From the Principal's desk...

Principal update for week 1 of Term 3, 2016

Kia ora ki te whānau o Cobham!  

It is my pleasure to write my first Principal update as Acting Principal of Cobham Intermediate for Term 3.  

The term kicked off with a hiss and a roar, with an extremely busy but hugely successful first week.  We started on Monday morning with a mihi whakatau welcome for our four new staff and a large amount of new students.  We were thrilled to welcome the following new staff: Bronwyn Shalfoon - International Director, Nicole Carter on Monday and Friday's - Room 4, Steve Morgan - Room 15 on Monday and Tuesday's and Rebecca McLean - Room 25.  It was very special to come together as one staff and student body to welcome new members to the Cobham whānau and was really appreciated by the new students, staff and their families.

After our own mihi whakatau welcome at Cobham, the student leaders, Kaitiaki Māori, Mr Fowler, Mrs Lambie and myself attended the formal welcome service for Scott Thelning at his new school, Cathedral Grammar.  It was lovely to be there to support him on his first day of his new job and he was touched to have a delegation from Cobham there for him too. We wish him all the very best for the next stage in his career.

This year we decided to hold a split Open Day/Night event. This was because historically the open night event is so well attended that we have not been able to fit everyone in the hall, which has resulted in many families having to stand in the aisles, the foyer and in some years there have been even people spilling outside.  That was not ideal given people have come to our open night to learn more about what Cobham offers and then end up missing the performances and speeches because there was no room in the hall for them.  To combat this issue, we decided to hold an afternoon session from 3.30pm-5.30pm and run the event again in the evening from 6.30pm-8.30pm.  This proved to be a huge hit with strong attendance at both sessions and we received lot's of positive feedback from many families who attended.  We also appreciate the support from many of you who allowed your child(ren) to participate in this event. Having students here to perform, guide and showcase learning in the classes is a huge drawcard and they always represent our school so well, I was so proud of them all, so thank you.

Enrolments are now open for 2017 and you can pick up a prospectus booklet and enrolment form from our school office or download them from our website.  Enrolments close on August 31st this year so please feel free to share this information with any family or friends who may be considering Cobham as an option for the child/ren next year.

Remember this term is just 9 weeks so it will fly by!  Fingers crossed for some warmer weather again soon.

Ngā mihi nui,

Whaea T




By Tamara Bell