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Friday 16 February 2024
GBHS welcomes new principal
Making an entrance: Golden Bay High School's new principal Jono Hay has taken over the role from Linda Tame. Photo: Ronnie Short. RONNIE SHORT
Jono Hay is Golden Bay High School’s new principal, stepping up from his previously held role as deputy principal at Ashburton College. Initially, Jono plans to get to know students and staff, and continue building the relationship with Manawhenua ki Mohua. He appreciatively described the pōwhiri held at Onetahua Marae as “an incredible warm welcome from Manawhenua ki Mohua”. A pōwhiri also took place at Golden Bay High School (GBHS) last Thursday, attended by eight staff and students from Ashburton College. “The whole school did a haka and a waiata. They performed incredibly well,” said Jono. He was impressed that head students Lewis Langford and Hazel Molloy extended a welcome via email during the holidays. Inspired by the new buildings, and previous principal Linda Tame’s legacy, Jono sees no need to make any immediate changes to the way the school functions. Although there will be the need to implement government criteria around cellphone use, which had mostly been decided upon prior to Linda leaving. “It’s an exciting time... we’ve got these Golden Bay
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incredible new buildings... and a brand-new strategic plan that a huge amount of work has gone into from Linda and the board. It’s my role to continue to work towards that vision and direction. And to make sure the teaching and learning that’s happening sets our rangatahi up for their next steps beyond school in the 21st century.” Jono’s wife Hannah still teaches at Ashburton College part-time and cares for their 17-month-old daughter Rosie. “They will be moving up to Mohua... hopefully April or May.” Feeling a connection to Mohua, Jono explained, “My family has holidayed in Tōtaranui every summer for the last 26 years... I’ve also spent time up here whitewater kayaking in the past.” Outdoors is clearly a love of Jono’s, from sailing to freediving, spearfishing, fly fishing, tramping, and rock climbing. “It’s a great place to be in terms of those things.” He also enjoys football and golf. Born in Christchurch, Jono lived in Seddon, then Blenheim, before moving to Geraldine, where his teacher father became head of English at Geraldine High School.
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After completing school, Jono studied at the University of Canterbury; he lived in Christchurch and overseas for 10 years, before undertaking teacher training at the NZ Graduate School of Education. He taught at Mt Hutt High School for five years, then Ashburton College as head of science for nearly three years, before becoming deputy principal. “In my view, critical parts of a well-rounded education would be covering academic learning, social skills, leadership, service, and cultural and arts opportunities... and sports. We want students to contribute to their local and global communities as well. We want them to develop and represent our high school values – wairuatanga, kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga,” Jono says. GBHS also welcomes new staff: Anaru Mikaere (head of Māori), returnees Rob and Michelle Anderson (physical education and health), Jessica Henderson (Years 7 and 8), and Tom Lake (Poutama programme leader). Acknowledging deputy principal Coralie Stopford and assistant principal Gerard Tindling for their support concluded Jono’s appreciation of a very warm welcome to the community.
JO RICHARDS
Golden Bay Community Board’s monthly meeting – the first of 2024 – was held at Tasman District Council’s Service Centre in Tākaka on Monday afternoon. Board chair Abbie Langford welcomed all attendees including fellow representatives, councillor Celia Butler, several Tasman District Council (TDC) staff, plus members of the public. Councillor Chris Hill submitted her apologies. Public Forum Both of the items raised in public forum focused on environmental protection and regeneration, and the resulting social benefits. Cynthia McConville, speaking on behalf of Golden Bay Forest and Bird, began by describing the Three Rivers project – an initiative launched last year to address concerns about dogs disturbing coastal birds, most notably at Rototai and Rangihaeata. After calling for better enforcement by TDC, Cynthia said dogwalkers should be provided with an alternative to beaches and proposed the development of “a shared path network in an around the Tākaka township”. The Walk Tākaka project, she said, would “build on existing pathways and on our natural environment” and ideally include a new riverbank section. Cynthia concluded with a request for the board to adopt the project, and ask TDC for funding, and the resources to explore the possibility of a Tākaka River walk. Hans Stoffregen, from the Friends of East Mohua (FOEM), spoke about the Pōhara Wetland Restoration Project. Having become concerned about the natural values of the area behind Selwyn Street and adjacent to the golf course, Hans explained that FOEM was keen to “regenerate streams and native forest” and is hoping to raise funds to “purchase the land and turn it into an area the public can enjoy”. Hans said that FOEM wanted to know what TDC’s “aspirations” for the land were, and was looking to engage with council staff. “We hope that Community Board and TDC can collaborate with us to come up with a plan.” Presentations Te Kakau Stream Restoration Project: Project Mohua’s (PM) Sukie Conley, the lead for the stream rejuvenation initiative, explained that PM wanted to develop a strategic plan which covered an area “from Motupipi Stream to the mouth of the Tākaka River” over the next few years. Continued on page 3
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