Newsletter - Term 3, Week 2
Thursday 4 August 2022
From the Principal
Tēnā koutou katoa
Co-curricular week
It's almost time for our students, staff and several parents to get out and about for the week. At the end of last term I was worried that Covid might raise its event-cancelling head, but we've been relatively fortunate with its impact being manageable. Experiences outside of the classroom are often the events that stay with you for life. Whether our students are skiing, camping, tramping, at work experience or on the marae, the experiences will stay with them and with any luck the learning that occurs will be relevant and spark a new interest or passion. I can't wait to communicate back to you these experiences in a future newsletter.
Junior parent teacher interviews
I really enjoyed being involved with the interviews this week. I was amazed by the honest and relevant feedback that I heard teachers relaying to parents, as well as awesome offers of support from parents to teachers. Learning is a partnership and taking time to engage with your child's teacher is one way that we can work together to help our students achieve. If you were unable to make the interviews this time around, I'd love to see you here next time. Your involvement is such a great addition to the journey your child has at Fiordland College.
Out and about
Every week our students are engaged with learning outside of the school. Our Y10s went to Invercargill for a Careers Expo, whilst our Y13s got a first-hand experience of what Dunedin has to offer tertiary students. Some of our Y7-8s also had a great day at the Southland Primary School Netball Festival. The feedback from all of the adults involved with the students was the same; that our students were great ambassadors for the College. It's an excellent reminder that we are really privileged to work at a school with such great students and supportive families. I really appreciate the support you give us, particularly during this time when everything seems to cost so much more than it used to.
Farewells and welcomes
At the end of last term Tracy Couling and Kate Malan resigned from their teacher aide and sports coordinator roles respectively. The students made a point at our assemblies to let them know just how valuable their contribution to the school had been for them. It's always hard to say goodbye to people who have given so much to our community.
We have now filled the vacancies created with their departures. Inger Nicholson, Ben Whetter and Jim Woods have stepped in to support our students and teachers as teacher aides, whilst Ben has also picked up the sports coordinator role. Inger, Ben and Jim will bring their own strengths to these roles and are already proving to be a great addition to our school.
Ngā mihi nui
Steven Mustor
Spirit of Adventure Voyage
On the 18th - 28th of July, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity of going on the Spirit of New Zealand, from Opua to Auckland on a 10-day youth development voyage with 38 other students and 14 crew from all over NZ. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. The 10 days consisted of a variety of things including sailing, 6.30 am swims every day, a 15km day tramp on Great Barrier Island, leadership training, team building exercises, and much more. Some highlights of mine were being elected as cook alongside another girl for trainee day and therefore cooking for 52 people for 24 hours, and climbing to the top of the 30m+ mast in a harness. I really enjoyed pushing myself out of my comfort zone throughout the trip, and I was amazed at how fast we all formed close friendships during the 10-day voyage.
Zara Smith
