Kia ora everyone and welcome to the new school year! My name is Finn McKinley, and I am one of the head students for 2024. 

I hope everyone had wonderful school holidays and is feeling well rested ready for another productive year or academic comeback. We kicked off 2024 with Leadership day for the seniors run by the student executive team, followed by Peer Support Day for the middle and senior school students, where the seniors planned all the activities the middle schoolers had to compete in for house points.

Last week we had the first school day for everyone, then Waitangi day, and back into a Mihi Whakatau for all the students and staff that have joined our school since the last one in 2023. School on Wednesday was unfortunately cut short due to unexpected water issues, but this was fixed for school on Thursday. We also had swimming sports on Friday, and it was awesome to see so many people trying their best, participating in as many events as they could and showing incredible team spirit. It was especially great for Ruataniwha to come out on top but by 5 points, it truly came down to the wire!

This week some of our amazing rowers are away at Lake Karāpiro for the New Zealand Rowing Championships, where already they have gotten some amazing results!

That’s all from me, 

Hei konā mai.
Finn McKinley,
Head Student