A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome back to a new school year! It was lovely to meet so many of our new whanau and reconnect with the familiar at the start of year BBQ. Thank you so much to everyone for coming and making it such a lovely night. I’m super excited that we are able to hold an ‘old’ style swimming sports for the first time since the earthquake! The whole school will be at the pool on Tuesday. We are limited to a certain number inside the pool complex but still feel free to swing by and see if we have space to support! It will be great to get the House spirit going and to have a mix of the competitive swimmers and some more entertaining events.

Phones – It has been great to see students understanding (although maybe not liking!) the new regulations around student phones and thanks to parents for making this clear to their tamariki. It definitely helps make our role easier!

Exam results – congratulations to all our students who sat exams at the end of last year. There are some excellent results and although there will be others who are disappointed in how they went, there is much to be said for them having the courage to sit the exams. One reason for the compulsory exams in the new NCEA system is that so many students and schools opted out of exam in the past.

Lots on in Term 1 as always and if possible, I do encourage you to pop along on athletics day to be part of the atmosphere!

WHAT’S COMING UP?

FRIENDLY REMINDERS

• Students are not allowed phones at school. The office has a secure place to lock them for the day
• Energy drinks are not permitted in school, please remind students that they will be taken from them

NEW STAFF 2024

SHAWN GOUGH
Deputy Principal/Kaiako

Tēnā koutou e te whānau
I whānau mai au ki Ōtautahi I tipu ake au i Aranui
Nō Waikirikiri ahau
Ekari kai Kaikōura tōhoku kāika Ko Shawn tōhoku ikoa
Ko Gough tōhoku ikoa whānau He kaiako au
He kaitiriwā tumuaki hou ki te kura nei

Kia ora tātou
My name is Shawn Gough and I am the new Deputy Principal [DP] at Kaikōura.
My main area of focus as DP is pastoral.
I believe that every student that enters our kura wants to learn but brings with them doubt about their ability, some insecurities and are navigating themselves through an ever-changing social media world and adolescence.
My goal is to make sure our pastoral process helps support ōu mātou ākonga [our students] to feel secure, safe and strive for success while here.
It is my hope that through our learning areas and teaching we inspire, create a spark of curiosity in some aspect of their learning that leads to either employment or further study.
Kaikōura has more significance to me, especially with whānau being with me and my partner’s family being here too. I am looking forward to the opportunity to live and work in this community and make the most out of the spectacular outdoor activities this area provides.
This whakatauki is one I use often. It sums up my attitude to my own learning and how I hope our students approach their learning too.
Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama.
Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened.

Nō reira
Nāia tāhaku mihi atu ki a koutou

ALEX LARKIN
Kaiako

Kia ora koutou!
My name is Alex Larkin and I am incredibly excited to be teaching science at Kaikōura High School this year! I was a member of the first class of students to attend New York University Abu Dhabi and graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. I then continued on Western Washington University for a master’s degree in teaching. Six years ago, my wife, Emily, and I came to New Zealand for our honeymoon and have wanted to return ever since. Now, we have finally made the leap, along with our sons Rohan (4) and Bailey (1), and can’t have found a better spot to land. You might have seen us exploring town on our bikes so definitely feel free to stop us and say hello when you do.

Kia pai tō rā whakatā!
Mr. Larkin

JAYNE MALLINDER
Kaiako

Nau Mai, Haere Mai! Embracing New Beginnings in our Kura.
Tēnā koutou katoa – Greetings to all our wonderful students, whānau, and staff. I am absolutely delighted to rejoin the
Kaikōura  High  whānau,  again  as  your  Kaiwhakamahereora  (Counsellor)  and  Kaiako (Teacher).
Ko Jayne Mallinder tōku ingoa. I am excited to be a part of this community and bringing my own whanau to this Kura. Having previously been a student, Kaitohutohu Kura and Kaiako in Kaikōura it felt time to come home, to be around my much loved whanau and friends. Showing my children how precious it is growing up in this environment.
I look forward to working alongside you all to nurture the holistic development of our tamariki.
As Kaiwhakamahereora , my mahi (work) is focused on tautoko (supporting) our students in their huarahi ako (learning journey) and providing aroha (care) for their overall well- being. My office is a safe space for anyone seeking guidance or awhi (support), and I am dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among our students.
Ko te whakapakari i te hinengaro, te tinana, me te wairua – Cultivating the mind, body, and spirit is at the heart of my role as counsellor . Together with our kaiako , I believe we aim to create an environment that celebrates the unique strengths of each tamaiti and encourages them to reach their full potential.
On the not so professional side of me, we were asked to include our interests or interesting. Of course time with whanau, friends and fur babies, shopping, listening to music, Karaoke (although apparently not very good), Laughing, Innailating at everyone at board games, fun fact I turn annoying noises into a tune.
I am both excited and humbled to be returning home. I am eager to collaborate with whānau, kaiako, and ākonga alike. If you have any pātai (questions), concerns, or simply want to connect, please feel free to reach out.

Nō reira, e te whānau.

KATHERINE RUIZ MORALES
Kaiako

I am originally from Chile but I have been living in NZ for the last 12 years, of which 8 have been in Kaikoura.
I love teaching Visual Arts but I also have a passion for teaching languages, especially Spanish.
I have two young children, Moana and Manawa, both attending Kaikoura Primary School. I enjoy working with my husband who is also a teacher at KHS.
I love singing, playing the guitar, crocheting and giving a try to all types of craft projects.

WHO TO CONTACT

OFFICE: (Sandra and Carys) – daily attendance if student will be absent, general school questions, uniform
FORM TEACHERS: longer absence from school, general pastoral or academic questions, general progress and well-being at school
DEANS: serious pastoral issues or if referred on by form teacher, major academic changes or concerns

ACADEMIC REVIEW DAY CHANGES

In past years we have had our academic review day (the chance to come and talk about your child’s progress in Term 2), this year we are making some changes and want to move to Term 1 with a goal-setting focus and then a follow-up in Term 3. More information to come as details are sorted.

ROGAINE TRAINING

Navigation Session 7:30 pm Friday 1st March 1 and Mini Rogaine 8:30 am Saturday 2nd March Navigation session at Kaikoura High School with Tane Cambridge and Tim Farrant. To teach beginners the basics: how to read the map, use the compass, navigate and be open to answer any questions.
Mini Rogaine Saturday 2nd March Mt Fyffe Farm McInnes Road 1.5 hr & 3 hr Register: 8:30 am onwards  Start at 9:30 am.
Costs:
Students U18yrs free    
Adults $20 (includes Nav session & Rogaine)
Gear required: Maps provided bring compass (per team) good sturdy walking shoes, backpack with drink, snacks & warm layer & rain jacket, cell phone (one per team).

PREFECT AND HEAD STUDENTS

Our awesome Prefect and Head Student team have been hard at work already this year!

Prefects are: Devon Hole, Te Po Manawatu, Jackson Godsiff, Lachlan Fissenden, Amelia Milne, Sylvie Reid, Genevieve Lintott, Matthias Joyce, Freja Lister, Grace Pettit, Rose Davis, Grace Lamb, Ashley Novis and Sophia Flavell.