Principal News

On behalf of everyone at Tahuna Normal Intermediate School, we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Below is a copy of my speech from prizegiving yesterday.

Success is one of our four school values.  It often comes as the result of showing the other three values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY and CREATIVITY.  Success comes in many different forms, and today, it is about acknowledging individual success where people will be recognised publically.  The students who come up today should be very proud of their efforts as no doubt your parents will be proud of you.

In events like this not everyone’s successes can be celebrated publically.  I want you to think about what success you have had while at Tahuna and to be really proud of that…….

But the end of the year is a time to reflect and to celebrate the year we have had. You are never to old for a story to be read to you so this year I thought I would read you a story from my favourite author Dr Seuss, "Oh The Places You Will Go", but in Tahuna style.

Oh, the places you've been, Tahuna, this year!

A whirlwind of wonders, a jamboree of cheer!

From January's start, with new faces so bright,

Two hundred and seventy Year Sevens, a magnificent sight!

Then Year Eights arrived, all eager to learn

The year twenty-twenty-four, a new page to turn!

Week three brought a rush, like a Seussical storm,

House sports and camps, keeping spirits so warm!

Waiora Scout Camp, a new place with much more,

Year Sevens adventuring, wanting to explore!

March bloomed with success, like a flower so grand,

The Lit Quiz team triumphed, throughout the land!

To Wellington they journeyed, with knowledge ablaze,

Representing Otago, in a literary daze!

Waterpolo splashes, and touch rugby's dashes,

Futsal and volleyball, were spirited clashes!

House sports ignited, with cheers filling the air,

Dancers rehearsing, with pizazz and with flair!

Rippa rugby roared, with girls strong and bold,

Fern Fever excitement, a story to be told!

E Pro 8 champions, in April's delight,

Orienteering triumphs, navigating just right!

Eli, the table tennis ace, with a paddle so swift,

Year Eights off to Camp Columba, a memorable gift!

Term two began with a BANG, and a BOOM,

Science displays sparking, dispelling the gloom!

Winter sports whirled, with netball's fast pace,

Hockey and basketball, a competitive race!

Oamaru Intermediate, a challenge so grand,

Tahuna's spirit shining, throughout the land!

School Council convened, with voices so clear,

Youth conferences buzzing, with ideas held dear!

Pink Shirt Day kindness, a cause to embrace,

 Arts evening magic, with smiles on each face!

Olympics in July, and August's grand show,

Riley and Lucy's artwork, a radiant glow!

Year Eights scaling rock walls, reaching for the sky,

Basketball victories, soaring so high!

Aurora Science Fair, with projects galore,

Rhys and Connor's cross country, a winning score!

Sadie's aerobics talent, a world-class display,

The Eightballs rocking, winning Bandquest that day!

Classics champions emerged, with Latin in tow,

September's Polyfest, a cultural flow!

Athletics day sprints, and cheers filled the sound,

Rakiura's adventure, where kiwis abound!

Tahuna shone brightly, at Queenstown's grand stage,

Aerobics and sportsmanship, turning a new page!

The Eightballs rocked on, at nationals so grand,

Alex's voice soared, best vocalist in the land!

Diving champs drama, with Lucy's gold gleam,

Tahuna's team spirit, a victorious dream!

October unveiled Toroa, with wings spread so wide,

Ukulele jams echoed, was joyful inside!

Year Sevens designing, arcades of delight,

Year Eights with finances, planning just right!

Tumataueka's spellers, with words sharp and keen,

Preston's gymnastics triumph, a sight to be seen!

Citizen scientists, Zac and Ed, so bright,

Shared their knowledge of Tomahawk, shining their light!

RoboCup team journeyed, with gears all a-spin,

Selected for Worlds, a victory within!

Ben's ICAS success, in science and math,

 Sam's spelling distinction, following the right path!

November's touch triumphs, and futsal's fast feat,

India's speed dazzled, a record to beat!

Maatauranga Maori, with skills new and old,

Room thirteen's Ki o Rahi, a story to be told!

Room eleven's haka, with power and grace,

December's celebrations, a smile on each face!

Performing arts evenings, with talents so bright,

Transition visits, preparing for flight!

And now, dear Tahuna, as the year reaches its end,

Reflect on the memories, cherish each friend!

For in this Seussical journey, of learning and fun,

You've grown and you've laughed, every single one!

So raise a glass high, to this year's grand spree,

Tahuna, oh Tahuna, how proud we are of thee!

  

End of year celebrations are always tinged with sadness as we lose half our school.  Teachers and support staff move onto better things. 

Shannon Brawley who has been on maternity leave will continue to focus on her family and not be returning next year. 

Willie Time has finished his studies in Dunedin and will be returning to Auckland next year.

Vicki Coburn has worn many hats in the time she has been at Tahuna, has taken up a new position at Balaclava school.

David Dwyer has taken up an exciting opportunity at Taieri College next year and likewise we wish him well. 

Jacqui Burrows has been the Tahuna librarian for over 20 years and we will be recognising her retirement at our final school assembly tomorrow.

Cam Angus is continuing his leadership journey and has taken the team leader position at Outram School.

Craig Sneddon has a years leave and we look forward to him returning in 2026.

To the year 8’s who are leaving….

I love Tahuna for the fact that they provide so many opportunities for students to try new things, but more importantly these opportunities allow them to grow as a person.  To find out what you like and, perhaps more importantly, don’t like and start to develop a wide range of social and academic skills. 

As much as the vast majority of you have enjoyed your time at Intermediate if you take that same positive attitude to high school you will grow even more.  If you keep our school values as your North Star or guiding light you will do extremely well.

One again to quote Dr Seuss…

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

 You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own, and you know what you know.

And you are the guy who'll decide where to go

To the Year 7s  

I want you to think about what our school will be like next year.  Intermediates are the only schools which lose half of their students every year and therefore we lose half of our culture every year.  It will be you who sets the tone next year.  How we look after each other, how we talk to each other, how we look after the school and its resources will be set by the 270 students that we have in Year 7 sitting here today.  If things weren’t great for you this year, here is our chance to fix it.  If you have a great year let’s build on it and make it even better.  Because if you make it better for yourself you will make it even better for the 240 Year 7s joining is next year.

I would like to thank our Board of Trustee members who do a huge amount of work behind the scene including Mari-Anne Coughlin, Sarah Simmers, Gus Gerry, Sina Walker, Steve Carr, led by Peter Renton.

And of course the staff a huge thank you. An excellent example of their commitment to your child was the recent performing arts showcase. Every member of the team, from our office staff and caretaker to the learning assistants and management team, all contributed to helping get the best out of the students. I am extremely proud of you all and would like to thank you publically for all that you do.

Finally, I would like to finish by saying that on behalf of all of the staff at Tahuna Normal Intermediate School we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Ngā mihi nui

Simon Clarke