Stratford High Times

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,

As we approach the end of the year, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown. Recently, we had the privilege of celebrating the achievements of our junior students at the Junior Prizegiving ceremony. This event was a standout, with a record number of students crossing the stage to receive academic awards. It’s always a highlight of the year to acknowledge and celebrate our students’ success in academics, sports, and cultural pursuits.

A special congratulations to the recipients of our four major junior awards. These trophies recognize outstanding contributions and achievements across various areas:

• The Herewini Trophy for Junior Men’s Sports Personality: Cadyn Booker

• The Tania Stapp Trophy for Junior Women’s Sports Personality: McKenzie Reed

• The Iritana Apaapa Memorial Trophy for Junior Personality: Sam Campny and Brady Reed

• The Terry Chadwick Memorial Trophy for Best All-round Junior Student: Celia Gribble

We are incredibly proud of all our award winners and the hard work and dedication they’ve demonstrated throughout the year.

As is tradition, our junior students finished the year with Activities Week, a wonderful opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage in hands-on learning and relationship-building in a more relaxed setting. While most students embrace this unique experience, there are some who choose not to participate. Unfortunately, those who don’t attend miss out on invaluable opportunities to learn, grow, and connect in a different environment. We are one of the few schools in the region to offer an Activities Week of this format and duration, and it remains a highlight of our school calendar.

Looking ahead, we continue see our school roll grow. With 160 Year 9 students already enrolled for 2026, it will be another busy year at school. This reflects the strong community support and vibrant culture of Stratford High School.

Please take note of important dates as we begin the new school year:

• Thursday, 29 January 2026: First day for all new students, including Year 9 and 13 students. This will provide an opportunity for orientation before all year levels begin.

• Friday, 30 January 2026: All students return.

Stationery lists for the new year are now available on the school website and within this newsletter. Year 9 students will receive their timetables at the start of the school year. There is more detailed start of the year information later in this newsletter.

As we close out 2025, I want to express my gratitude to our school community. Your ongoing support has been instrumental in creating an environment where our students can thrive. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a relaxing summer holiday, and a safe and happy New Year.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026.

Warm regards,

Cameron Stone

Principal

Office Hours during the Holiday Period

The school office is now closed and will reopen on Tuesday 20th January.

Wednesday 21st January 2025: Second Hand Uniform Sale - 3.00pm to 5.30pm in the school hall. If you have items you wish to donate for sale, these can be dropped off on Tuesday 20th January 2025 between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Tuesday 27th of January - Year 13 Leadership Day

9.30am - 12.30pm - Year 13 student leaders meet in the library

12.30pm - 3.00pm - All Year 13 students meet in the library

Wednesday 28th January

Year 12 and 13 Course confirmation in the Hall.

• Year 12: 9:30 – 11:30am

• Year 13: 12:30 – 2:30pm

Thursday 29th January

First day of attendance for Year 9 and Year 13 only.

Students are to meet in the school hall at 9.00am. Students will be given a short welcome (Powhiri will be on Friday). Uniform is to be worn, and students are to bring pens, paper, computer, and sports gear in house colours for Tabloid Sports. Buses will be running.

Friday 30th January

All year levels attend.

Students meet in form classes. There have been some changes to form classes, and these will be visible at the office. Our Powhiri is in the school hall at 10.00am for all.

Monday 2nd February – Thursday 5th February

All year levels attend as usual.

Friday 6th February

Waitangi Day – School Closed

Other key dates in Term One:

Thursday 12th February: NCEA Information/New Parents Information Evening – 6.00pm

Friday 6th March: Teacher Only Day

Thursday 26th March: Parent Teacher Interviews

Friday 3rd April: Easter Friday incl. end of term.

Timetables

Year 9 students will receive their timetable when they arrive at school on Thursday the 29th of January.

Year 11 course confirmation took place on November 18, 2025. The 14th of February will be the last day for any timetable changes.

Course Confirmation for Year 12 & 13 Students 2026

All year 12 and 13 students will need to have their course for 2026 confirmed at the times listed below. You do not need to come in uniform.

When and where:

Wednesday 28th January in the Hall.

• Year 12: 9:30 – 11:30am

• Year 13: 12:30 – 2:30pm

Heads of Department and Deans will be available to provide advice and discuss options with you.

What if I can’t attend on Wednesday 28th January?

Course confirmation must be done in person (we are not able to process any course confirmations by email). If students cannot attend for a valid reason, then there will be a course confirmation mop up on Monday 2nd February.

Please note: Heads of Department / Deans will not be available for this session and it will be students’ responsibilities to find them in school if they need to discuss their options or check that they meet course entry prerequisites.

What to bring?

A printout of your NCEA results. These can be accessed through the NZQA website - www.nzqa.govt.nz

What happens?

1. Enter the hall via the Shakespeare Suite. See a Dean who will check you’ve met the prerequisites for your courses and discuss alternative options where your first-choice clashes on the timetable. If you wish to do a vocational course, you must speak to Mrs Lobb or Mrs Campbell.

2. Once you’ve made up your mind, go and see the relevant Heads of Department who will sign your form to say you’re able to do the course.

3. Finally take your form to Mrs George (Assistant Principal) or Mr Harris (New Deputy Principal) who will update your timetable.

Please note: No further course changes will be possible after Friday 13th February.

BYOD

Setting our students up to excel in the 21st century is critical. To support this, we ask that students bring a device to school (other than a cell phone and preferably a laptop/chromebook). This will ensure students are able to engage with all learning and develop the skills and competencies to be successful.

Here is a link to information on suitable devices for the classroom. https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/byod/

Communication

We use a school app for communication and access to important school information. Please download this to stay up to date as this will be our main form of communication. Click on the link to download our app.

https://stratford.apps.school.nz/install/

Emails will also be used to publish important information.

Our Facebook page is generally used to celebrate success and post relevant information.

Uniform:

https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/uniform

Summer Uniform: Term 1 and 4

Sandals or black polishable shoes can be worn during these terms. Boys must wear school socks with shoes. Girls must wear white ankle socks with shoes.

Winter uniform: Term 2 and 3

All students must wear shoes during these terms.

NB: Black dress pants can be worn all year round. However, students can only wear shoes with pants.

Website

Our school website has all of the latest information that will provide you with important information to start in 2026. On the website you can find the following:

• Latest newsletters (including this one) https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/news-events

• Our SchoolApp alerts and information on how to download the app https://stratford.apps.school.nz/install/

• BYOD information https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/byod/

• 2026 Term Dates (including other key dates) https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/term-dates/

• Stationery lists https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/stationery/

• Option selection/module booklets https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/option-selection/

• Uniform information https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/uniform/

• Cellphone Policy – see link within this newsletter

• Check out the video below with an outline of the 2026 curriculum

https://youtu.be/at5aVE0LCCQ

Senior Leadership Team

Principal: Mr Cameron Stone

Deputy Principal Curriculum: Mr Sam Harris

Deputy Principal Pastoral: Miss Abbey Yule

Assistant Principal/Academic Achievement: Ms Allana George

Principal's Nominee: Mr Dirk Vermeulen

2026 Deans

Year 9: Ms Kelly Rawcliffe

Year 10: Mrs Alison Wright

Year 11: Mrs Lucy Gibbon

Year 12: Miss Heidi Seales

Year 13: Mr Bill McGeoch

We extend our sincere gratitude to the staff members departing in 2025 for their unwavering commitment and valuable contributions. Your professionalism and dedication have left a lasting impact, and we wish you continued success in all future endeavors and/or retirement.

Dr Michael Taylor

Suzanne Blackwell

Archie Taylor

Fflur Morgan

Jo Thompson-Garrett

Carleen Olsen

Damian Wilson

Lauren Tewhata

Our students had an amazing time during Activities Week! We kicked things off with a fun day at SHS featuring a water slide, Dunk the Clown, a visit from Santa, and plenty of ice creams. Midweek, we enjoyed lunch at The Bridge on Fenton, followed by an exciting day in New Plymouth exploring Brooklands Zoo and bouncing around at Megabounce. The week wrapped up with our annual Whānau Day, where we welcomed families to share a special lunch together in our yard. What a wonderful way to finish the year!

Our Leavers' Dinner was a fabulous event to farewell a stunning group of young men and women. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours. May you continue to chase your dreams with courage and determination, and never stop learning along the way. Remember, the friendships and memories you’ve made here will always be a part of your journey. Go forward with confidence, knowing you have the skills and resilience to make a difference in the world.

McKenzie Reed has achieved an incredible result at the NZSSAA Track and Field Championships in Hastings, winning the silver medal in the Junior 2km Race Walk. Competing in very hot and humid conditions, McKenzie showed true grit and determination to secure second place. Congratulations McKenzie on a fantastic achievement – we are super proud of you!

In the last week of November, our Year 9 & 10 Girls Rugby 7s team attend the Condor 7s National Championships in Mount Maunganui. The girls improved throughout the tournament.

A big thanks to the following sponsors:

LC Building

Thomson, O’Neill & Co - Barrister and Solicitors

CMK Accountants

Stratford ITM

Steelformers

Electric Teck

Thanks to the Glen Law and Kerry Kretschmar for coaching and Zeta Barber and Melissa Stone for managing.

Zeta Barber continuing to excel on the court! Well done, Zeta for being named in the Carlin Davison Eva Langton Tournament All Star 5 Team.

We appreciate your feedback, which supports our continued growth as a school.

The survey will take about 3–4 minutes to complete. If you can find the time to do so, we would be grateful.

Please click the link below to complete the survey.

Wednesday 21st January 2026: Second Hand Uniform Sale - 3.00pm to 5.30pm in the school hall. If you have items you wish to donate for sale, these can be dropped off on Tuesday 20th January 2026 between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Stationery can be purchased from Paper Plus Stratford. Please take a list with you when you purchase your stationery.
Parents are also able to use the OfficeMax MySchool website or Qizzle website as all our lists are available there.

Download our school app to keep up to date with school information.

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: Mr Sam Harris

Deputy Principal Pastoral: Miss Abbey Yule

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 2026

Year 9: Ms Kelly Rawcliffe

Year 10: Mrs Alison Wright

Year 11: Mrs Lucy Gibbon

Year 13: Mr Bill McGeoch

Guidance Counsellor: Ms. Tash Allerby

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

January 28 - Course Confirmation Year 12 & 13

January 29 - Year 9 & 13 First Day

January 30 - All Year Levels to Attend

February 6 - Waitangi Day

February 12 - NCEA Information Evening/New Parents Information 6pm

March 5 - Goal Setting Day

February 6 - Teacher Only Day

March 26 - Parent/Teacher Interviews

April 2 - End of Term 1

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 $1609.30.

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