capable of achieving.
Our Year 13 students need to be confident that they will gain all the necessary credits for their UE and push themselves to achieve at Merit and Excellence level. Students who achieve at these levels find their first year at tertiary easier as they are already working close to the level needed, and their experience of trying hard and persevering supports them in coping when they go to polytechnic or university. Some of our students are heading into apprenticeships and they will realise that having achieved Maths and Science credits at Excellence or Merit supports them in their new studies in industry. The same is true for our students heading into the workplace.
For our Year 11 and 12 students completing coursework this year and going for endorsement puts them in a strong position when they start next year, so again it is vital to stay focused on what they want from this year’s schooling - and it is not just to pass! When our students are questioning “why” study is so important, we need to reassure them that the effort is worth it. Course work this year supports study next year and makes that more manageable. Completing work that you know shows your best mahi builds confidence and perseverance which are great skills for life. Sometimes our teenagers lose the spark when it comes to continuing their study and we need as whānau and teachers to help them to refocus, remember the long game and celebrate what they have accomplished so far.
Trident’s Golden Jubilee
Huge thanks to our wonderful Sherrie Thompson who has started the preparations for the celebration of Trident’s fifty years as a school. You will see adverts which promote the celebrations in 2023 and can log on to our Facebook page to see the details of the weekend celebrations. So far we have had a lot of interest and we certainly hope that any whānau who are past students will join us to share memories and reflect on their school experience and the school as it is today.
Winter Jackets
Today we distributed soft shell rain jackets to students. They are smart, warm and comfortable and we have them in a good range of sizes. Students can collect them from their Deans offices, the front office, the library or departments. It was pleasing to see how many students, both seniors and juniors, made the most of this useful resource - there are lots available so encourage your student to collect one on Monday if they need a jacket.
Year Ten Camps
Look out on our Facebook page for details of the camps we are offering to our Year 10 students this year. Mr Stanhope is setting up all the camp organisers to share the information with students at assembly. The Year 10 camps are traditionally an excellent way to explore new places, experiences and build new relationships with staff and students from the year group. They cover a wide range of interests and can be day camps from school or overnight experiences.
Enjoy the weekend with whānau.
Ngā mihi nui,
Adrienne Scott-Jones
B.A. (Hons), P.G.C.E
Principal
2023 YEAR 9 HANDBOOK
Our Year 9 Handbook is out now for perusal online and can be downloaded. Year 8 students will receive a copy with the Prospectus later this term. Click below to check it out.
MISS JOANNA BOONEN
Miss Joanna Boonen has returned to Trident's English department after time away where she has been studying as a full time student. We are privileged to have her back and know her return will be celebrated by the students who have been lucky enough to have her as their teacher.
"I am glad to be returning back to Trident after studying both classics and philosophy at Massey University. I can talk endlessly about films and media, Greek and Roman gods, and the ancient world that shaped our Western philosophy. I am excited about rejoining the Trident English department, and am looking forward to sharing my passion for language and literature with our students."
MR STEPHEN ARMSTRONG
Mr Stephen Armstrong has joined our English department and we warmly welcome him to our school. Having come from Tauranga he says "Tauranga is hot, but Whakatane is hotter! I have good memories of my time teaching at Opotiki College from 1987-1989. My wife Sharon and I have four adult children (can you have adult children?). We have 3 grandchildren living here, and we're looking forward to hitting the bush and beach. But most of all, the highlight for me will be inspiring the rangitahi of Trident to love reading and writing and to love life with all its challenges. After 20 years at Bethlehem College, I thought it was time to broaden my horizons, so here I am at Trident!"
MRS CINDY GLASS
We warmly welcome Cindy Glass to Trident and our English department.
"I moved to New Zealand from South Africa in June 2019. I have been teaching since 1994 and I have a passion for assisting young people in achieving their potential. I love being outdoors and I am an avid scuba diver. I also enjoy mountain biking, swimming in the sea and hiking with my whānau . I am the mum of two sons. My older son studies at Auckland University and my younger son attends school at Whakatane Intermediate. My whānau and I feel very grateful to live in this beautiful country and it is a privilege to get to know and work alongside the wonderful people of New Zealand."
Contact Us
Email: office@trident.school.nz
Website: https://www.trident.school.nz/
Location: Arawa Road, Whakatane, New Zealand
Phone: 64-7-308-8159
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Trident-High-School-News-420967477994039/