Kia Ora Tatou
There are now only three weeks until the end of term, and we have entered an exciting phase of the year with the official beginning of Spring on Monday. This is really a great time of the year, as the days begin to lengthen and the weather improves, and we are able to enjoy the wonder of spring.
There have been signs of spring around for some time with large numbers of calves and lambs dotting roadside paddocks, and of course sightings of daffodils, spring flowers, and spring growth. After the dark cold days of winter, the arrival of spring is always welcome. There is a special magic about this season – it is a time of new and renewed growth, and hope. And of course the lead into summer, and summer activities (and cricket!!).
As someone new to this side of the mountain, the lush vegetation indicates much better growing conditions than most areas - climate, plenty of rain, and rich soil. The amazing School grounds are a prime example of this,
With the arrival of Spring, the Winter Sports Season is drawing to a close. I wish to thank all those people who have been involved this year. Sport plays a huge role in the personal growth and development of young people. However without the support of parents, whanau, and importantly coaches, children wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow through sport the skills and attitudes that contribute to their development as people. The hope also is that their love of sport will continue into adult life, and provide them with healthy lifelong recreational options.
For parents the weekly grind of getting kids to and from practices, and then to games on the weekend, can be tough at times. But in the overall scheme of things it is for only a very short period of your lives - soon your children will be all grown up and doing their own thing, and you may even find yourself missing the chaos of Saturday Sport.
Life here at School is very busy, as always, with The School Production - (“Blue Ribbon Belle”) currently a major focus. Any Production/Show is an absolutely massive undertaking. From the outside looking in, it is staggering how many moving parts there are, and how much coordination is required to bring it all together - but it always seems to work in the end.
The Production this year is a great example of the huge amount of organization and coordination required, particularly as the whole School is involved, with each Class allocated a part. Arts Teacher Kelly Waugh is Director/Producer and the energy behind the show. However she is well supported by Ian Robinson, who is responsible for the Technical side of things (lighting and sound), while many other Staff are also contributing.
One of the great advantages of being an Area School, is the range of specialist abilities that occurs naturally among the Staff - for example the Hard Materials Department (with Tutor Steven Leppard) has assisted building the props. So essentially, the Production is a real community effort.
Blue Ribbon Belle will be a highlight of 2025 - we hope you all take the opportunity to attend a performance next week.
Time is passing quickly for our NCEA Students, and this week they have been involved in benchmark exams. The ability to study effectively, and efficiently, is a learned skill. Acquiring the knowledge to pass examinations requires hard work and effort - that is why they are called examinations. In this day and age, when we often seem to spoon feed our young people, there is still no hiding from the fact that sometimes it is simply a matter of rolling the sleeves up, and working hard.
Learning, success at School, success in sport, success in life generally, requires effort, concentration, and application. Similarly passing exams requires effort, concentration, and application. That is simply a fact. The rewards however are substantial, but relate to the effort put in.
As mentioned above it has been a busy period. The Year 4-13 Cross Country on Wednesday was a huge success, with a very high level of participation, and excellent competition, across all age groups. The course here is nothing short of spectacular, as highlighted in the photos in this Newsletter, and on the School Facebook.
Thank you to the large number of parents and family members who turned out in support. Thanks also to Gemma Chambers, and Heather Jull for coordinating this event.
Nga mihi nui
Richard McMillan
PRINCIPAL
BOT News - Staffing Update
After a thorough selection process, Acting DP Sarah Oke, was last week upgraded to the role of Permanent Deputy Principal. Sarah is an integral member of this School and Community, and this step is a positive decision for the future direction and overall health of the School. Huge congratulations to her!!
The following Statements are from the Covering Letter she attached with her application, and provide insight into the strength of her commitment to this School:-
“......I choose to be at Coastal Taranaki School because I believe in our kura and its potential as a unique, seamless Area School, and I know I can contribute meaningfully to its continued growth.
….. At CTS, I’ve served on the FOCTS Committee, organised staff wellbeing and
morale events, planned farewells, and supported colleagues as a Team Leader,
Levels Teacher, and Bus Leader. I’ve led the Coastal Curriculum Inquiry Team and
the Kai mō ngā tamariki programme, Food in Schools initiatives. I have willingly
stepped in to lead restorative behaviour processes and consistently support my
peers with resources, time, and advice. I do all of this because I am invested - in
our people, in our place, and in our shared future.
…….I lead by example. I’m hands-on, I put my hand up, and I give my time,
knowledge, and support without expectation of recognition. I do this because I
believe he rau ringa e oti ai—many hands make light work.”
Advertising for the Role of Principal began on Monday. The Appointment Process will be completed in mid-October, and the successful applicant will begin in Term 1, 2026.
