There is a regular rhythm to the school year. It begins in February with the
excitement of starting fresh activities with new students and teachers, and
closes early December with the chance to celebrate the successes that have been
achieved during the preceding twelve months. Obviously for senior students
there is also the date with destiny that occurs, when they must bring all that they
have learnt during the year to the exam room or submit portfolios of assessment
work.
The past year is no different and between February and December the school
has againbeen engaged in a wealth of events, activities and learning experiences
which have served to shape the ongoing growth of all stakeholders in our
community.
Our annual year book provides a record of the events of the year, events which in
many cases would not have occurred without the collaboration of our
community.
Just last week I, along with a group of students and parents, spent a couple of
hours on a Sunday morning painting the swimming pool fence. The community
nature of this event highlights the essence of our school and is seen in the
multitude of activities that take place as a result of collaboration between
students, staff, parents and friends of our school. Such a spirit mirrors the type
of community we live in; one where caring and sharing are integral to the
success of what happens here.
Collaboration to me has been an over-riding theme for 2015. It was a value
evident in the re-development of the 100 Block early in the year, it was a
dominant theme in the establishment of football and rugby clubs, it was evident
in the Anzac celebration in the Domain and was essential to the success of
Beauty and the Beast and the Arts Festival in August.
It was also very evident in the organisation around the staff 40th Jubilee reunion in January. I have appreciated the privilege to be part of this energy and
excitement and thank everyone who has contributed to what has been a special
year.
The events I have highlighted and many other events are chronicled in this annual document which again this year is a
credit to Ms Leah White and her team. To Ms White in particular I offer a generous dose of thanks for taking on this project
for the last three years. Her efforts in gathering together the articles, the photographs and artwork, has been over and above
the many other roles she has in the school, and we should be very grateful to her for this. Sadly Ms White will leave us at the
end of the year, and I wish her and her fiancé every success in their new ventures in Auckland.
The yearbook also brings the curtain down on the careers of several long standing HNHS teachers. Elsewhere in this newsletter there are tributes to these staff members. I would like on behalf of our school community, to acknowledge the tremendous part that they have played in shaping our school culture during their respective times at Havelock North High School.
Mrs Rimmer, Mr Parry, Mrs Gray, Mrs Orton and Mr Perera leave after a combined total of over 150 years at HNHS. All
have served the school in a wide variety of capacities. I hope that their retirement will enable them to have the extra time to
pursue their many interests away from school, and to spend more time with family.
This school is about opportunity and I trust that all our students have found a way to maximize their experiences and
attainments during the year. It is a school where it is “cool to succeed” and the articles in this publication showcase some of
the many successes that our students have had. Well done to everyone on a memorable 2015.
G J Fenton
PRINCIPAL
PRINCIPAL