Kia ora e te whānau,

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope everyone enjoyed a refreshing break and has returned ready for another positive and productive term at Whangaparāoa College.

It has been wonderful to see former Whangaparāoa College learners achieving on the international stage. I particularly loved watching Zoe Pedersen represent New Zealand in swimming at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this week. We are also incredibly proud of Aimee Bright and Kosta Gladiadis, more past learners, who have achieved outstanding results against the world’s best in windfoiling and wingfoiling. Their success reflects enormous talent, commitment and perseverance, and they remain inspirational examples for our current learners.

We have already enjoyed significant community engagement this term. Our Year 7 and 8 Learner-Led Conferences, the Year 9 and 10 Meet the Subject Teacher evening, and last night’s Options Selection Evening for 2027 have all provided valuable opportunities for learners, whānau and staff to connect.

Options selection opens today for learners currently in Years 8–12. This is an important process, and I encourage families to take the time to discuss the available choices carefully. Selecting appropriate subjects helps ensure learners remain engaged and have the pathways they need for their future aspirations.

This week, we have also welcomed Year 6 learners from our local primary schools for their annual visit to the College. These visits are an important part of our transition programme, helping future learners become familiar with our people, facilities and environment before they begin with us. If you know families who are still intending to enrol for 2027, please encourage them to complete the enrolment process through our website as soon as possible.

It has also been great to see the second half of the school sports season spring back into action. The weather continues to create challenges, but I appreciate the commitment of our learners, coaches, managers, officials and supporters. A reminder that, regardless of conditions or results, we must always conduct ourselves in a way that reflects our College values and represents our community with pride.

Term 3 is a significant term for learning. Strong routines matter: attending school every day, arriving prepared and on time, making good choices, completing the required work, and reinforcing learning at home while balancing sporting, cultural and family commitments.

For our senior learners in particular, there are not many weeks remaining before examinations and final assessments. The time to focus, work hard and seek support is now. Every lesson and every opportunity counts.

I look forward to another busy and successful term as we continue to live our values:

Ngātahi – Together | Whakapono – Believe | Tutuki – Achieve

Ngā mihi nui,

Steve McCracken
Principal | Tumuaki

July

29               Option Portal opens
30               Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Parent Information Evening

August

02               Community Planting Day
04               Cultural House Day
                   Enrolment Interview Evening
06               Photolife - Teams
07               Photolife - Teams
12               Half School Assemblies
17 - 21        Senior Wānanga Camp

September

06 - 11        AIMS
09               Half School Assemblies
11               MoE Staff Only Day
14 - 23        Derived Exams