Stratford High Times

Kia ora koutou,

A warm welcome back to all our students, staff, and whānau as we settle into the school year. It’s hard to believe we are already five weeks in, and what a fantastic start it has been!

Our school spirit has been on full display through our recent events. Tabloid Sports, Athletics Day, and Swimming Sports have all been outstanding showcases of our students’ enthusiasm, pride in their houses, and commitment to our school. It has been heartening to see such high levels of participation and support, reinforcing the strong culture that makes our school community so special.

Thank you to all who attended our New Parents Afternoon and NCEA Information Evening. Your engagement in your child’s education is invaluable, and we appreciate the effort you make to stay informed and involved. Strong partnerships between school and home contribute significantly to student success.

Our school continues to grow, now with a roll of just over 650 students. A special welcome to our 171 Year 9 students—our largest intake since the 1960s! It is exciting to see our school thriving, and we are committed to ensuring every student receives the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

Our provisional NCEA results are now available, and we are pleased to report that all year levels performed well above the national average. We were significantly ahead of schools in our equity index band (formerly known as the decile system) at all year levels. While there is always room for improvement, the progress over the past three to four years has been significant. This is a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support from parents and caregivers—thank you for being part of this journey.

Attendance remains a key focus for us. It is no secret that regular attendance is closely linked to both academic achievement and social development. We encourage all students to maintain good attendance habits, as being present and engaged each day lays the foundation for future success.

Our Puāwai programme has had a fantastic start, with students actively exploring their future aspirations and setting meaningful goals. This work is leading up to our Poutama Day on Thursday, 6th March, where students will lead conversations about their aspirations and the goals they have set. This is an important opportunity to strengthen the partnership between students, teachers, and parents. The electives within this programme have seen strong engagement, providing exciting opportunities for students to develop new skills and interests.

Our vision is to develop well-rounded young people, ready to excel in the world. It has been a positive start to the year, and we look forward to what’s ahead. Thank you all for your continued support in making our school a place where students can grow, achieve, and thrive.

Ngā mihi nui,

Cameron Stone

Principal

L-R: Sheeral Mani, Taylyn Kelsen, Georgia Payne, Zeta Barber, Kiahna Smith, Kynin Gaby, Slade Lowe, Addison Whitikia, Justin Salisbury, Matthew McCallum, Billy Green, Peyton Crofskey, Amy Petersen, Aaliyah Tilby, Alivia Kells, Maddison Walsh, Mr Stone

Head Girl - Addison Whitikia

Head Boy - Justin Salisbury

Board of Trustees Rep - Matthew McCallum

Student Council Chair - Kiahna Smith

Student Council Chair - Billy Green

Sports Captain & Amess House Leader- Zeta Barber

Sports Captain & McAllister House Leader - Slade Lowe

Arts Captain - Aaliyah Tilby

Arts Captain - Alivia Kells

Cultural Leader - Taylen Kelsen

Cultural Leader & McAllister House Leader - Sheeral Mani

Community Leader & Trimble House Leader- Georgia Payne

Community Leader & Tyrer House Leader- Maddison Walsh

Amess House Leader - Kynin Gaby

Tyrer House Leader - Peyton Crofskey

Trimble House Leader - Amy Petersen

Back Row - Miss Kate Redpath - English, Social Science, Ms Chantal Smith - Te Rangimārie Learning Support Assistant, Mr Archie Taylor - Mathematics, Miss Katie Jones - English, Mrs Tiffany Radich - Careers Advisor, Mrs Riejanne Campbell - Food Technology, Vocational Pathways, Ms Gina Vecchia - Te Rangimārie Learning Support Assistant

Front Row - Ms Crystalee Jane -Te Rangimārie Learning Support Assistant, Mrs Melisa McEwen-Shepherd - Junior Curriculum, Ms Katrina Ward - Digital Technology, Ms Julie Bland - Science

Students in Te Rangimārie have had a great start to the year.

We are continuing the Reggio Emilia approach to learning that we started in 2024. We have been thrilled to see the ease at which our students have returned to school and the confidence they showed at the end of last year has continued to grow. They see themselves as being capable, curious and creative – which is our view of them.

We have several senior students going to a Supported Café Cookery and Barista course next week and some going to work experience at Atawhai Nursery. Our students have enjoyed joining in electives with the rest of the school. Four of our students are going to RDA on Thursday mornings and we appreciate the wonderful team of volunteers at RDA who provide horses and supervisors to make this possible.

Later in the term our whole class will have the opportunity to participate in some TSSSA All Ability Sports Events.

Please find a letter from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand below regarding the Year 9 health assessments. If you would like to opt out, please let the school office know.

The Kamar portal has been updated and can be accessed at https://stratfordhigh.school.kiwi/ This will be further developed this term and will eventually include features such as payments, course selection etc. More details will follow about this in due course.

Please inform the school office of any student achievements so that we can join in celebrating with them.

There are a variety of ways that you can make payments to cover school costs. The main office receives cash and EFTPOS payments and you can also pay online via direct credit. Parents can also set up an automatic payment to cover schooling costs. When setting up the automatic payment, consider a minimum payment of $15.00 per week, which is sufficient to pay for all school, curriculum and sport costs for a student during the year.

Payments will be automatically applied to “required payments”. Subsequent payments will sit as a credit on the student’s account. If you would like to have payments allocated to the “voluntary payments”, please email ts@stratfordhigh.school.nz with the details.

You can set this up by either using your bank’s online banking services or downloading the Automatic Payment Authority form and taking this to your bank. Please remember to use the students’ name for any payments.

Have you moved recently? Have you changed your phone number or email address recently? Please fill out the following form to advise us of your new details. Also fill out this form if you have not been receiving emails from the school. There are a number of families who we don't currently have an email address for.

It is very important we have the correct information for your child in case there is an emergency and we need to contact you immediately. If any contact details change throughout the year please let the school office know.

See below for instructions to provide feedback on the Health and Safety Management policy.

1. Visit the website Stratford HS Policies and Procedures (schooldocs.co.nz)
2. Enter the username (stratfordhigh) and password (swansearoad4332)
3. Click on the tab for current review and it should show you the latest policies for review.
4. Read the policy.
5. Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
6. Select the reviewer type "Parent".
7. Enter your name (optional).
8. Submit your ratings and comments.
9. If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

As we progress through the year, remember to check your son's or daughter's results on the Kamar app or portal: https://stratfordhigh.school.kiwi/ If you have any questions, please contact the subject teacher in the first instance.

- Dr. Michael Taylor

Deputy Principal (Curriculum)

Our Charter is now available to view on our website. The charter sets the direction for our school and identifies our priorities as a school community.

The Stratford High School Policies and Procedures are managed online, through School Docs. To visit our School Docs, click here.

Our school username is: stratfordhigh

Our parent password is: swansearoad4332

You will find policies for review and more information about the review process under the "Current Review" tab. We welcome your feedback via this review process.

Rummage around for those unwanted mobile phones to donate!

We have a Mobile Phone Collection Box in our office.

The Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme has raised over $3 million for NZ charities thanks to the support of Businesses, Government Departments, Organisations and many thousands of individuals from all over NZ.

Phones received are graded, data wiped and sim/memory cards removed and destroyed. Phones that can still be used are sold by tender to off-shore businesses that specialise in the resale of second-hand mobile phones. They are refurbished and sold as low-cost handsets to places like Africa and Asia. Phones that have reached their end of life are broken down and recycled in an environmentally friendly way with up-to 95% of their materials being recycled into other products. Regardless of condition, working or non-working, make or model all mobile phones are accepted by the Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme.

The Public Health Nurse will be at school one day every week for any health needs. Clinic is confidential and free.

• Health and hauora (wellbeing checks)
• General health concerns
• Contraception
• Condoms and pregnancy tests
• STI checks and the morning after pill

To book an appointment, see the school office reception or contact the Public Health Nurse, Anne Jonas on 027 204 1134 or email anne.jonas@tdhb.org.nz

Please see the office staff if a hearing or vision test is required.

If anyone has any newspapers lying around home that is not needed, the science lab would love to take them off your hands.

Please find below key contacts for staff at school.

Senior Leadership Team

Principal: Mr Cameron Stone

Deputy Principal Curriculum: Dr Michael Taylor

Deputy Principal Pastoral and School Organisation: Ms Kelly Jennings

Assistant Principal/Academic achievement: Ms Allana George

Principal's PA: Mrs Joe Mack

School Board Secretary: Mrs Amanda Hill

Principal's Nominee

For all enquiries regarding NZQA or Te Kura

Mr Dirk Vermeulen: extension 707 or email

Deans for 2025

Year 9: Mrs Alison Wright

Year 10: Ms Kelly Rawcliffe

Year 12: Mr Bill McGeoch

Year 13: Mrs Lucy Gibbon

Guidance Counsellor: Ms. Liza Albers

Learning Support Coordinator: Mrs. Lisa Dent

For all other enquires please contact the school office 06 765 6039

Email: mail@stratfordhigh.school.nz
Website: www.stratfordhigh.school.nz
Location: Stratford High School Swansea Road, Stratford, New Zealand
Phone: 06-7656039
Facebook: facebook.com/SHSTaranaki

Instagram: @shstaranaki @heart_SHS @shs_SADD_team

Thursday 6th March - Poutama Goal Setting

Friday 7th March - Teacher Only Day

Monday 10th March - Taranaki Anniversary
Thursday 3rd April - Parent - Teacher Interviews

Friday 11th April - Last day Term 1

Monday 28th April - First day Term 2

For more information regarding Free Home Internet, please click on the link https://edos.kiwi/

We are pleased to advise that Stratford High School has reached Ferns' Fuel for School programme's threshold for redemption.

The current total is $1387.24.

We are super excited to introduce our newest addition to the program: Vegepod's. At Fern, we believe in the power of connecting kids with nature. Hands-on gardening experiences not only teach crucial life skills but also creates social bonds and boosts well-being.

You can now redeem from a range of sports, technology, literacy, music and of course Vegepod packages which will be hand delivered by your local Rural Sales Manager.

The Fuel for Schools sponsorship programme has helped put over $1.7 million dollars of resources into more than 600 rural schools in the last fifteen years.

Just a reminder of how SHS has received this donation...

SHS has been nominated by a local business/farm that receives bulk fuel deliveries from Fern, meaning that for every 100 litres of bulk fuel they purchase, 50 cents is donated to SHS. We would like to take the time to mention who those members of the community are that have contributed to SHS. They are listed as follows:

• Amberhay Limited - Finnerty Road
• G & M Collins Family Trust
• Makino Deer Limited
• Palmerdell Trust 91 Only
  
• Palmerdell Trust AGO only
• Palmerdell Trust
• Cornwall Park Farms Limited
• WE & JJ Craig
• GN & RL Smith Trusts Partnership

Rural communities and schools everywhere can enjoy the benefits of the Fuel for Schools programme. For more information about the programme, call 0800 99 99 89 or visit their website fernenergy.co.nz/community/fuel-for-schools