Please read important information regarding COVID here.

As you will be aware, we are again facing the disruption that is caused through the change of the COVID Alert Levels.  While this is not easy, we are doing our best to make certain that life at the College continues by adjusting to this as and when required.  We have been able to run some hugely successful events and I was thrilled to be able to attend and watch our students in action at the recent equestrian event held in Waikanae.  This was an absolute credit to our parents who have stepped in to organise this and I am not surprised that it is now the second largest event in the equestrian college sport calendar in New Zealand.  We have been lucky to avert being affected by COVID at that time.

More recently we have had our swimming sports, which traditionally culminate in a whole-school interhouse competition.  However, this time around we have had to limit this to a competitors only event.  Congratulations to all those students who participated and to those students who were able to re-write our record books.  Congratulations to you all.  Full details will be published in the next Newsletter.

Coming up we have the SS Otaki Commemoration Service to be held on Friday March 12, with the theme of the bravery of young people in the face of adversity.  I would invite whānau to attend if we return to Alert Level 1.  This is a significant event in the New Zealand Merchant Navy calendar and not only recognises them as the fourth service, but also enables us to strengthen our students' understanding about our links with Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, Scotland and the tradition of the Otaki Scholar.  For those of you unfamiliar with the history behind this event please refer to this link.

It is always an exciting time when you are able to review past successes but also to look forward to the future of the College.  In these rapidly changing times it is even more important to become future focussed and, in doing so, look at the types of competencies and capabilities we need to grow in our young people to navigate a changing world.  A key way of doing this is to review and then establish a new Strategic Plan.  We are now embarking on the process with the Board of Trustees.  Your input into this as whānau is a critical part of helping to shape the direction of the College and over the year I would encourage you to attend workshops or contribute to surveys as these things take place.  

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, ēngari taku toa he toa takatini.  

Success is not the work of one but the work of many.

In closing, I look forward to seeing you on Thursday 8 April at the whānau/student/teacher afternoon/evening which is a great opportunity to meet staff and track your child's progress.