Kia ora e te whānau,

It has been another busy and positive week at Horoeka Haemata, with plenty happening across both campuses.

I am delighted to share that Alby Wilson has been permanently appointed to the role of Associate Principal. Alby is already well known to our learners, staff and whānau and has made a significant contribution to Rolleston College over many years. He brings strong relationships, a deep commitment to our young people, and a clear understanding of who we are as a kura and where we are heading. I am really pleased that Alby will continue as part of our senior leadership team in this permanent capacity, helping lead our one school – two campuses journey.

For our learners, this week has had a learning focus as they undertake their derived grade and CAA exams. Derived grade exams are an important opportunity for learners to demonstrate their progress, experience examination conditions and identify where their focus needs to be as they head towards the final part of the year. I have been impressed by the purposeful way our learners have approached this period. To our learners sitting exams: prepare well, back yourselves, and remember that the work you put in now matters.

There has been some welcome physical progress at Te Kura Tuatahi, with our full fields reopening following the drainage work. Having these spaces available again makes a real difference to everyday school life – for PE, sport, break times and simply having room for our learners to get outside and be active. Thank you to everyone for their patience while this work has been completed.

These three things may seem quite different, but together they reflect a kura that continues to move forward: investing in our people, supporting our learners to achieve, and improving the spaces in which they learn and belong.

Mā tātou katoa e whakatipu ai — together, we create the conditions for our young people to grow and succeed.

Ngā mihi nui,
Rachel Skelton
Tumuaki | Principal