This term ANZAC Day was in our first week and Hannah Freeman spoke on the school’s behalf at the service whilst Gideon Rihari read the ode in Te Reo. The Prefects as a group marched in the parade and we received many positive comments from the community for their pride and Hannah’s speech.

In the last week of the holiday our Kapa Haka group was asked to open the relocated ASB branch. This was another great opportunity for our students to excel in the wider community and I wish to congratulate then on their work.

Stephanie Skilton will be playing in the Women’s Soccer World Cup in Japan later this year and on behalf of the school I would like to say ‘well done and good luck’.

On a more disappointing note we have had complaints via the police about the behaviour of some of our students in town after school.  As parents you need to be aware of what your children are doing once they leave school and encourage them to behave responsibly.

The Parent Conferences have gone very well and I am pleased to see so many of our children making plans for their futures.

NCEA option booklets for next year will be out this term.  The Year 11 students in particular will need to be considering their option choices as  most Year 12 students in 2013  will be on Vocational/Academic programmes linked to career pathways.

A theme that we will be reinforcing with the students next week is to be ‘in class on time’.  Please support us with this by making sure that your children leave home promptly and come to us ready to learn.

Finally we have been hosting a group of Thai students for the last three weeks and the Papakura High and Thai students have made many friendships.  We always enjoy having our Thai guests and look forward to the next group in October.