The $1.2million upgrade of the administration block, hall and staffroom is completed.
The TSB Community Trust present a grant of $160,000 for Performing Arts, IT, Shade cloths and the Year 13 common room.
10th anniversary of relationship with the Akemi English Language School (AES) from Hiroshima, Japan. In late-March Spotswood hosted a group of students from Akemi.
On Wednesday 15th March, local climber Mr. Derek Andrews and HOD-PE Mr. Phil Gayton led a group of 19 that included 3 staff and 16 students (14 International and 2 Year 13 Sport & Recreation class) to the summit of Mt. Taranaki/Egmont. The highlight was when the Principal Graeme McFadyen stood on summit rock and raised the Spotswood flag.
For 3 weeks in April Jayden Hill & Dayna Roberts travelled to Nepal on a "Youth to Everest" trek.
In March, the US Ambassador Mr. William McCormick and his wife Gail visited the College.
In July two ex-pupils currently MP's visited the College. MP for New Plymouth the Hon Harry Duynhoven(1968-1971) and the Hon Robyn Parker MLC (nee:McEwen 1972-1975) who was elected as a Liberal party MP to the New South Wales Parliament (Australia) in 2003.
After 5 years the Gateway programme is an integral part of the curriculum. Over 70 students take part each year. Nine obtained apprenticeships during the year.
In early-May, an Opossum incident in the gymnasium makes national and international headlines.
Year 13 Leadership camp is held at Vertical Horizons.
In Term 1 the senior Drama students attended a week long camp in Wellington coinciding with the International Arts Festival.
Mr. Greenfield takes over as HOD-Music. The various band groups have a successful year. Spotswood hosted the first Taranaki Secondary Schools Orchestra day in Term 2. On 20th June, Spotswood hosted the Taranaki regional ""Big Sing" schools contest. The major events of the year were:- the Hamilton Music Festival, the Golden Oldies Concert and the All Bands concert.
Kapa Haka competed at the Pae Rangatahi regionals (Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu) at Hawera winning 5 sections but finishing in 2nd place beaten by just 3 points. In June the roopu travelled to Mystery Creek to perform in the Secondary Schools Kapa Haka nationals but were unplaced. In September the group performed at the Manu Ariki regional competition missing out on first place by 5 points.
Major Production:- "Disco Inferno".
Another successful "Spotty Idol-2", was won by Sarah Trevathen.
The YES company was called "Bandded" selling insect repellent wristbands and CD folders.
On Wednesday 11th October Mrs. Carolyn Miles was awarded the Sir James Fletcher Award for "Outstanding contributions to the Young Enterprise Education" scheme.
Spotswood raises $4458 for the World Vision 40-hour Famine programme.
Stuart Julian is elected as Chairman of the NPDC-Youth sub-committee. He attended the inaugural Aspiring Leaders 4-day Forum in Wellington.
Stuart Julian participated in a 10-day Spirit of New Zealand course.
On 5-6 May, Spotswood hosted the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival regionals
Sarah Maessen attended the Global Young Leader's Conference held in Washington DC and New York at the end of term 2.
In late-August a group of 10 students took part in the annual OPC trip to Turangi.
On 29th August the Year 13 Biology class took a day trip to Hamilton.
On 21st September Spotswood held its first "Wearable Arts Extravaganza".
Tuesday 2nd August 8 sports teams travelled to Hamilton to contest the McFadyen shield against Fairfield College. Six codes were involved with Fairfield winning the trophy 6-2.
On 27th October we hosted a very successful "Thank the Coaches" dinner.
The concept of a "Sports Institute" was being investigated.
The USA Ambassador Bill McComick and his wife visit.
We mourned the loss of 3 students during the year: Melissa Long, Mike Parkes, and Auron Steen.
Several long serving teachers retire:- Mr. Trevor Lanning (Geography & Social Studies) after 36 years; Lesley Kreisler (Textiles) after 27 years; John Hodgkinson (HOD-Social Sciences) after 20 years; Kyle Gilmore (HOD-English) after 18 years; Robyn Moran (Associate Principal) after 15 years; and Lee George (Special Needs) after 10 years.
5 students gain Scholarships in Level 3 NCEA.
On Monday 24th July, the Spotswood College Alumni Trust was established by Mr. Phil Gayton. Eight former students are the Trustees:- Phil Gayton (Chairperson), Jenny Goddard (nee:Lobb-Secretary), Len Walker (Treasurer), Tim Coleman, Lindsay Thomson & Bruce Lawrence.
