Stratford High Times
March 2026
We are excited to welcome several new staff members to our school community this year! Each brings unique strengths, fresh ideas, and a shared commitment to supporting our students to thrive. As they settle into their roles, we know our learners, whānau, and wider community will join us in making them feel at home.
Please take a moment to introduce yourself, say hello, and help us extend a warm welcome as they begin their journey with us. We’re looking forward to a fantastic year ahead, strengthened by the talent and enthusiasm they bring to our team.
Matthew Gleeson (pictured right)
Our school community gathered together for a heartfelt pōwhiri to welcome our new staff and students. The ceremony was filled with mana, warmth, and connection as we came together to uphold our traditions and embrace those joining our kura. The kōrero, waiata, and shared sense of whanaungatanga created a beautiful atmosphere, ensuring our newcomers felt supported and valued from the moment they stepped into our school whānau.
It has been fantastic to see our Year 9 students settle into life at Stratford High School so positively. The first few weeks have been full of energy, smiles, and growing confidence as they find their feet in a new environment.
A definite highlight was our day out at Vertical Horizon. It was a brilliant opportunity for students to get to know one another, build friendships, and support each other through new challenges. What a cool way to start their high school journey.
Now that timetabled classes are well underway, it’s great to see how confidently our Year 9s are navigating the school, reading their timetables, and engaging in their learning. They’ve made an impressive start, and the positive attitude they’ve shown sets them up well for the year ahead.
We are really looking forward to watching this cohort continue to grow, learn, and thrive at Stratford High School. What a great start to 2026!
We kicked off the school year with an action‑packed Tabloid Sports Day for our Year 9 and Year 13 students. The field was buzzing with energy as students rotated through a wide range of stations, including water activities, ball games, water slides, and other fun challenges. Laughter, teamwork, and plenty of friendly competition filled the day. A huge congratulations to Trimble, who topped the leaderboard after an impressive all‑round performance. It was a fantastic start to the year, and so much fun was had by all!
Despite the wet and unpredictable weather, our Swimming Sports went ahead with fantastic enthusiasm. The rain didn’t dampen our students’ spirits—in fact, their energy and determination shone through every event. One of the highlights of the day was the impressive effort from our staff, who put on a highly entertaining display of synchronized swimming that had everyone cheering. Laughter, teamwork, and plenty of friendly competition made for a memorable day, with fun had by all who took part.
Blessed with warm sunshine, our Athletics Day was a vibrant celebration of school spirit. Students turned up in an array of colourful outfits, adding energy and excitement to the events across the field. Participation was fantastic, with students giving their very best in every race, throw, and jump. The combination of great effort, bright costumes, and enthusiastic support made it a truly memorable day for everyone involved.
It has been a great start to the year in Fabric Technology at Stratford High School.
Fabric Technology at SHS is not “just sewing”. It is a Materials and Processing Technology subject where students learn to identify problems, involve stakeholders, and design and create purposeful solutions. Students are encouraged to think like designers, considering who their outcome is for, what materials are suitable, and how their design can be fit for purpose.
Our Year 10 students are underway designing an appliqué to personalise a drawstring backpack, while our Year 9 students are building confidence by learning sewing machine basics and core construction skills. The photos shared show our Year 9 class developing these foundational skills.
✨ Did you know? Fabric Technology is a bubble subject at SHS, allowing students to take it through to Year 13 and achieve Level 3 University Entrance credits.
Year 11 students, Cohen Jones and Fynn Byers participated in the Croquet New Zealand Under 21 Golf Croquet Championships at the end of last year. Held in New Plymouth, prior to Christmas, the boys tested themselves against some more experienced youth players from around the country and Australia, four of whom were involved in the World Under 21 GC Championships held in Florida last April.
Cohen and Fynn paired up in the Doubles for a couple of days, before three days of Singles, which culminated in Cohen and Fynn's last match in the Plate Playoff Finals being abandoned after rain flooded the lawns. As a result, Cohen was handed the Plate, with Fynn the Runner-Up. Both gained invaluable experience, with no less than six years of potential opportunities ahead of them to compete in this annual competition, and the potential to represent New Zealand in future World Under 21 GC Championships!
Earlier this month, Cohen has continued to progress and experience more success with his croquet, winning the Division II Singles at the recent Croquet South Taranaki Annual Tournament, played in the familiar setting of Park Croquet Club in Hawera, where he is a member.
Both Cohen and Fynn have only been playing Golf Croquet for two years, after being introduced to the game at the TSSSA Golf Croquet "Have A Go Day" as Year 9 students. A game of croquet is often compared to being like playing snooker/pool on grass, with the strategy and tactics akin to playing a game of chess. This year, TSSSA Golf Croquet is scheduled for Thursday 12 March, and students interested in having a go at this social, yet very competitive low impact sport, should see the Sports Coordinator ASAP.
For the last two-and-a-half years, Paul Bowers-Mason has been the school chaplain for Stratford High. The word “chaplain” is often a religious word for a minister in situations with special spiritual needs, like the armed forces or police. In the rest of his working life, Paul is a minister with the Anglican church, but at Stratford High he is a workplace chaplain, being a “listening ear” in support of students, staff and the whole school community. So, the conversations are not usually religious, but can be as deep and meaningful (even spiritual) as people want them to be.
Being a full-time teacher in his previous life, you will usually find him blending in to the school environment in the areas of his strengths – maths, music, and te reo – and sometimes even as a relief teacher. His contract with the school is to be available for at least two hours a week. Any person in the school community is able to contact him at paul.bowersmason@stratfordhigh.school.nz. Like the guidance staff at the school, the usual rules of confidentiality apply to his work.
Our School Charter
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.
School Policy Documents
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.
Stratford High School
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
