- Welcome to the first week of the first school month of 2016. Our school roll has increased to 168 and that makes us feel good because it reflects the commitment the community has to, and the faith it has in, Nukutere College.
- We have lost about 15-20 students to Tereora or overseas (and still our roll has increased!). If you are connected to any family who has removed a student from Nukutere College could you please ask them to notify us and formalise the withdraw as we simply do not know where some of our students are or should be.
- We are fully staffed with one relieving teacher teaching maths until such time as we can make a favourable appointment.
- We had a turou for all our new students, families and new staff last Monday, Feb 1 morning it was a joy to welcome all the newcomers in to Nukutere college community. Monday was a day of introduction and familiarisation. On Feb 4 we were in to class room and the academic timetable. Thanks to preparatory work by staff during the two weeks prior, we were able to start the year confidently.
School calendar request
Because of the change in the school calendar for 2016, we will be requesting a change from the Ministry of education .To give us more time with our level 1 NCEA students, we are requesting only ONE week’s holiday at the end of term 3 and finishing school for the year ONE week earlier on the 8th December. We will confirm this as soon as we have a response from the Ministry of Education.
The college held its opening mass and investiture of 2016 prefects last Friday. Congratulations to Winton Herman (head boy), Teraimateata Teataiariki (head girl), Terina Aberahama (deputy head girl), Joshua Caffery (deputy head boy), Jaedon Bates, Are Ingaua, Ryan Nicholson, Teokotai Tupuna, Dora Iripa, Joesie Pare, Emilienne Pauka and Emily Tangi-jim.
Staffing Annoucement
It is with real sadness that I accepted the resignation of Sister Lusianna Matai. Sister Lusianna has been director of religious studies for the last 10 years at Nukutere College. What she has brought to our school and the legacy she leaves us is immense. Everyone she has touched will recognise this. Sister moves out of Nukutere College but will still serve the Sisters of St Josephs of Cluny in the Cook Islands community. Sister will also mentor Mr Iokimi Narovu who replaces her.
New appointments:
Mrs Joyce Kirkham- HOD English
Mr J.C. Rey Cajita- HOD Dig. Tech.
Mrs Gina Dixon- HOD Art and Junior Curriculum
Mr Iokimi Narovu- Director Religious Studies.
Academic Rigour
During teacher only week (last week) discussion was held about maintaining an academic Rigour within the school. I spoke about this at the closing ceremonies last year and wrote about it in the 2015 magazines. The staff discussed positive strategies to address this concern. The most important factor is that the development of your student relies on 1) the school (teachers), 2) parents and 3) students who must take responsibility for their learning. We must all work together and each of us must make a contribution.