All students were back from their Winter Tournaments last week, and seniors are now preparing for their practice external examinations beginning next Monday.

On Tuesday a group of Music students began setting up the hall for their annual Music Concert on Wednesday evening.

Year 13 students Caron Purvis and Stephany Walker report on a teaching award:
“Recently one of our teachers, Miss Joanna Sheridan, received an award recognizing her exemplary classroom skills, innovative approaches to teaching, and her commitment to education inside and outside the classroom. She was nominated for the National Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Award by her students, who believe that the contribution she makes to their education goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Miss Sheridan is committed to her work and is passionate about teaching and learning. Some examples of this include engaging students in English and Drama lessons, organizing the annual Lip Sync competition, extending her students through involvement in competitions such as Manu Korero, the ‘Theatre in the Bush’ One Act Play Festival, and organizing camps and trips. Miss Sheridan has also coached a variety of sports at the College. All of this is in addition to her work as HOD English, where she oversees the running of the English Department, and Year 13 Dean, which sees her mentoring, and helping her Year 13 students.
Miss Sheridan is also a member of a number of committees at Tararua College such as the Guidance Committee, the Arts Committee, HOD Committee, Restorative Practices Committee and the Tararua College Futures Committee.
She has received the first part to this award and now moves on to the next round. We all are very proud and excited for Miss Sheridan and wish her the best of luck in the next part of the Awards.”


Miss Sheridan pictured with her Certificate, the Year 13 students, and co-Dean Mr Ngatuere

Year 10 Damien Foote-McCutcheon reports on K2 Kayaker’s recent visit to Tararua:
“On Wednesday August 24th, a group of students went to listen to a talk by Jasper Bats, a member of the K2 New Zealand squad. He spoke about the way you can balance school and sport and setting goals then achieving them. He said you had to work and fight hard for what you want, not what others want. Anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard and don’t let anything get in the way of it.


Swimmers Ben Blackwell and Kathryn Pound with Scott Sowry (Motocross) and Gareth Cannon (Mountain Biking) pictured with NZ K2 Kayaker Jasper Bats at his recent talk at Tararua

Year 9 student Yuri Powell wrote this report for the Boys’ Hockey Tournament trip:
“Last week the hockey team went on tournament in Stratford. We left on Monday at 8:30 sharp for Stratford, and it took us two and a half hours. We played our first game that afternoon.
Every night we had a quiz, with 15 questions on the normal subjects and then we had 15 questions on sport.
On the third day, during our game, it was 2 -0 at half time. Then in the last ten minutes, they got 2 goals so it was 2 all. The whistle went and we had to have a shoot-out. We missed one and then they missed one. It went to our second sudden death and we had to wait and then Troy had a go at goal and it went in. We all ran on and hugged him.
The next day we went and played our last game and won that 1- 0.
The tournament was great fun, and I learned not to always expect to win. To go with a good attitude is important.”

Jemma Lochhead was a member of the Girls’ Hockey team who travelled to Levin:
“Tararua gave a gutsy performance as there was little between the teams all the way through and we played some great games. Unfortunately we couldn’t finish with a victory, but our skills grew immensely.
Our Tournament Player goes to our goalie Caron Purvis. Thanks to all parents, and Mrs Carter, who helped out during the week and with fundraising.”


Georgia Mayer in action at the Girls’Hockey Tournament


The Girls’ Hockey team in Levin, complete with BNZ sponsored drink bottles

For further information on this column or about Tararua College events, please contact the College office, or email Mr. Mcknight at the College.