 |
 |
 |
Kia ora e te whānau o Mākoura College Nau mai, haere mai — welcome back to Term 2! I hope our students, whānau and staff have had a safe, restful break — time to recharge, reconnect, and return ready for what is shaping up to be an outstanding term ahead. What a Term 1 it was. The momentum we built as a kura was real and it was visible — in our classrooms, on the water, on the court, and in our community. We head into Term 2 carrying that energy forward, with even greater ambition. 🏆 Celebrating Term 1 — The Highlights We Carry With Us Before we look ahead, it's worth pausing to honour what our tauira achieved last term: National Champions – Waka Ama Our Under-16 Boys Waka Ama crew were crowned National Champions at the NZ Secondary Schools Championships in Rotorua — No.1 in Aotearoa in the 250m six-man Te Ihu class. Incredible. Volleyball – NZ Nationals Qualification Our Senior Volleyball Boys qualified for NZ Secondary Schools Nationals, fighting back to finish Top 5 at Regionals. Touch Champions Our Senior Touch Boys dominated the Wairarapa competition with a 10–1 final to take the championship title. Regional Waka Ama Titles Our Kia Manawanui Waka Ama team won double U19 Regional titles in Wellington — 250m and 500m. Individual Excellence
These are not small things. These are our values in action — Whaia te Tika, Whaia te Pono, Whaia te Aroha — showing up in everything our rangatahi do.  |
📣 Leadership Announcement — SLT Appointments I am absolutely thrilled to announce the appointments that will shape the next chapter of Mākoura College. Following a thorough and competitive recruitment process, I am proud to welcome the following people into our new Senior Leadership Team, effective Term 2 2026. Dan Hrstich — Deputy Principal (Whaia te Tika) Dan has been a cornerstone of Mākoura College through our transformation. As DP Tika, he leads the systems and structures that underpin everything else we do — attendance, timetabling, behaviour, compliance, and institutional planning. He knows this kura, he believes in it, and he brings the kind of principled, consistent leadership that our staff and students deserve. |
 |
Peter Beech & Lauren Tauveli — Deputy Principals (Whaia te Aroha) Peter and Lauren together lead the heart of our College — student wellbeing, pastoral care, cultural identity, guidance, and belonging. Peter has grown from Junior Dean to Head of Faculty PE to this role, and that journey speaks volumes about his character and commitment. Lauren has been a quiet powerhouse in this kura, and her appointment as substantive DP Aroha is richly deserved. Together, they are the right people to hold and strengthen the relational fabric of Mākoura. |
 |
 |
Tom Campbell — Assistant Principal: Operations & Engagement Tom joins us as an external appointment, bringing fresh perspective and strong operational experience to Mākoura. As AP Operations & Engagement — and carrying the Head of Faculty PE role — Tom will ensure our day-to-day operations run smoothly, our events are well-run, and our sports and academy programmes continue to grow. We are delighted to welcome him and his whānau to our community. |
 |
Andrew Hutchby — Senior Leader: Strategic Implementation & School Improvement Hy moves into a focused strategic implementation role that plays directly to his considerable strengths — leading Hui-ā-Kura, driving school improvement, coordinating our International Student programme, and supporting our communications and community engagement. His contribution to this kura has been enormous, and this role ensures that impact continues in a lane where he genuinely thrives. |
 |
📅 Term 2 — What's Ahead Term 2 is always a big one, and this year is no exception. Here's what's coming:
Our attendance shift last term — nearly 60% of students attending 90% or more of the time — was one of the most significant things we achieved together. Let's keep building on that this term. Attendance is the foundation everything else is built on. If you need support getting your young person here regularly, please reach out — we're here to help. |
Kia Manawanui Our motto is not just a phrase on a wall. It is a way of being — courageous, compassionate, resilient. I see it in our students every day, and it drives everything we do at this kura. As we move into Term 2, I want to acknowledge how far we have come — and how much further we are going together. Mākoura College truly is the place to be. Thank you for your ongoing trust, aroha, and partnership. Let's make Term 2 count. Nō reira, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. Kia Manawanui. Simon Fuller Tumuaki | Principal |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |