Kia Ora and welcome to Term 2!

The last week of the holidays was certainly a busy one. On the Wednesday we had both assemblys and the Sod Turning which marked the beginning of our new school as you may have seen on the field

So, what has happened over the break?

Three year 12 students, Lily Burgess, Hazel Henderson and Bryn Smit went to the Area Schools Leadership camp near Akaroa in the first week of the holidays. This was an excellent opportunity for them to work with other students that they didn’t know and participate in activities that pushed them outside of their comfort zones. They had lots of fun meeting new people and building friendships that they wouldn’t otherwise have gotten. Leadership Camp is an important stepping stone for them as it teaches new values and teaches them how to work in a team and with different types of people and personalities.

Sadie Mason was selected for a U19 Rowing Trial in the first week of the holidays. This trial involved a week of intense activities. Despite the demanding schedule, Sadie found the experience to be very fun and enjoyable, as she was able to challenge herself, meet other talented rowers from around the country, and learn from top-level coaches. Her hard work and determination paid off when she was selected for the women’s coxless quad crew. Sadie will now go on to represent New Zealand at the World Rowing Championships in Lithuania later this year. This is an incredible achievement, and we are all very proud of her dedication, perseverance, and success.

Twizel Area School was proud to be part of the Twizel ANZAC Day service this year. A few members of the student executive attended the ceremony, laying a wreath on behalf of the school to honour those who served. One student shared that participating in the service made them feel more connected to their community and grateful for the freedom and opportunities they have today. It was a meaningful experience that helped many students better understand the significance of ANZAC Day.

What the next few weeks are looking like:

On Monday, the 5th, a group of Twizel Area School students will travel to Dunedin to attend the Otago Tertiary Open Day. This event gives students the opportunity to explore different universities and polytechnics, attend information sessions, and get a feel for student life in Dunedin. It’s a great chance for them to start planning their future study and career pathways, and to ask questions directly to staff and students from a range of courses and institutions.

On Wednesday, the 14th, 30 students from Twizel Area School will travel to The Catlins Area School to represent our school at the Southern Area Schools Tournament. This event brings together students from across the region to compete in a variety of sports and activities. It’s a great opportunity for our students to show their skills, work as a team, and connect with others from different schools. We wish all our competitors the best of luck.

Enjoy the rest of the term and make the most of it!

Ngā Mihi,
Mackenzie Dunnicliff
Deputy Head Student