Principal News
On behalf of the whole team at Tahuna Intermediate, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Below is a copy of yesterdays prize giving speech.
Ladies and gentlemen, Our Guest speaker- Jessie McGrouther, Board member Narelle Jakeway, Isia Piho, Heidi Gray-Holland, Krissy Carey, Peter Renton and Board Chair Steve Carr, parents, staff, and of course our incredible students,
Nau mai haere mai to the Tahuna Normal Intermediate 2025 Prize giving.
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 publicly. The students who come up today should be very proud of their efforts, as no doubt your parents will be proud of you.
But in events like this, not everyone’s successes can be celebrated publicly. I want you to think about the success you have had while at Tahuna and be really proud of it…
The end of the year is a time to reflect and to celebrate. Two years ago I used a Taylor Swift themed poem which didn’t go down that well.
Last year a Dr Seuss, oh the places you will go theme, which likewise fell a little flat. But persistence is a key skill and will try again with one my poems.
This years seems to be the year of the number…
As the year draws to a close and the scent of holiday treats fills the air, we don't just count down the days until the break—we count down the incredible moments and milestones we’ve shared this year. As we close tomorrow for 2025 it will be “nearly” 12 days to Christmas and I offer you my own version of a holiday countdown, a Principal’s 12 Days of School!
It was only this morning that I realised that this poem is best sung as a song. So please be prepared for some cruel and unusual punishment of me singing. Feel free to join in and save me!
On the first day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
A most important One, and that one is You!
On the second day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Two simple words that make a difference: Thank you! (For our dedicated staff)
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the third day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Three branches of knowledge (reading, writing and arithmetic)
Two simple words that make a difference:
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the fourth day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Four school values (success, creativity, respect, responsibility),
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the fifth day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Five Oamaru Sports (at the interchange in June),
Four school values,
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the sixth and seventh day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
The kids saying Six, Seven!
Five Oamaru Sports
Four school values,
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words,
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the eighth day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Eight as in 7x8 is fifty-six
The kids saying Six, Seven!
Five Oamaru Sports
Four school values,
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words,
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the ninth day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Nine Year 7 pantos,
Seven Eights are ____,
The kids saying Six, Seven!
Five Oamaru Sports
Four school values,
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the tenth day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Ten Year 8 camps,
Nine Year 7 pantos,
Seven Eights are ____,
The kids saying Six, Seven!
Five Oamaru Sports
Four school values,
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the eleventh day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Eleven kiwis spotted, (At Stewart Island)
Ten Year 8 Camps,
Nine Year 7 pantos,
Seven Eights are ____,
The kids saying Six, Seven!
Five Oamaru Sports
Four school values,
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words,
And a most important One, and that one is You!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, the school gave to me:
Twelve days until Christmas!
Eleven kiwis spotted,
Ten year 8 camps,
Nine Year 7 pantos,
Seven Eights are ____,
The kids saying Six, Seven!
Five Oamaru Sports
Four school values,
Three branches of knowledge,
Two simple words
And a most important One, and that one is You!
____________________________________________
End of year celebrations are always tinged with sadness as we lose half our school. Teachers and support staff move on to other opportunities.
We thank Destiny Carvell for her work around the school and especially her leadership in the performing arts and, of course, aerobics.
We also say farewell to Morgann Price from Room 16, and we thank you for all the work you have done to support students in class and around the school.
Thank you also to Oceana and Max, two of our hard-working learning assistants who are returning full-time to University next year to complete their studies.
To the year 8’s who are leaving….
I love Tahuna because we provide so many opportunities for students to try new things. These opportunities allow them to grow as people. 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 Tahuna, 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.
To the Year 7s
I want you to think about what our school will be like next year. Intermediates are the only schools that 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, and how we look after the school and its resources will be set by the 240 Year 7 students 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 250 Year 7s joining us next year.
I want to acknowledge those families who have their last child in Year 8. For some, it has been a ten-year association with the school, and we wish you all the very best and thank you for allowing us to educate all of your children. For those parents whose first child is going to high school. Good luck as you enter the wonderful world of the teenage brain!
Thank you to all of the incredible, hard-working staff. Your passion, dedication, and tireless effort throughout the year have been the cornerstone of our school's success and the positive growth of our students. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or behind the scenes, your commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching environment does not go unnoticed.
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.
Nga mihi nui
Simon Clarke