Welcome to our new newsletter format. We hope you enjoy it!
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our School Open Night! Your support and engagement made it a fantastic event, and we loved seeing so many whānau exploring what our school has to offer. We hope you left with a clear understanding of our values, goals, and the opportunities available for students.
Term Three is always a busy one and there is a lot going on - enrolments from contributing schools, round two of the co-requisite Literacy and Numeracy assessments, school practice exams for senior students and school cultural/team/sports photos. Please take note of any relevant dates and times. If you have any questions or queries, please contact the school office or see the teacher in charge of the activity.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO NCEA
The Minister of Education has made a significant announcement about the future direction of our national qualification, NCEA. Consultation on the proposal is now open and over the coming weeks schools and communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback and input on the final shape of this proposal.
The timeline for the proposal means that there will be no changes for students in Year 9 and above. Your feedback as parents of students undertaking NCEA will still be valuable, and we encourage you to consider the proposed changes documents in the link below.
Under this proposal, students who are currently in Year 8 would be the first group to undertake the Foundational Award in Year 11 or new qualifications in Year 12 and 13.
While we respond to the proposed changes to NCEA, parents of students currently sitting our national qualification can be assured that NCEA is a good qualification and we are committed to delivering quality teaching and learning programmes for all students at Spotswood College.
Through this consultation, New Zealanders have the opportunity to shape a qualification system that reflects our ambition, diversity, and commitment to success.
The Spotswood hockey team finished strong with a fantastic win and a goal that will be remembered as the highlight of the year. It's tough to pick a single most-improved player because the entire team has made incredible progress.
Finishing fourth in the standings is a huge accomplishment and a testament to their hard work. Their frequent practices on our school turf, utilising the new hockey goals funded by Tū Manawa, has really paid off.
A big thank you to our dedicated supporters who braved the Taranaki winter to cheer on the team each week, even when the rain was coming into the dugout sideways! We'd also like to give a special shout-out to our sponsor, Golden Homes Taranaki, for the awesome team jackets. They look amazing and have kept our players warm all season long.
Finally, a big thank you to Tim Biesiek for stepping in to referee our Stratford games which helps take the load off.
TSSSA JUNIOR VOLLYBALL
Junior Girls team
Dhanna Cortez, Katie Takarangi, Charlotte Taylor, Imogen Miles, Kaitlin Taylor, Lucy Rigby, Talia Antill. (Bella Tuavao injured) under Coach Allison Winik, took part in the TSSSA Junior Competitive Volleyball Championships. The girls had great wins over Inglewood HS, NPGHS Y9 and Te Paepae O Aotea. In the final they had a real close battle with Waitara HS losing the first set, winning the second set but unfortunately lost the final deciding set 13-15. The girls now look forward to the term 4 regional qualifying series and the North Island Junior Championships in Wellington.
Junior Boys team
Phoenix Ardell, Ihaka Rei, Neihana Allison, Nikau Rei, Eldon Cortes, Jacob Frost andJoswill Gonzales also took part in the event. They had wins over Inglewood HS, NPBHS B but in the match that really decided the outcome of the trophy the NPBHS A team were more experienced than us in the match exposing our weaknesses when it really counted. The boys team also were carrying injuries and hope to reverse the result also in the regionals and look forward to the North island Championships in Auckland.
BASKETBALL
A massive congratulations to our Senior Girls and Junior A Boys Basketball teams who took out their respective finals on August 16th in Hawera.
Our Junior Boys had a narrow 65-58 victory over Ōpunakē High School, with Year 9 student Lukah Rae taking out the Finals MVP.
Our Senior Girls team, who also came up against Ōpunakē High School, had a nail biter of a game to come out the victor 68-65. Year 11 student Madison Abrams took out the Finals MVP.
Madison Abrams, Ashleigh Te Riini (Y11) and Komene Te Nana (Y13) were rewarded for their strong seasons by being selected in the ALL STAR FIVE for the Senior Girls and Boys divisions.
SPOTSWOOD COLLEGE SPORTS, MUSIC AND CULTURAL PHOTO SCHEDULE
MONDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2025 SCHOOL GYM
Please ensure you have your correct uniform and footwear on the day for your photos. Please meet at the Gym door 10 minutes before your scheduled photo time.
8:30 PREFECTS
8:35 BASKETBALL
Year 9 Boys Year 10 Boys Senior Boys Development Senior Boys Senior Girls
9:00 VOLLEYBALL 2025 Junior Boys 2025 Junior Girls NZSS Beach Students 2025 NZSS Senior Indoor Boys 2025 NZSS Senior Indoor Girls
9:30 - 10:00AM TE WAKA MANAAKI X 3 CLASSES
10:05 NZSS FUTSAL
10:10 NZSS FOOTBALL
10:15 SAILING
10:20 OFF ROAD RACING/MTB
10:25 NETBALL
Whakamana
Pono
10:35 HOCKEY
10:40 RUGBY
10:45 WORLD SCHOLARS
10:40 DEBATING
10:45 VEX VRC REGIONAL TEAM
10:50 INTERNATIONALS
10:55 KAPA HAKA ROOPU
11:00 POLY CLUB
11:05 PERCY JACKSON CAST + CREW
Spotswood College Board of Trustees
Spotswood College is pleased to announce the appointment and reappointment of the following School Board members.
We are grateful for their commitment to our school community and look forward to the continued leadership and support they bring to Spotswood College.
Louise Chapman
Kia ora koutou! I am a parent and finance professional who is passionate about supporting the success and wellbeing of all ākonga. We have two sons currently attending Spotswood, in Year 9 and Year 12, and over the past three years,
I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Board. I understand the responsibilities of governance and the importance of the strategic decision making that supports our principal, staff, and rangatahi. I am a Chartered Accountant and currently work as a Finance and Commercial Manager. I bring financial oversight, commercial insight, and risk awareness to the Board.
I am confident in dealing with complex issues and ensuring sound financial management and stewardship of school resources. Outside of my māhi and whānau, I have a passion for dancing, art, and movies – I enjoy meeting people and being a part of the Taranaki Cathedral community. These interests reflect my belief in the importance of a well-rounded education—one that nurtures academic and personal achievement, creativity, and
character. Spotswood stands out to me as prioritising:
- Forward-thinking and inspiring education programmes and passionate teachers to
help students achieve their best
- Having a caring and whānau-like culture
- Embracing diversity, helping prepare balanced and broad-minded individuals.
The feeling I get attending school events and the Open Evening sums it up when I walk away thinking “wouldn’t it be great to be back at high school” – learning should feel energising!
Virgina Douglas
Tēnā koutou katoa.Ko Rangitumau te māunga.Ko Ruamahanga te awa.Nō Wairarapa ahau.Ko Ginni tōku ingoa.My name is Ginni (Virginia) Douglas. Whilst not originally from Taranaki, it is very much home for my husband, three kids and me now. My eldest daughter is at Spotswood College, and I have been really impressed by the rich experiences she has had at Spotswood and would love to contribute back to the school by being on the BOT. I’d like to give back at a strategic level to our school community. I believe school and community are an important part of the foundation for our children as they develop and grow in their teenage years. I am a qualified lawyer, having worked both in New Zealand and the UK. Currently I am the Chief Risk Officer at Nelson Building Society. I work remotely most of the time but regularly travel to Nelson. Both through my work and my other governance roles, I understand the special role and responsibilities of trustees. I have been on the board of Ōmata School for the past 6 years and the parent representative on the Committee at Ngāmotu Kindergarten (where all our kids went too) for 3 years; was on the Board of a National Citizens Advice service in the UK and in my work I regularly attend Board meetings. I would bring all this experience to the role, as a well as an understanding of school policies and passion for the value of education.
Mike Cole
My name is Mike Cole and I am a business owner, and I am the current Chair of the Board. I have been on the Board for around 8 years and have overseen the building of financial stability and improving our property portfolio to provide modern spaces for our students and staff to operate within. My children came to the school and my focus will remain on getting buildings built/refurbished and maintaining our financial stability.
Fiona Elliott
I currently have one child attending the school, with two others having graduated in recent years. Spotswood College is a unique and valued place, and I’m committed to continuing my support for the entire school community as it remains at the forefront of student centred learning. I also hope to contribute my construction training and experience by supporting the school through the property committee.
Katja Eager
Kia ora koutou. As a parent of a Spotswood College student I see first hand how incredibly passionate, dedicated and committed the team at our kura is to prepare our tamariki for their future. I've joined the school board three years ago as a parent rep to give back to the school, to be involved on a governance level and would love to continue this mahi going forward. I have extensive board experience and worked as a CEO in the charitable sector for the past 13 years. Originally from Germany, I feel very lucky to call Taranaki home since 2008 and to raise our family here.
Timothy Steedman
As a proud former student of Spotswood College (Class of 1999), a local resident living within view of the school, and a parent who will have children at Spotswood through to 2036, I am deeply invested in the ongoing success and future of our school community. I am standing for the Board of Trustees because I believe passionately in the value of inclusive, future-focused education. I want to contribute meaningfully to the governance of a school that already demonstrates strong results and innovative educational approaches. I believe Spotswood College is on a great track — and I want to help ensure this continues, particularly as schools nationwide face increasing pressure to deliver high quality learning within complex and constrained environments. Professionally, I bring experience in leadership, governance, and
infrastructure. I work in a leadership role at a construction consultancy firm and have previously held senior roles in government, council, and business. I also lecture part-time in construction management at WITT. My academic background includes a Diploma in Quantity Surveying, and I am currently completing a Master of Construction Law Alongside my STEM-focused career, I have maintained a strong involvement in the arts.
I am an accomplished musician and performing artist and have served as secretary on the committee of the Taranaki Male Choir and as treasurer for the Taranaki branch of the NZ Choral Federation, helping organise the Big Sing high school choral festival. This broad perspective reflects my belief in the importance of a well-rounded, diverse educational experience.
Careers
Career support and advice is available to students who would like some guidance on career pathways, tertiary studies and scholarships available.
To make an appointment please contact the Careers Advisor
MoneyHub has 10+ NCEA resources to help everyone attain merits and excellences - check it out and prepare for upcoming internals and externals with confidence.
At Spotswood College, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a range of services and opportunities to support your hauora, identity, and sense of belonging. For more information you can visit https://www.spotswoodcollege.school.nz or click the green link below:
Counselling | Manaakitanga Confidential support for students navigating personal, social, or academic challenges. You can self-refer to counselling below.
We have a school attendance target of above 90% for every student. To ensure that together we reach this, it is important that if you know your child is going to be absent from school, that you please contact the school by using one of the following options.
Option 1: Report an absence using the school app SchoolBridge
Option 2: Call 06 751 2416 and press (1) to report a student's absence. Record your child’s name, parents' name, contact details and reason for absence.
Option 3: Send a text to the office on 02102466182
Based on our attendance data system we will send an automated text to parents of any students that are marked absent from class, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Students who arrive late to school must sign in using the tablet at the Office - Student Services. This ensures their attendance is recorded correctly and prevents unnecessary absence notifications from being sent home. .
If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance, please feel free to reach out to Ra or Carla, our Attendance Officers. They’re here to help and can connect you with your child’s Dean or Learning Advisor if needed.
SPOTSWOOD COLLEGE PRODUCTION
The reviews are in!!
The Lightning Thiefhas officially taken Spotswood College by storm! Audiences are raving about the energy, talent, and epic storytelling brought to life on stage. From demigods to monsters, this production is packed with adventure, heart, and a whole lot of fun.
With only a few more performances to go tickets are flying faster than Hermes—so don’t miss out! Grab yours now and experience the magic for yourself. You can book through trybooking.com or hit the link below.
All students who drive to school please do not park within the school grounds. This includes the parking area next to the pedestrian crossing, staff parking at the back of B-Block and A Block. Please park on Belair Ave or Ngāmotu Rd. If you have any questions please see Matua Wayne.
Winter Uniform Reminder
As the colder months approach, we kindly remind you to ensure your child has the correct winter uniform, including the appropriate school jacket or top. This helps maintain consistency and pride in our school community.
Please check our uniform guidelines to ensure your child is dressed appropriately. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school office.
Community Voice survey prezzy card winners!
Congratulations to Rachael Shotter and Chantelle McKenzie, the 2 winners of $100 prezzy cards for participating in the Spotswood College Questionaire for Whanau 2025 - our Community Voice survey.
In today’s fast-changing world, raising and teaching children comes with new challenges and new opportunities. These upcoming workshops provide practical strategies, confidence, and tools to guide our tamariki through sensitive topics with care, clarity, and strength. Educating Sexually Healthy and Digitally Literate Kids in a Changing World (for educators) https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/.../educating-sexually... Teaching Relationships and Sexuality Education in the digital age is complex. From social media pressures to pornography exposure and child exploitation, young people face influences unlike any generation before. The Tricky Chats Parent Workshop (for parents & caregivers of all ages)https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/.../tricky-chats-for-parents... Facilitated with warmth and expertise, this session supports parents and caregivers to navigate the most important and sometimes uncomfortable conversations with their children. You will learn: The latest research on what kids are exposed to online and offline Strategies for playdates, sleepovers, and navigating family differences Age-appropriate, shame-free scripts for conversations about sex, bodies, consent, screens, and safety How to adapt approaches for neurodivergent children Where to find further help and resources Parents leave with a clear plan and renewed confidence for having open, ongoing conversations that build resilience, self-awareness, and safety skills in their children.
