In the past, I have often alluded to the honesty and reliability of the students in our school community and the following experience clearly relates this. Tokoroa High School student, Kyrone Toko, recently featured on TV3 news for his honesty. Whilst on holiday in Auckland, Kyrone handed in a wallet containing $2,500 dollars to the Papakura Police Station. This action reflects indescribable quality of character and an excellent illustration of the behaviour of a genuine role model. Well done Kyrone. We can all learn a lot from your deed.

Last Wednesday evening - 17^th February – I was fortunate to be able to attend two Parent consultation meetings held by pastoral groups, Te Rito and Te Manava. Firstly at 6 pm, the Te Rito ‘Hui’ outlined the schools goals and plans to raise student achievement. The teachers of Te Rito were pleased at the responses from parents at the meeting which were helpful and constructive. Following this, at 7 pm, the Te Manava Parents Consultation/EXPO was conducted. There were a number of stalls detailing information on Fees, NCEA, SWPIHC, attendance, uniform, health and safety. The open forum afforded parents and teachers a chance to exchange thoughts and ideas.

The start of the year has seen the implementation of a number of new initiatives, including the Services Academy, the Community Policing Programme and the Rugby League Pathways programme. The Services Academy is an exciting concept introduced into a small number of schools, including Tokoroa High School this year. This project is funded by the Ministry of Social Development, with support from the New Zealand Defence Force. Service Academies are military focused programmes delivered within secondary schools.  Students enrolled in the academy are expected to work towards achieving appropriate NCEA credits from the National Qualifications Framework as well as undertaking military focused courses. The Ministry of Education is responsible for the expansion of Service Academies in 2010 and 2011. 

During this year, we will be working on a positive initiative with the Taupo Area Community Policing Team. This programme involves the Police community staff conducting lunchtime walk-throughs at school. The idea is for the students to be able to interact with Police on a friendly, non-confrontational basis. It gives students the chance to talk to the Police staff, and ask any questions they may have. In other schools where this initiative has been in operation, the experience has been found to be very positive both for the Police and students.

Following the success of Zane Tetevano and Tana Tuau respectively to the Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers NRL squads, the Rugby League Pathways course has been included in the school academic programme this year. The ‘rugby league pathways’ course aims to develop the skills, profiles and marketability of our most talented students for entry into professional level rugby league. It provides all students with increased opportunities to succeed in their chosen vocations by gaining academic qualifications and other life skills. The Rugby League Pathways course has support from the New Zealand Rugby League organisation.

Kapa Haka

Mr Billy Maea, our Teacher of Maaori Studies at Tokoroa High School, will be running the school Kapa Haka group this year. Fellow teachers, Mr Ngapo, Mrs Manu and Mr Hakaria have expressed their interest in supporting this group as they work hard towards their goal of success at the 2011 Tainui Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition. We look forward to a very good year in supporting Mr Maea and his dedicated group of young people. They will certainly enhance the reputation of our school and our community. 

Ministerial Visit

On Tuesday 9 March at 12.15 pm, our school will receive a ministerial visit from our local Member of Parliament, Louise Upston, and Cabinet Minister, the Honourable Georgina Te Heu Heu. This is a great opportunity for us to welcome these dignitaries into Tokoroa High School.

Regards

Willie Ford

Principal