Nau mai haere mai!
As we approach the end of another busy and rewarding term, I have been reflecting on our school value of Growth (Tipu Ake). Growth is not always measured by grades or trophies. Often, it is found in the courage to try something new, the willingness to step outside our comfort zones, and the determination to keep improving even when things are challenging.
The last week of term will also saw us celebrate Matariki, a special time in Aotearoa that reminds us to pause, reflect on the year that has been, celebrate the present, and look with hope and optimism toward the future. Matariki is deeply connected to growth. Just as the stars signal the beginning of a new cycle, they remind us that growth comes from reflection, gratitude, and setting new aspirations for ourselves and our communities.
Nothing demonstrated this spirit of growth more than our incredible school production, Back to the 80’s. The performances were simply outstanding, and the feedback from our community has been overwhelmingly positive. Students embraced new challenges, discovered talents they may never have known they possessed, and delivered a show that entertained and inspired.
Productions of this scale do not happen by accident. They require hundreds of hours of dedication, creativity, and teamwork. I would like to sincerely thank our staff, students, parents, and community members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the production such a success.
A very special acknowledgement must go to Ben Robertson, teacher at Geraldine Primary School, who stepped into the production at extremely short notice following Shalom’s unfortunate injury just one week before opening night. Ben’s willingness to help exemplified the very best of our community spirit and ensured the show could go on. We are incredibly grateful for his support and wish Shalom a speedy recovery.
As one group of students finishes their term with a standing ovation, others are preparing to represent our school and region on the sporting stage. We wish our students competing at the South Island Secondary Schools Junior Netball Championships in Christchurch every success. We also extend our best wishes to those representing South Canterbury Basketball at the Under 16 and Under 18 National Championships in Auckland and Christchurch. We are immensely proud of the way our students continue to pursue excellence and represent Geraldine High School with pride and humility.
This Monday also provided an important opportunity for parents and caregivers to hear from Rob Cope, whose presentation highlighted the hidden dangers that can exist in our children’s online world. His message was both thought-provoking and practical, reminding us that while technology provides wonderful opportunities, it also requires us to remain vigilant and informed as parents and educators.
I encourage all parents and caregivers to listen to Rob’s excellent conversation on the Between Two Beers podcast:
Between Two Beers Podcast – Rob Cope on the Online World Facing Young People
As we head into the holidays, I encourage all students to take the opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. The next two weeks are a chance to fortify yourselves for the term ahead.
When we return for Term 3, our focus shifts to our next school value: Resilience (Tū Kaha). Resilience is about responding positively to challenges, persevering when things are difficult, and supporting others when they need us most. Every challenge presents an opportunity to grow stronger, and I encourage our students to return ready to embrace this value in their learning, relationships, and contributions to our school community.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to another wonderful term at Geraldine High School. Together, we continue to grow stronger.
Ngā mihi nui,
Marcus Cooper
Principal | Tumuaki
Geraldine High School – Te Kura Tuarua o Raukapuka
Growing stronger, together.
