News

Principal's Weekly Message

Kia Ora Whanau

Six weeks down for the term, which means 3 more weeks until

our highly anticipated School Production “Rock Bottom” hosts

its opening night, followed by four more shows over the last

week of the term. Another reminder to get in early to purchase

tickets for your chosen night and have a fun evening of

entertainment. The students in all our classes have been

working well throughout the week and are looking forward to

the long weekend. This year the country celebrates its first

King’s Birthday Weekend for over 70 years! Hopefully all the

students can have some relaxation and get ready for the final

weeks before the term holidays.

Last Friday the school was fortunate enough to host the

Rt Honourable Kiri Allan, MP for East Coast and the Minister of

Justice. Ms Allan had wanted to visit the school earlier in the

year but was called away. This time she was able to spend over

an hour in the school. She met with the School Mangai (school

student eaders) and discussed her views on leadership. They

asked her questions about her role and Ms Allan gave a real

insight into leadership and what it meant to her. She went on a

tour around the school, including seeing the school’s brand

new multi-purpose turf, that was made possible from the School

Investment Package (SIP) funding that the school received. Ms

Allan also spoke to the students at assembly and gave an

inspirational talk on the importance of regular attendance at

school. She clearly enjoyed the visit and seeing our amazing

school in action, even if it was for a brief visit. She has indicated

a desire to return and see more of what Whakatane

Intermediate School offers its students.

Yesterday the school’s Cross Country team competed at the

EBOP Inter-School event at Ohope Beach Primary School. The

team was eleven competitors strong and will represent

Whakatane Intermediate at the upcoming NZAIMS Games next

term. The results were amazing and the team can be very

proud of their efforts. It is a great chance to build on their

preparation for future competitions. Thanks to Mr Tai Miskell for

being in charge of the team and ensuring they are on track with

their training.

The school's weekly classroom attendance rate is always a

highlight of the formal assembly at the end of each

week. Again, a number of classes were over the 90%

mark. Well done to Room 17 in Te Whanau O Wairere for

claiming the top spot last week, and the first class to take the

top spot two weeks in a row! Well done to Room 24 in Te

Whanau O Tai Koraha as well, for the biggest percentage

improvement on last week's attendance. Well done to all

classes for continuing to value regular attendance and take the

opportunities available as a result.

Mike Webster

Principal