T1 Week 8 – 24 March 2023 Principal Comment

Mar 27, 2023

Tēnā koutou katoa ngā whānau, 

With great excitement I announce that the construction of Te Wharemaru O Garin gets underway again this week following a delay in materials supply slowing the project down by 4 weeks. Mudgway Construction who are delivering this project advise that once the steel frames are on site and secured in place, the project construction will accelerate toward completion. At this stage we anticipate Te Wharemaru will be commissioned and available as our multi purpose gathering space and shelter in May. We look forward to our learners meeting and gathering in this space and enjoying this wonderful resource. As we near construction completion, our focus will begin on consulting, planning and resourcing for native plantings to enhance the landscape setting surrounding Te Wharemaru. On behalf of the Garin College Board, I wish to acknowledge and thank all parents and caregivers for your generous donations to the Garin College Education Trust for the purpose of funding minor capital improvements here at the College. The Garin Board has approved $27,764 of donations to contribute to the manufacture and installation of the House panels and the facade. I look forward to keeping you informed of progress over the coming weeks. 

Parent Teacher interviews for year 9 and 10 learners are being held this week Monday 27 and 28 March. I thank the many parents and learners who have booked to attend interviews and our teachers for their professionalism in providing quality feedback to parents on student learning, engagement and achievement. The support offered at home for our learners is crucial to their success. The partnership of learner, school and parents has to be one of the greatest contributors to learner success and ongoing support. How our learners develop their lifelong learner pathway is encouraged by this process. Thank you for your participation and to the staff for the preparation they put into this.

I can confirm that the Board has received PPTA notice of strike action – the strike action will take place this, Wednesday 29 March 2023. Parents and caregivers will receive an email from the Board confirming the College will officially be closed for instruction on this day. We can still supervise a small number of students if required. If you require supervision for your students, please contact the school office, phone 03 5439488 or email achieve@garincollege.ac.nz.

With Summer Tournament this week, we have teams representing Garin, the Girls A Volleyball team in the NZ Secondary school Champs in Palmerston North and our Yachting Team representing Garin at the Top of the South Sailing Championship. We wish all teams a successful tournament and look forward to hearing the results.

As autumn begins to nestle in, we are reminded to ensure all students are preparing for their winter uniform. From the start of term two to the end of term three, winter uniform is to be worn by all students. Students are required to maintain a high standard in the wearing of their uniform. Staff will support and encourage students to achieve this. If, for any reason your student is unable to wear their correct uniform, we ask that you provide a note or email message to their whānau teacher. A uniform pass will be issued to a student by the whānau teacher enabling reasonable time to support the student and whānau to access the uniform item. 

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki,

Ngā mihi nui

John Maguire

Take a Moment – “We praise you in this Easter season. Change our lives, change our hearts to be messengers of Easter joy and hope”. 

Fr Larry Snyder, “An Easter Prayer”

 

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