Kia orāna from the Principal

Kia orāna, and happy Cook Islands Māori Language Week.

I feel I could fill my Principal’s message today with congratulations and student successes! However, I will leave it for you to read about all of these in the rest of the newsletter. With the Olympic Games front and centre of TV viewing and the media cycles at present, along with upcoming semifinals and finals for college sport, ongoing music competitions including BandQuest in a few weekends, and the Bishop’s Shield Public Speaking Competition in Invercargill this weekend, I have talked recently at assemblies about talents. A lovely quote I used was

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is

your gift back to God”.

Self confidence is a big part of using our talents to the fullest, and so is commitment. Of course, at this age, young people also need the adults in their lives to be supporting, encouraging, transporting and resourcing their children to fulfil their potential. I realise this is not always possible for families and I hope that you see Trinity as a supporting partner in this.

The gift of hospitality is also a talent, with the confidence and self-assurance to speak with adults and show manaakitaka. Our guides, helpers, speakers and performers on Sunday at our Open Day did just that. As senior staff, we trust that the student volunteer helpers on the day will be positive and hospitable, be respectful, and show themselves to be true Trinity students with great values – and every year they consistently do this! Thank you very much to those who helped out on Sunday afternoon. We were thrilled that we had the biggest crowd of visitors in the time I have been here. The warm vibe gave a true Trinity whānau feel. Thank you to parents who supported us in this successful day.

Term Three is a very important term to cement the learning foundations for the year. Regular attendance is obviously extremely important, but so is commitment and preparation, and these elements are life-long skills. Some whānau might feel it is timely to have a talk at home about these things. Secondary school years go by very quickly and using one’s talents and setting up for a life of choice, pathways and financial independence starts at school.

Commitment and talent is very evident in this year’s junior basketball teams, and role modeled by committed staff. I wish them well as our boys’ Year 7&8 teams head into the finals as favourites on Monday afternoon. The commitment of our junior boys and girls at the Basketball Academy practices is a great sign of future success – thank you for supporting our Academy in this way.

Have a successful week!

Ngā manaakitaka

Mrs Kate Nicholson