New staff members and students were welcomed to the College by a powhiri led by our Kapa Haka.
Mr Green, deputy principal, welcomed the newcomers on behalf of the school. Mr Camp, a new member of the P.E. department responded. The Kapa Haka welcomed the newcomers in song and the Year 7 students sang in reply, on behalf of the student body.
There followed a hongi between new staff and some of the senior students and staff to complete the welcoming ceremony.
Ms Moore then revealed to the students some of the Maori background to the area relating to the College and how this contributes to us being a community of faith and love. New members of staff were then introduced to the students.
This theme was continued in brief speeches by the 2017 head prefects, John Purificacion and Gemma Deftereos.
On leaving the students were offered a biscuit as a sign of ending the tapu on the auditorium which for this ceremony had become a sacred space.
