Latest Newsletter

Latest Newsletter
The latest newsletter went home with students on Monday afternoon. The full newsletter is on the school website.
http://www.stratfordhigh.school.nz/


Greetings to you and your family.
THANK YOU!
         As this is our last newsletter of the year, the school would like to extend sincere thanks to all parents, community supporters and sponsors who have given so much to our school and our students over the year. Your support has made it possible for our students to achieve highly in academic, sporting and cultural dimensions of the school. Thank you very much.
         Over the last two weeks we have celebrated with our seniors as we acknowledged their academic, sporting and cultural successes at the senior prizegiving. The ceremony showcased the real heart of our school with the community coming together to recognise the success of our senior students this year.
         One could not help but be impressed by the breadth of talent on display—students succeeding in all dimensions that make SHS so special. We congratulate the prizewinners and those who supported them on the day. The day was also made special by the contributions of our Kapa Haka group, school choir and our guest speaker, Sarah Mako, whose speech was very timely for those leaving us.
         Junior prizegiving will be held at 11.30 am on Friday 3rd December. I extend an invitation to all parents, family and friends to join us for this occasion. I would like to remind students and parents / caregivers that school does not finish until Thursday 9th December, which is at the conclusion of our activities days. Normal school expectations re absences are expected.
        In 2011 we will be modifying our absence system so that when a student is absent from school we will send a text message to the parent or caregiver. At the beginning of 2011 we will be asking for all details to be updated or checked by parents and caregivers.
        At the senior prizegiving I made mention of the schools Charter and Strategic Plan needing updating. This will mean the school community will have an opportunity to have input into the schools direction over the next 3 to 5 years.
         Finally my thanks to the staff and BoT at SHS for their hard work this year. It is a joy to lead such a willing, highly skilled and dedicated group of people. Best wishes for a safe, relaxing and happy Christmas and I look forward to 2011.
Philip Keenan, Principal

November updates

Senior Prizegiving
A reminder to all parents and caregivers that the senior prizegiving will commence at 1.00 pm in the Assembly Hall. We ask that parents are seated prior to this so a start can be made promptly. Senior students will have study leave on Friday in preparation for national exams starting on Monday 15th November.

Book return day will be Friday December 10th. All seniors will need to return any school materials, uniform for sale, etc on this day in the school library.

Junior students are advised that there will be no classes for them on Thursday 11th November. Junior Prizegiving will be held on Friday 3rd December with activities week for juniors from Monday 6th to Thursday 9th December.

ICAS Maths results
Students were presented with certificates for Proficiency, Credit and Distinction at this weeks assembly for their performance in the ICAS Mathematics competition. Distinction was gained by Jason Hamlin (Y) and Anjela Frost and Kathleen Robertson (Y10). A full list will be in the next newsletter.

Farewell to librarian
It is with sadness that we farewell Mrs Marie MacGregor who has ably worked in the library for the last two years. Her successor is Mrs Riejanne Campbell. Mrs Campbell has been operating the school canteen this year and is well known to the students. The canteen will still be operated by Mrs Campbell and her family.

P H Keenan
Principal