Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinian's and Friend of the College

Congratulations to the students who were awarded Academic Blues and Merit Badges at our Excellence Assembly on Wednesday. It was a pleasure to be able to welcome a record number of students and their whanau to the Redcastle for the traditional afternoon tea. Thank you to Mrs Burton for the event organisation and our Home and School Committee for providing the hospitality. The awarding of 99 certificates for endorsement lifts the academic bar, but also challenges us as a College to continue lifting student expectations of achievement on the path from good to great.

Following on from our academic success we have initiated a radio advertising campaign looking to attract boarding students to the College. This initiative begins with a branding campaign in Central Otago, South Canterbury and Westland. Our best form of marketing is word of mouth, relaying our success stories and I encourage our community to promote the boarding hostel to friends and family.

This week our VPath students have commenced their vocational programmes at Aoraki Polytechnic. Mrs Jackson has been working with students to develop personalised courses that meet their career needs. Currently we have 21 people on Gateway courses which allow them all the benefits of the traditional school environment coupled with the flexibility to follow their career passion. Thank you to the guidance team for their hard work arranging  these courses and to our wider community for helping with student placements and quality mentorship.

Professional learning and development for Head of Faculties began this week. This capacity building is made possible by partnership between the College, Otago University and Ngai Tahu and is being funded by the Ministry of Education. We are also about to enter another partnership to build capability in the area of Talented and Gifted students. We would like to acknowledge the efforts of staff and university academics to keep us on the cutting edge of educational practice.

Finally, apologies to any caregivers who have been inconvenienced by the tree felling at the College exit. This is being carried out by Network Waitaki in conjunction with the College Foundation to protect the high voltage line into the North Oamaru substation which passes through the property and our own 11,000 Volt supply line. Logging should be finished next week.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal