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Principal's Blog: Term 3 Week 6
Friday, 25 August 2023
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Kia ora whānau The Board of Management recently engaged in a recruitment exercise and we were humbled to receive a number of expressions of interest, from which a discernment process was undertaken. The Board has since appointed three new Management Board members; Duncan Scott brings both financial management and school governance acumen, Lili Tuioti has an educational leadership background and carries significant governance responsibilities across Aotearoa and the Pacific, including being a current board member of NZQA, and Jan Plummer brings professional commercial property expertise. Welcome Duncan, Lili, and Jan, and thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in joining the Board of Management. Our Trust Board has welcomed a new appointed trustee, lawyer Jonathan Scragg, who will be one of three Trust Board members who constitutionally sit across the two-tiered governance structure that our Trust Deed determines. The school is incredibly grateful to its board members who give significantly of their time and talent in support of advancing the strategic aims of Marsden. Last Saturday night’s mid-winter semi-formal was hugely successful. I couldn’t be more delighted with the way in which our students and their guests respected the kaupapa of the evening, with young people enjoying appropriate socialising with one another and having a wonderful time with their friends. I extend my congratulations to everyone who attended for demonstrating understanding of the expectations set, and for being present in the moment and wholeheartedly enjoying the simplicity of a school dance. Special thanks to the organising committee, with particular mention of Year 13 students Sophie Hull and Raiha Kawhiti, for all of their hard work. Thank you also to my staff who gave up their Saturday night, contributing to its success. As I write, our auditioned choir, Altissime, is participating in the Big Sing finale in the Auckland Town Hall, having been selected as one of the country’s most talented school choirs following qualification at the regional choral festival. The school was fortunate to have shared in their finale repertoire at an assembly as part of their preparation, and we can attest to their stunning, transcendent performances. We wish all in Altissime a wonderful time at what is a stunning celebration of their art, that comes with an opportunity to share their creativity with other school choirs from across the country. We look forward, with great anticipation, to the Gala Performance on Sunday night. Our Winter Tournament Week Senior A sports teams are only days away from participating in what, for many, is the highlight of their seasons. Our netball team are at home in Wellington, football is based in Palmerston North, hockey travel to Christchurch to the prestigious Federation Cup and underwater hockey head to Auckland later in the week. We wish our sports teams all the very best for their tournaments, and I know they will do themselves and the school proud on and off the courts, pools, and pitches. Play hard, play fair and ensure that sport is the winner on the day! Thank you to all of the unsung heroes who volunteer in support of activities at Marsden. Your dedication week in, week out is hugely appreciated, and our students would not have these opportunities without your goodwill and dedication. Taking groups away is a huge undertaking, and we appreciate that many are taking time off work and sacrificing spending precious time with their own families for the benefit of our students. We are immensely grateful. Go well. |