2018 HNHS School Magazine HNHS Magazine 2018 | Page 3
PRINCIPAL’S
FOREWORD
I want to start this introduction by saying a big thank you
to Mr Matt Beamish and his team who have overseen
the yearbook project. Such a production is only possible
through the efforts of a number of people, and in addition
to Mr Beamish, may I acknowledge those people who have
written articles, contributed photographs and artwork, and
been involved in the layout and design of the Yearbook.
one of our community does something special, are the
long-lasting memories that you will cherish. Outside of the
classroom, students have had their schooling experiences
enriched through the multitude of extra-curricular activities
available to them, and there would be few schools that offer
such an extensive array of opportunities in this space. From
music and drama, to sport, to Duke of Edinburgh, there is
something for everyone and the memories that come from
such involvement tend to be lasting memories.
The energy and the essence of opportunity within our school
are laid out over the pages of this magazine and it is therefore
a pleasure to write the introduction to the 2018 Yearbook.
Travel has been a key theme this year with groups of students
flying off to Japan and Switzerland for varying periods of
time. On top of this, two trips on the Spirit of New Zealand,
leadership trips to Wellington and the numerous field trips
that students have experienced during the year, highlight the
energy and essence of opportunity that have been available
to Havelock North High School students in 2018.
I was reminded of how students value this collection of
notes and articles when I visited Germany earlier this year
and an ex-student, Nicholas Gallos, was so grateful to get a
hardcopy of it. It is a momento which provides reminiscences
and will certainly initiate story starters in years to come.
While there have been many highlights in 2018, our year
began sadly with the sudden death of social sciences teacher,
Diane Gourley in January. Diane’s funeral was attended by
a large number of staff, Board members and students. I had
known Diane’s family for many years as her father was my
Principal when I was at high school, and to have her life cut
short at such a young age was a travesty.
To everyone who has contributed to another superb year in
our school’s history I would like to extend a big thank you to
you. Be it as a teacher, a student, a Board member, a parent
or a friend of the school, the success of the year does not
happen without a team effort.
To those students who are concluding their education at
Havelock North High School in 2018, I hope that you have
enjoyed your experience at our school and have made the
most of the many opportunities that have been available
to you. This document captures a record of some of those
experiences, archival information about your peers and
your teachers, and memories which we hope in the main are
positive. For everyone else it is another step in your progress
through your secondary education. Enjoy the read.
This year again, several long serving staff will retire or
head into retirement. Mrs Bethne Hocquard and Mrs Hilda
Overeem in their own way have made major contributions
to the culture of our school and it is fitting that they are also
acknowledged in this publication.
While the learning that occurs in the classroom must always
be front and centre of what happens in a school, the long
lasting memories in most cases, come about from the many
other experiences students have. The friends you make,
the occasions you share together as a member of a house
activity and the collective pride that comes about when
G J Fenton
PRINCIPAL
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