Tokomairiro High School Newsletter & Community Noticeboard
Wednesday 4th June 2024
Genesis Genesis
238 Union Street MILTON T: 03 417 4483 E: genesis@tokohigh.school.nz
Boiler Replacement Progress Update On Monday, 20th May, the old coal-fired boilers were finally removed to make way for the new wood chip boilers. This has been a long, drawn-out process that started at the end of winter 2021 when the Ministry of Education informed the school that the government had decided to scrap all coal boilers in schools due to carbon emissions. After much discussion over the next two years about heat pumps, wood pellets, wood chips, and solar power, a decision was made on behalf of the school to install wood pellet boilers and bring the pellets by truck from Christchurch. After the impracticality of transporting wood pellets from Christchurch on a diesel fuel truck (approximately 450km) when there is a wood chip manufacturing plant 2km down the road, it was eventually agreed to install two wood chip-fuelled boilers. The original time frame for the removal of the coal boilers and installation of the wood chip boilers was to see the project completed by the end of March before the start of Term 2. Delays occurred, however, due to resource consents and an incomplete asbestos report. With little progress made, it was decided at the end of March to install a temporary diesel-fired boiler. This boiler has been unreliable, often failing to operate on Mondays and cold, frosty mornings, leaving classrooms cold. Hopefully, now with all delays and issues resolved, it will be full steam ahead for the next eight weeks. Modifications to the boiler house for the installation of the new boilers mean they should be operational by August. Let’s hope the diesel boiler functions reliably in the interim, and we will address carbon emissions later. Part of the old coal boiler is removed by crane in late May.
Uniform Reminder
Now that we are starting to feel the effects of winter weather, it is time to remind students of the uniform requirements. Softshell jackets are still able to be worn, or the new longer, waterproof jacket which is available from NZ Uniforms. Thermal tops are able to be worn under the polo tee shirts or checked shirts. These are to be black or navy. Hoodies and other non–uniform items are not acceptable. Students wearing skirts are allowed to wear navy stockings. There are some items of second hand uniform and new uniform pieces available at the school office, or you can join the Tokomairiro High Second Hand uniform page on Facebook by going to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1056602061990214. For any questions about uniform, please talk to your child’s dean.
Dates to Remember…2024 Wednesday 19th June Indoor Bowls Championships Tuesday 25th June Blue Mountain Sports Exchange Friday 28th June Matariki (School Closed) Friday 5th July End of Semester One (Years 9-13)/ End of Term Two