Kia ora tatou This week several of our Year 11 and 12 students attended the 2017 Careers Expo in Dunedin.  A wide range of businesses and training institutions were on hand to provide valuable information on what particular vocations are about, and also what qualifications are required to enter specific professions and work places.  What is apparent in today’s work place environment is that qualifications do matter, and the first qualification that students should get under their belt is NCEA.  It is our hope that the Careers Expo acts as a motivational tool for our NCEA students to knuckle down and get the results they are capable of achieving. We are experiencing a large number of absentees at the moment as a particularly nasty bout of flu is circulating.  My thanks to everyone who has informed the college when their child has been absent by ringing before the start of the school day and leaving a message when prompted.  It is really appreciated and saves us plenty of time by not having to ring home to confirm a student’s absence. It is my pleasure to congratulate our 2017 Otago Daily Times Class Act recipients, Theo Christensen and Kaylee Bezett. Theo and Kaylee will receive their award from the Prime Minister at a function in early August. Whilst congratulating Theo and Kaylee I would also like to acknowledge all applicants who put their name forward. The standard of candidates was incredibly high and thoroughly demonstrated the depth of talent we have at Taieri College. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing Queen‘s Birthday weekend. Noho ora mai Dave Hunter Principal