CAS principal upbeat about 2023

Principal of Collingwood Area School (CAS), Hugh Gully, appeared relaxed and upbeat about term one of 2023 in his update with The GB Weekly

Kicking off the new school year with a mihi whakatau on day one, they welcomed 10 new secondary school students and two not-so-new teachers into the fold.

“The students are all new to the district,” said Hugh. “And that includes two German international students.”

Returning teacher Rosie Riley “isn’t really new” Hugh explained, as she had undertaken a lot of relief teaching previously. She will now be teaching Years 3-4. English teacher Roisin Warner had also been working frequently at CAS and has now stepped into a permanent full-time role.

Last Friday, the school held an in-house poroaki to farewell long-serving deputy principal Alison Menary. Ali has worked under six different principals during her 33 years in the role. Board of Trustees chair Brendan Richards spoke of her calm, consistent demeanour and how she was always very fair and considered.

Term one sees all primary and secondary students setting out on camping trips. Hugh is looking forward to the upcoming senior camp at Lake Rotoiti. All students from Years 9-13 will experience a week of adventuring and bonding under his leadership. Hugh believes it’s a valuable exercise “that sets up the culture for the year”.

Meanwhile the school’s rebuild is progressing well, with the roof about to go on the new administration and staffroom block. Cladding will follow, then the internal furnishings. The technical department has been gutted and is undergoing internal refurbishment to bring the food area and teaching

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“So it’s amazing – progressing well,” said Hugh.

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