As we head into another weekend and reflect on a very busy and interactive week for our students I want to take a minute to wish all our mothers a wonderful day on Sunday!

As we embark on another term ahead we extend a warm welcome back to all our students returning to Term 2 and special greetings to those new families who have joined us in Term 2. We are certainly looking forward to having you as part of the Whitby Collegiate family.

It may have been a short week, but a busy one nonetheless. There was certainly some excitement and air of anticipation with the final meeting of the families of the students who are set to embark on the trip to Spain next week.

It is certainly time for reflection as we head into the Easter break and as always we are so grateful for the dedication of our Chaplain Rev Chris in nurturing the spiritual growth and care of our school community.

This week, we had the wonderful opportunity to host three international students from Japan, weaving the rich tapestry of global cultures into the heart of Whitby Collegiate. Their inclusion in the full range of school activities and the warm hospitality of the Anamani (Oriana and Faustina) and Stevens (Lily) families went above and beyond, and we thank them so much for looking after our visitors.

This past week has been an exciting one for our Year 9 cohort who took on challenges outside of the classroom based at Talima Lodge in Waikanae. Our students had the opportunity to dive into a variety of activities that not only tested their physical capabilities but also strengthened their team building skills. Rafting down the rapids on Otaki was an absolute highlight as was the rock climbing, tramping and other outdoor activities which saw students learn invaluable survival skills.

At the heart of Whitby Collegiate's ethos is the concept of servant leadership, a principle that encourages individuals to lead by serving others. This principle was celebrated and reinforced at our Commissioning Assembly this week, an event that not only recognises our student leaders but also asks them to commit to their roles with integrity, humility, and dedication.

After the initial flurry of activity that marks the start of a new school year, we are pleased to see our students seamlessly settling into the rhythm of their academic and extracurricular engagements.

This week the highlight has without doubt been the school’s annual Athletics Day on Wednesday. We saw a marked increase in participation rates, and high levels of school spirit on display as students cheered their Houses on.

It is hard to believe that it is the end of the week already and without a doubt the highlight was the outstanding success of yesterday's Parents Meet & Greet BBQ. The event marked a significant moment for our school, celebrating not only the start of a new academic year but also the wonderful expansion of our community with the addition of many new families.