Principal's Message

Having begun at Trinity just a few months before the pandemic took over, this year has felt like we are ‘back on the horse’ and moving positively forward. The students themselves bring a real energy with them every day, but this year that energy has also been contributed by staff, parents, and friends of the college, at events and in general interactions on sports sidelines and at our arts events. Working together constructively and moving in the same direction as a team with a clear vision – to provide ‘excellence in learning and teaching in a climate of faith and pastoral care’ – strengthens a community and I have felt that this year. Thank you all – staff, students, parents and whānau, volunteers, clergy, our Catholic primary schools - for your contribution to this! It is genuinely appreciated.

We will be farewelling some special people at the end of this year:

Mrs Liz Cameron has been our guidance cousellor since 2016. When I say ‘our’ I mean that in the widest sense! During this time, Liz has counselled, listened to and supported students, ex-students, parents, and many staff who also found their way to her office with her comfortable couch! Liz has been very involved in basketball over many years and I am sure one of her greatest basketball joys would have been winning the national tournament with our senior girls’ team in 2019. Liz has worked within the SLT for the last couple of years, and I have really enjoyed her company, and the decision making and insights that she has brought to our team. Thank you for all your work and we wish you all the best for a new pace of life and time to spend with special grandchildren and your husband, Ewen.

Sue Roberts-Blyth has been a much loved geography teacher and mentor to many since she began with us in 2018. Sue is excited to be returning to the tertiary environment as she begins her PhD in biodiversity and regeneration. Sue has had responsibility for mentoring and supporting our beginning teachers as they work on their registration requirements, and she has shared her excellent classroom practice with others to enhance their students’ learning experience. Thank you, Sue, you will be missed in our staffroom and we wish you all the best as you return to study.

Whaea Maya Tate-Manning has worked part-time in our Te Reo department since 2020. Maya has extensive knowledge of te reo and tikanga that she has shared with all of us as we continue on our cultural journey as a staff. Although part-time, Maya has given endless hours to Kapa Haka, Ngā Manu Kōrero, and support to our whānau group which has resulted in the Board’s first co-opted Māori representative. Maya has had two schools in her life this year, working at both Trinity and Kings High School, as well as remote teaching Te Reo to NCEA students throughout the country. She will be able to consolidate her work hours next year in accepting more hours at Kings High School for 2024.

Thank you to all of these staff as they move on from Trinity – they will be missed.

Next year beckons, and we are grateful to be fully staffed with a timetable that is quickly taking shape. We will welcome Phillip de Vos to the science department where he will teacher Physics and Science. Phillip joins us from Sacred Heart College in Auckland.

Ross Mackinnon will assume the mantle of Head of Guidance next year and he will be joined by Mary Milne in a part-time capacity. Mary joins us from her counselling role at Columba College and also brings a wealth of social work experience.

We have added two new year 7-9 homeroom teachers to our Te Tīmataka staff. Storm Ma’ole and Kyra McEntyre will be looking after a year 7 and year 8 class respectively, next year, as well as Emmeline Kendrick working full time in this area for next year. Jacquie Tonks, our Learning Support Coordinator, has a year’s leave in 2024 and Vicky Jones will take over her role for the year, returning to her year 8 position in 2025.

Richard McNaught has been awarded a term’s study leave next year in term one. Richard is excited to spend some time refreshing curriculum knowledge and visiting other schools. His technology classes will be taught by Andrew Tait who comes to us from Tahuna Intermediate.

Mike Waterworth, who joined Trinity this year as part-time Director of International Students, will join the Senior Leadership Team full time next year as an Assistant Principal. Mike will continue with his international duties and will also look after the year 10 &11 area of the college.

Our new staff will introduce themselves to you via our newsletters in February. I encourage you to read the wrap up of our Term Four events in the latest pubication of Trinitas; it is another great record of Trinity life in 2023.

Enjoy a blessed Christmas, and a safe and fun-filled holiday time with all those who are special to you.