PRINCIPALS PIECE

LEARNERS AT THE CENTRE

CONNECTED AND INCLUSIVE

FUTURE OF LEARNING AND WORK

SPOTLIGHT ON A STUDENT

SPORTS AND CULTURAL BULLETIN

TERM DATES 2025

SCHOOL CAREERS & COUNSELLING SERVICES

ATTENDANCE

STUDENT WELLBEING SERVICES

As we settle into the year, it’s great to see our students finding their rhythm—not just in the classroom but in the many opportunities that extend beyond the bricks and mortar of school. Learning happens everywhere, and over the past few weeks, we’ve seen this in action.

Our students have taken on new challenges, from hiking adventures that test their resilience to supporting Te Matatini, where they experienced the power of kapa haka on a national stage. Extracurricular activities continue to thrive, with students excelling in robotics, strengthening their skills in surfing, and representing our school with pride in various competitions.

Academically, we are also focused on progress and connection. Interim reports will be available soon, and we encourage all whānau to be actively involved in upcoming Student-Led IDPs (Individual Development Plans). These meetings are a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their learning and set meaningful goals with the support of their teachers and whānau.

For more information and to book an IDP with your student's LA teacher please click on the link here. Please note IDPs can be booked from Monday 10th March onwards.

Thank you for your continued support—we look forward to another term of growth, challenge, and success together.

Ngā mihi nui,
Nicola Ngarewa

Principal, Spotswood College

At Spotswood College, we are committed to ensuring every student has the best opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. A key factor in this success is regular school attendance. The New Zealand Ministry of Education’s 2025 guidelines emphasize that attending school at least 90% of the time (no more than five days absent per term) is essential for academic achievement and overall well-being.

Why Attendance Matters

• Academic Success – Missing school means missing out on important learning. Research shows that students who attend regularly are more likely to achieve NCEA and other qualifications.

• Social and Emotional Wellbeing – Being present helps students build friendships, develop resilience, and stay engaged in school life.

• Future Opportunities – Good attendance habits lead to a better work ethic and increased opportunities for further education and employment.

Understanding Absences

While we understand that some absences are unavoidable (such as illness), every effort should be made to keep time away from school to a minimum. The Ministry of Education classifies attendance as:

• Regular (90% or more) – This is the goal for all students.

• At Risk (80-89%) – Missing 1-2 days every fortnight can quickly add up to learning gaps.

• Moderate to Severe Risk (below 80%) – Frequent absences lead to significant challenges in keeping up with learning and assessments.

What You Can Do

• Ensure your child attends school every day unless they are unwell.

• Communicate with the school if your child needs to be absent and provide a reason.

• Avoid scheduling appointments or holidays during term time.

• Encourage good routines at home to support punctuality and engagement.

Our goal at Spotswood College is to support all students to attend, engage, and achieve. If you have any concerns about attendance, please reach out to your child's Learning Advisor (LA) or the Poutiaki —we are here to help.

A warm welcome to Corban Grainger, who joins us as a teacher across multiple areas. We're excited to have Corban on board and look forward to the expertise and energy he'll bring to our team. Nau mai, haere mai!

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

At Spotswood College, we are committed to ensuring every student is well-prepared for success in the senior school and beyond. To support this, we have developed the Junior Certificate of Educational Achievement (JCEA), which aligns with NCEA and helps our young people build the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need for future learning.

What is JCEA?

JCEA is our structured approach to junior learning and achievement, ensuring students develop strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and key learning areas before moving into senior NCEA studies. It provides clear goals, meaningful feedback, and pathways for growth, allowing students to take ownership of their learning.

Each timetabled course has assessments that students complete throughout the year. Each of these assessments have credits associated with it. By the end of the year students must have got 60 credits to pass. Students can get JCEA endorsements at Merit or Excellence levels. They do this by getting more than 40 credits at Merit level to get Merit endorsement and more than 40 credits at Excellence level to get Excellence endorsement.

How Does JCEA Support Your Child?

✔ Aligned with NCEA – Ensuring a smooth transition into senior learning.
✔ Focus on Literacy & Numeracy – Strengthening essential skills for success.
✔ Personalised Learning – Recognising and supporting individual progress.

Similar to the senior school, students who achieve their JCEA endorsed with EXCELLENCE or MERIT will receive badges that they can wear with pride!

We believe JCEA will empower our students to thrive in their learning journey. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to get in touch with us.

We are excited to welcome you and your child to the start of their NCEA journey! This year marks the beginning of NCEA Level 1 for many of our students, and we want to ensure you are well-informed and supported as they embark on this important step in their education.

NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) is the secondary school qualification in New Zealand. Level 1 is the foundation year where students begin to earn credits in a variety of subjects, each contributing to their overall achievement towards gaining NCEA. Throughout the year, students will work on assessments and assignments that contribute towards these credits.

We encourage whānau to be actively involved in supporting students through this process. Regular communication between home and school is vital to help ensure our students stay on track with their learning, attend school regularly, and make the most of the opportunities available to them.

Our staff are committed to supporting your child every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their Learning Advisory (LA) teacher in the first instance and then the Year 11 Poutiaki, Tulah Katene-Wall

We look forward to working alongside you to ensure this is a successful and rewarding year for all of our Year 11 students.

Helpful Links:

Guide to NCEA - te reo Māori [PDF, 5.4 MB]

Guide to NCEA - English [PDF, 6.4 MB]

Please click on the link below to find information regarding University Entrance Requirements for senior students

Does your child do something out of school that you'd like to let us know about so it can be celebrated? Please let us know. It could be in the sporting, cultural, musical, performing arts, community service realms or something else!

We would appreciate photos of your child to accompany the celebration post so please send those to admin@spotswoodcollege.school.nz.

(We reserve the right to determine how the achievement is acknowledged - it could be a school newsletter, School Facebook post, other Social Media platforms and/or an assembly).

This year we had 3 teams compete at Regionals:

93141A - Sam Pattison and Liam Hofmans

93141B - Jaram Ford and Luke francis

93141C - Aiden Hocking, Diamoni Lieng and Daniel Marshall.

Firstly, congratulations to all the teams who competed! This year’s VEX VRC game was no easy challenge, and the young people involved in this competition made Spotswood proud. Regardless of their qualifying rank, they never stopped striving to improve their robots for each match. Their determination to perform better than before and their resilience in overcoming challenges were truly commendable.

Teams A and B faced both incredible and difficult matches throughout the event. Team A won two of their qualifying matches and achieved personal best scores. Their unique approach to the game, focusing on a defensive strategy, set them apart from the competition. Team B secured four match wins but encountered some hardware malfunctions along the way. Despite these setbacks, they never lost hope and pushed through until the very end.

Coming off the back of a regional victory, Team C played some outstanding rounds, winning against top-ranked teams. This competition isn’t just about building the best robot—it also tests teamwork, strategy, driver skills, and programming abilities. Team C worked exceptionally well together and showed a strong desire for success. Finishing 13th after the qualification rounds, they had the opportunity to form their own alliance. Partnering with Team 3168G from Skywalker Robotics, they fought their way to the semifinals, where they faced the tournament champions. Finishing third overall and earning the title of tournament semifinalists is an incredible achievement for these students.

This season has taught them invaluable lessons, and we are excited to see what they will bring to the next VEX Robotics competition.

A group of our senior students have recently undertaken dispute resolution training with experienced former lawyer Randy Buckley as they prepare for their new roles as student dispute mediators. This initiative comes directly from the student body, who have advocated for more student-led solutions to conflicts and challenges within our kura.

The training has equipped students with skills in active listening, negotiation, and conflict resolution, ensuring they can mediate peer disputes in a way that is fair, respectful, and constructive. By fostering a culture where students are empowered to resolve issues independently, we are strengthening student agency and leadership across all levels of the school.

This kaupapa reflects our commitment to whanaungatanga and kotahitanga, creating a supportive environment where every voice is heard. We look forward to seeing our new student mediators in action and the positive impact they will bring to our kura!

As Te Matatini 2025 came to Taranaki, Spotswood College was honoured to have staff and students take part in the official pōwhiri to welcome the festival and its manuhiri to our rohe. It was a powerful experience, standing alongside iwi, dignitaries, and kapa haka roopu from across Aotearoa, embracing the wairua and kaupapa of this incredible event.

Throughout the festival, our students and staff immersed themselves in the performances, celebrating the beauty and strength of te reo Māori, tikanga, and kapa haka. The pride and passion on display were truly inspiring, and we acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all who made Te Matatini 2025 such a success.

Ngā mihi nunui to everyone involved—whether performing, supporting, or simply soaking in the atmosphere. It was an unforgettable celebration of Māori excellence, and we are proud to have played a part in it. Tū te ihi, tū te wehi, tū te wana!

On the 13th of February we had our first cohort of ākonga start their Trades Academy journey at WITT. Trades Academy is a partnership between Taranaki secondary schools, WITT, and various industry partners.

The courses began with a pōwhiri welcome and orientation that was attended by participating students and members of the Vocational Pathway team.

Trades Academy offers a practical and hands-on, adult learning environment using industry-standard equipment and technology. Students study one day a week at the WITT campus and develop foundational skills in various career paths such as Agriculture, Hairdressing, Barbering, Beauty and Makeup Artistry, Cookery, Automotive, Joinery, Plumbing, and Creative Arts.

Spotswood College entered teams in most of the categories at the TSSSA Beach volleyball competition held at Ngamotu beach on the 16th February. With excellent results.

Senior Girls Pairs

1st Chelsea Gartner & Lola Crawshaw

3rd Scarlett Dinnis & Tia Christiansen

4th Ella Chase & Hannah Dixon

Senior Girls 4's

2nd Madison Abrams, India Kanika-Prasad, Layla Chase, Zaria Davis

3rd Sylvia Larkin, Janneke Scrimgeour, Imogen Miles, Abbi Walbank

Senior Boys Pairs

1st Tahi Te Awa & Dhio Yoshimura

2nd Kingston Lilo & Westley Oakes-Hill

3rd Olly Smith & Kingston Davis

Junior Girls Pairs

2nd Dhanna Cortez & Charlotte Taylor

Junior Boys 4's

1st Neihana Allison, Phoenix Ardell, Locksely Lundy, Brayden Kennard

Linocut Print by Lola Crawshaw

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.

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

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.

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

Option 4: Email absent@spotswoodcollege.school.nz. Please provide your child's name, and reason for absence.

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 Jenine the Attendance Officer or she will pass you on to the DEAN or your child’s Learning Advisor.