Friday 31st October 2025

Kia ora whānau

What a wonderful week it has been with our senior prizegiving in the Hall the centrepiece of our celebrations. It was a fitting way to say farewell to a fantastic group of students who are leaving us. Thank you to all those involved in the organisation, the Community Association for providing supper and the many of you who attended. Despite not being completely finished, and without the pipe organ in place the Hall still looked and felt fantastic.

Congratulations to Noah Fifita on being named Dux, Forrester House on winning the Scrano; Ned Newlands- Carter being named head boy and Quinn Neal and Isi Manu being named deputy head boys for 2026. Along with the many other prize winners but most importantly all the leaving student’s - thanks for all you have given to our school.

Following the prizegiving Year 12 and 13 students have gone on study leave whilst the Year 11’s remain until next Wednesday. We have gone over our expectations with the boys and would appreciate your support in encouraging them to study and prepare best for their upcoming exams. It is a requirement that they wear their uniform correctly to their exams.

On the staffing front there has been a lot of movement in the past fortnight. Congratulations to Jordan Horrell who has been appointed as the Assistant Rector of Teaching and Learning, replacing Aisea Fifita. Scott Mayhew has resigned as Director of Boarding and taken up a position as a full-time teacher of Physical Education. Milise Fifita has been appointed as a teacher of Pasifika studies and ESOL. Current vacancies that are advertised include Assistant Rector school operations, Director of Boarding, a Science teacher and an English teacher. As those appointments are made, I will keep you informed.

Huge congratulations to our Chess team who are the national online champions and Paul Gudoy (Year 11) who is the national champion following a tournament held last weekend. Chess continues to go from strength to strength under the passionate leadership of Greg Familton. Good luck to the eleven students and one staff member who have been nominated as finalists for the Aoraki sports awards this evening.

For the next fortnight I am away overseas on an international marketing campaign. Stephen Briscoe will be deputising in my absence.

Thanks for your ongoing support and have a wonderful weekend.

He waka eke noa

Floreat Waitakia - We are Waitaki

Darryl Paterson

Rector

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