Newsletter - Term 4 Week 1

I trust everyone had a productive, yet restful holiday. I was pleased to have missed the snow, having set off to Golden Bay just prior for a short break, but acknowledge the hardship that this caused to others.

Term 4 has started at pace, it is great to return to the 'normality' of Level 1 with all sports, assemblies and meetings back to full throttle.

Over the course of the holidays two of our senior students were able to access some great opportunities. Lauren Grant had an Outward Bound experience and Shannon Gordon used Gateway funding to access a taster course at Queenstown Resort College. Both students will provide a breakdown of their experiences to the community soon. Well done to both for grabbing these opportunities and gaining some experiences outside of school!

At the start of the term, we welcomed two new enrolments into our New Entrant class. A warm welcome to both Lachlan Cairns and Evie McCall. We're looking forward to sharing your learning journey with you!

This week we have marked both Mental Heath Awareness Week and Pink Shirt Day - both have served up opportunities to develop tuakana-teina relationships across the school. Today, Bronte Williams and Dannielle Mason have run sessions with Room 19 and Years 7-9 focusing on Care and Co-operation. Their work counts towards their current Health assessment as well as enhancing their leadership skills. The day culminated with a whole-school gratitude exercise - we'll share pictures on Facebook as soon as we are able. Thank you to Mrs Bopp for organising the host of events this week, which have included both staff and student activities.

Yesterday, you will have received a communication from the Board to let the community know of my appointment to the position of Principal at Twizel Area School, commencing in Term 1, 2021. Although I am looking forward to the challenges a larger school brings, I am moving on with sadness. That being said, there is an entire term of hard work between now and then - my commitment is, as always, to developing our learners to be the best they can be. You can be assured, my attention to this job, and this school will not waver in coming weeks!

News

Shannon at the QRC Experience

Read about Year 13 student Shannon Gordon's experience at QRC, the Tourism & Hospitality college in Queenstown during the school holidays...

New Zealand ShakeOut

The Catlins Area School staff and students participated in this week's New Zealand ShakeOut, our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi (evacuation).

Scarf Design Competition

Thank you to everyone who voted for our scarf designs. Students in Years 1-6 were able to place their votes manually at the student centre earlier this week.

Board of Trustees Student Representative

The Board of Trustees at The Catlins Area School is proud to announce their new Student Representative on the Board as Katelyn Jackson, Year 10.

WATCH VIDEO

Kahurangi Māori Cultural Performance Group

On Monday of next week, we have the pleasure of hosting Kahurangi, a Māori Cultural Performance Group. All students will attend the show from 1-2 pm, this has been fully funded by our Campbell Trust Cultural Fund. There is no charge to students.

Lauren's Outward Bound Adventure

Read about Year 12 student Lauren Grant's Outward Bound adventure during the school holidays...

Introducing Brent Sanderson

The staff and Board at The Catlins Area School would like to welcome our new Groundsperson - Brent Sanderson.

W.M. Campbell Trust Scholarship

W.M. Campbell Trust Scholarship applications are now open.

Term 4 2020 Policy Review

The Board of Trustees are reviewing the following Policies in Term 4, 2020...

Events

For your information

The Primary School's end-of-year concert will take place on Monday, 7th December at 7pm in the Owaka Community Centre. Rooms 1, 2, 3 & 19 will each be performing a small production involving singing, dancing and drama. There will also be combined singing involving all the Primary students.