Stratford High Times

Kia ora koutou,

As we head into spring, the pace of the term continues to pick up, and with it, the importance of preparation for upcoming NCEA assessments. I recently spoke in assembly about the need to leave nothing to chance. Success in exams comes from consistency and commitment, and I encourage all our students to begin setting aside focused time each day to study, revise notes, and complete assignments. Just one hour each night can make a real difference. This is a message we reinforce at school, and I encourage you to echo it at home too.

Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who came in for our Course Planning and Selection interviews on 28 July. These conversations are vital in helping our students make informed choices about their future pathways. When school and whanau come together in this way, it sends a powerful message to our young people that we are here to support them as they grow into well rounded young people ready to excel in the world.

We’re very excited for the Taita Exchange coming up in mid-August. What began as a single rugby game in 1985 has grown into a special sporting and cultural relationship between our two schools. Exchanges like this help our students build confidence, connect with peers from different backgrounds, and grow as individuals. A huge thank you in advance to the families who will be billeting students, we are grateful for your hospitality.

Another highlight on the horizon is our school production of Mamma Mia, also taking place in mid-August. The energy, talent, and commitment of our students, and the incredible dedication of the staff supporting them, has been phenomenal. A special thanks to the team of teachers who continue to go above and beyond to bring this show to life. It promises to be a performance not to be missed!

Our School Ball is just around the corner as well. Thank you to the organising committee for their tireless efforts in making this event special for our students. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge Mrs Gibbon and Miss Whitehead for their leadership and attention to detail throughout the planning process.

Over the recent holidays, our Australian Netball Touring Team had a fantastic tour on the Gold Coast. The team competed strongly and represented Stratford High School with pride. A highlight, according to the girls, was their visit to Movie World! Thank you to Miss Kay, the supporting staff, and parents for the incredible time, effort, and planning that went into making this trip a success.

Finally, congratulations to Justin Salisbury, who has been recognised with a Youth Citizen Award by the Stratford District Council. This is a well-deserved honour that celebrates Justin’s contribution to our community. You can read more about his recognition here: Stratford District Council – 2025 Recipients.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement of our students. Together, we are helping them grow into resilient, well-rounded young people ready to take on the world.

Ngā mihi,

Cameron Stone

Principal

Stratford High School

School Board Elections

Parent Election Notice

Nominations are open for the election of 6 parent representatives to the school board.

All eligible voters will receive a nomination form either by email or post. Use this form to nominate yourself or someone in your community. You will also receive a nomination cover letter calling for nominations. Information on who is not eligible to be a board member is provided with this notice, and the nomination form.

If you need more nomination forms, contact the school office on 06 765 6039.

Nominations close at noon on Wednesday 6 August 2025. You may provide a signed candidate statement and photograph with your nomination.

The electoral roll is held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.

As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can view.

Voting closes at 4pm on Wednesday 10 September 2025.

Cameron Stone

PRINCIPAL

Congratulations to Justin Salisbury for being recognised with a Youth Citizen Award by the Stratford District Council. See more details in the link above in Mr. Stones write-up.

Over the recent school holidays, 12 excited girls and 8 supportive adults boarded a flight to the sunny Gold Coast in Australia for an unforgettable touring netball trip—and what a trip it was!

Led by our co-captains Camryn Austin and Lexi Maketoni, with Tessa Slater as vice-captain, the team proudly competed in a tough International Netball Festival tournament. Over four intense days of netball, we finished 8th out of 18 teams! It was a challenging competition, but we played our hearts out in every match and grew stronger as a team with each game.

We worked hard continuously, knowing each game would bring new challenges from the first whistle to the last. Day one concluded with a mix of wins and losses as we faced new teams and the unique obstacles that come with playing international opponents. Day two was a thriller—we won all our games, which gave our team a huge confidence boost. Day three consisted of two wins and a loss, leading into day four where we went down to a strong Fijian team and played for seventh and eighth place.

Off the court, we made the most of our time by visiting some of Australia’s most popular theme parks. We screamed our way through exhilarating rides at Movie World, even managing to persuade the adults onto some of them! We also got up close with marine life at Sea World and soaked up the fun at Wet’n’Wild. These experiences gave us a chance to bond, laugh, and create memories that will stay with us forever.

We couldn’t have done it without the amazing support from the 8 adults who travelled with us. From cheering us on from the sidelines to helping us stay organized and energized, they were incredible every step of the way.

This netball tour was more than just a sporting event—it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where friendship, teamwork, and new experiences flourished. We came back not only as better players but as closer friends, full of stories, photos, and sun-soaked smiles.

We would also like to say a massive thank you to our Netball Coordinator, Miss Kay. Your hard work, late-night organizing, and dedication to the sport of netball doesn't go unnoticed. From booking flights and accommodation to making sure we were at the courts on time, Miss Kay worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our experience was not just successful but unforgettable. Your passion for us girls never went unnoticed. The belief you had in this team meant the world to us, so we thank you. We are forever grateful for everything you did for us and our parents on this trip, and we’re so glad you made it happen. We truly couldn’t have done this without your unwavering support. Thank you for going above and beyond.

A big thank you also to Suzie Terry for everything she did behind the scenes prior to and during our trip to make our tour a reality. We truly appreciate the time and effort you put into coordinating the details and handling the finances efficiently. It made a big difference and contributed greatly to the success of the trip, making it a great experience for everyone involved. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed, nor does your bright smile and positive energy.

Lastly, thank you to our families and the community who supported us with our fundraising for the trip. We could not have done it without you all.

On Tuesday, 24th June, a group of students with a keen interest in Engineering careers embarked on an exciting and educational tour around New Plymouth, gaining firsthand insight into the world of mechanical and industrial engineering.

The day began at WITT’s Mechanical Engineering training grounds, where students got hands-on experience bending and welding metal. They observed various welding processes and learned about the technical skills required in the field. The tour continued with visits to Warner Construction, Energyworks, and Dialog Fitzroy, where students engaged with professionals and explored real-world engineering environments.

Throughout the day, students asked thoughtful questions, including how to stand out when applying for an apprenticeship. The advice they received was clear and encouraging:

Show genuine interest, maintain a great attitude, pay attention to detail, and work hard.

One of the most inspiring takeaways was the potential career trajectory. Students learned that starting an apprenticeship at 16 or 17 years old could lead to earning a six-figure income by the age of 20—a powerful motivator for those considering a future in engineering.

This tour not only provided valuable exposure to the industry but also highlighted the exciting opportunities available to those who are passionate and committed. We’re proud of our students for taking initiative and exploring pathways that could shape their futures.

On Wednesday, over 200 students from secondary schools across Taranaki gathered at PIHMS in Bell Block for the annual Thrive Student Leadership Conference. This inspiring event brought together emerging young leaders to explore leadership values, build confidence, and connect with like-minded peers.

We were proud to take a cohort of our Year 12 students—our future Year 13 leaders—who engaged enthusiastically in workshops, keynote sessions, and collaborative activities. The conference provided a valuable platform for them to reflect on their leadership potential and prepare for the roles they’ll take on in 2026.

A huge thank you to the organisers and facilitators for creating such a dynamic and empowering experience for our students!

Students who are planning to pursue careers in farming or rural land-based work (excluding veterinary science) and are beginning their first year of further education or training in 2026.

Purpose:
To support students undertaking studies that will benefit their future in farming or rural pursuits.

Next Application Round:
🗓 Open: 1 September 2025
🗓 Close: 26 September 2025

Frequency:
📅 Offered twice a year

On Saturday 19th July, eight students took part in the regional tournament, with the winner going on to represent Taranaki in the national final in Christchurch.

Our two teams of four faced stiff competition, but had some success, with both teams completing a clean sweep of their opposition in one round.

It was an exciting day, and the students enjoyed the experience. We will be back next year.

A huge congratulations to Rylee McClung, Mabel Macdonald, and Reid Macdonald

who competed in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Competition last weekend!

All three swimmers represented our school with pride, showing incredible determination, sportsmanship, and skill in the pool. We’re so proud of their efforts and achievements!

We are currently looking to expand and improve the resources available in our metal department, and we would greatly appreciate your support. If you have any old or unused tools at home—especially metalworking tools—you would be willing to donate, they could be put to excellent use by our students.

In particular, we are also on the lookout for a welding table, if anyone happens to have one they no longer need.

Please be mindful and refrain from parking in the disability parking spaces unless you have a valid disability card. These spaces are reserved for those who need them most, ensuring accessibility for people with mobility challenges. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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.

If your student has changed a subject please let Mrs Terry know via email so the statement can be adjusted to reflect the changes STerry@stratfordhigh.school.nz

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.

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.

Please find below key contacts for staff at school.

Senior Leadership Team

Principal: Mr Cameron Stone

Deputy Principal Curriculum: Dr Michael Taylor

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

2 August - School Ball

13-16 August - Mamma Mia Production

18 August - Taranaki Careers Expo
18-19 August - Taita Exchange

21 August - Parent Teacher Interviews

25 August - Mid Term Break - no school

25-29 August - Tournament Week

1-5 September - Derived Grade Exams

9-11 September - LIT/NUM Exams

Our uniquely designed sponsorship programme has provided over $2 million of resources to more than 700 rural schools in the last fifteen years.

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

The current total is $1477.21.

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
• Western Heights Partnership
• 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