By Dave Thorp - Rector | Posted: Sunday March 13, 2022
Tēnā koutou
Sadly, we farewelled Cody Thomas last Monday at his tangi held at Te Aitarakihi Marae. Cody was a bright, friendly and much-loved young man. Our thoughts go out to his whānau and friends.
It is strange to think that we are already halfway through Term 1. We are facing another Covid-19 plagued year, but we are resilient and ready for whatever the year brings us. We have had about 15 positive cases, but the vast majority of these were generated off-site. Very few, if any, Covid-19 infections have happened at school. Students are observing all the health and safety measures and staying home when ill. Quality teaching and learning is taking place.
At some stage, if we are struggling to staff the classes due to too many teachers isolating, we will start rostering home 2 year groups each day. However, that won’t happen for some time, perhaps weeks. In the meantime, please send your son to school if he is well. We want things to remain as normal as possible for as long as possible.
When boys are at school they do more than school work; they learn how to be part of a community. On Wednesday, we held a Prefects/Staff cricket match. It was wonderful with some massive sixes, fantastic run-outs and quality fielding. There was a big crowd and everyone had lots of laughs. We can’t have big assemblies, but we are holding year group meetings with all students socially distanced and masked. It gives us the opportunity to communicate our values to the boys and to celebrate success. Also, at school boys can be with their peers, make lifelong mates and have fun.
Our summer sports are well into the money end of their seasons, and the winter codes are starting to practice and sort teams for the upcoming campaigns. We were very happy when we got the news that, from March 15, all students can engage in all school sporting competitions - no-one is going to miss out!
We have postponed our production until later in the year when Covid-19 is hopefully waning - it’s hard to rehearse when you are not allowed to sing indoors. All of our other Arts activities continue. All the best to our lads in the upcoming Drama League production, ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’.
Welcome to Sam Nelson, our new Director of Boarding in Thomas House. We know he’s going to do a fantastic job. Our other new staff members are Kacy Ledgerwood, who is teaching Physics and Science, Georgia Douglass, in DVC and Technology, Alex Batista in Digital Technology, Paula McMeeking in Careers, Kelly Hamer in Administration, and Jared Moran in Property.
Let’s hope that Omicron skips quickly and lightly through South Canterbury and we can all get on with our lives. If you are isolating, I hope you are comfortable.
