This week, we presented our 2026 Year 9 Scholarships. These scholarships recognise students who have demonstrated strong achievement and show potential in academic excellence, the arts or sport.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the past week was our Athletics Sports Day at Memorial Park. The weather was perfect, and it was pleasing to see the large numbers of students who made the most of the day and took part in their chosen events. My thanks go to our Sports Department, ably led by Shane Carvell, who did a wonderful job organising the event, and my congratulations to those athletes who won their events. I would also like to acknowledge everyone who did their best when it came to running, jumping, and throwing, even if they did not win. Everyone’s willingness to give things a go made the event a very special day in the school calendar.

Thanks to those who are contacting the school about the new attendance criteria and our required response plan. We appreciate that there have been significant changes in response to non-attendance, including an automated response email from our KAMAR student management system once a student has missed five full days of school in a term. Whilst we are hopeful to improve the attendance rates of some students, we don’t want parents and whānau to feel that they have to send sick children to school. This may also apply to students who may have had an operation, a longer-term injury or illness. If students are feeling well, they should be at school; if they are unwell, they are best to recover at home. Please keep contacting the college if you have further queries.

It’s been great to see how well students have settled into their routines so early in the year. Most timetables are now locked in, and students are getting to know their teachers, course descriptions and classmates. Now is the time to engage in learning, to be organised, and to manage time wisely.

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to the 2026 school year.

We are delighted to welcome both new and returning students and their whānau into the Taieri College community. It is a pleasure to have you with us, and we look forward to partnering with you as your young people continue their learning journey. Your support and connection are deeply valued by the college, and we are excited for all that the year ahead holds.

Welcome to the last newsletter of 2025!

A massive thank you to our Ako Centre staff and students for designing and constructing a Christmas-themed Alice in Wonderland fun zone! The costumes, food, and props were magnificent, and it was a great privilege to share in their celebration.

We certainly got a taste of summer this week with the thermometer tipping 30 degrees for a couple of days!

NCEA examinations finished this week, and now the wait starts for our seniors while they are being marked. I sincerely hope students obtain the results they intended.

A huge congratulations to our Year 9 and 10 students for the excellent attitude displayed during the recent end-of-year English and Mathematics exams. Staff have commented on the focus, determination, and positive approach shown by the vast majority of our students throughout the assessment period. I wish all students the very best for their results. The results of these exams help us form judgments in making sure students are in the right subjects in 2026.

NCEA exams continue to run smoothly, and we are well through the timetable. Students are showing up well prepared, and it is important they keep maintaining good study habits right up until their last exam.

Our senior students are now well underway with their NCEA external examinations. We are pleased to report that everything is progressing smoothly, with students showing up on time and ready to go! Thorough preparation and a balanced routine are key to success. Make sure to review your notes, get plenty of rest, and reach out to your teachers if you need any support.

My thanks to everyone who contributed to our successful senior prizegivings on Thursday evening. Our Year 11 students were joined by an encouraging number of parents and whānau at 5.00pm, and this was followed up by a very large crowd at 7.00pm who joined us to celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 and 13 students.

The past few days have brought exceptionally extreme weather to our region, with strong winds impacting Mosgiel and the wider Taieri area. We know that many families have faced challenges, whether it was disrupted travel, power outages, or damaged property. We sincerely hope that everyone in our Taieri College whānau has managed to stay safe during the week’s severe weather. If anyone has ongoing concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school office or your child’s form teacher.

We’re getting to the stage of the year where we formally recognise the outstanding achievements our senior students have made during 2025. This week, our Academic Prefects (Keira Hughes, Niamh Clark, Max Shrimpton, and Zac Whitley) instigated a luncheon for students who attained Excellence subject endorsement last year. They also invited the teachers of the students who attained this high level of qualification. Keira Hughes (Academic Prefect) delivered an excellent speech that congratulated the students on their efforts and thanked the teachers for their input. The Academic Prefects have issued a challenge to make this an annual event, and given the success of the occasion, I can find no reason why it shouldn’t be.

Welcome back to Term 4. A huge thank you to the number of parents and whānau who joined us this week as part of our 2026 subject selection evenings. We are so fortunate at Taieri College to be able to offer such a wide range of subject options. While the advantages of this are very clear, it also means it is important to use due diligence when selecting an appropriate course from such a variety of options. We greatly value the opportunity to talk with students and their whānau to share an understanding of what students will be studying, and just as importantly, where their chosen course may take them.

As we approach the course selection period for 2026, we want to emphasise the importance of making thoughtful and informed decisions around subject choice. Choosing the right courses is crucial to academic success and keeping future career pathways open. We encourage students to consider their interests, strengths, and long-term goals when selecting their subjects. It's essential to seek guidance from teachers, career advisors, whānau, and parents to ensure that the chosen courses align with their aspirations.

Our triennial elections for our Board of Trustees have just concluded, and my congratulations to those who have been elected. In New Zealand state secondary schools, the board of trustees is responsible for the governance and management of the school. The board is a Crown entity, meaning it operates as part of the New Zealand public sector. The primary role of the board is to ensure that every student achieves their highest possible standard in educational achievement. This involves setting the strategic direction for the school, protecting the school's values, monitoring and evaluating student learning outcomes, approving policies, and ensuring financial stewardship. The board also plays a crucial role in building community engagement and support.

I was proud to attend this week's Polyfest and watch our junior and senior Kapa Haka groups on stage. Both groups gave excellent performances, and it was clear that a lot of practice had gone into refining their routines. My congratulations to the students involved and my thanks to the staff and whānau who played a significant role in the weeks of practice, and for helping backstage on the night.

Taieri College has been well represented across several sporting codes during School Sport New Zealand’s annual winter tournament week. Our netballers showed great strength of character after some tough losses in pool play to bounce back and go through the rest of their week unbeaten. Their week culminated in playing off for the Waitaki Plate against Otago Girls' High School (who they had lost to in pool play). In a closely fought game, Taieri edged ahead and eventually took out the game 35-32. A deserved ending to an excellent season.

Thank you to our senior students for their commitment and efforts during Senior Assessment Week. Students have adhered well to examination protocols. Examination periods are never easy; they bring the stress of revision, the challenge of time management, and the pressure of obtaining the best results possible. For some students, their results will be an affirmation that things are on track, and for others, a potential wake-up call to get things sorted before November.

Next week is senior assessment week, where the majority of our Year 11-13 students will sit examinations linked to their fast-approaching end-of-year NCEA external examinations. Exams are an important milestone for secondary students. The pressure of exams can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, students can turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth.