Royal visit:On Saturday 10th November, ex-pupil Heelan Tompkins brings her Equestrian friend from England Zara Phillips (the Queen's grand-daughter) to visit Spotswood.
Most Taranaki Secondary Schools have roll increases.
On 19th February, an attempt was made to burn down the Caretaker's shed.
On 20th March, a major storm struck Taranaki with winds over 110kmh closing many schools including Spotswood.
On 24th April, the Prime Minister the Rt.Hon. John Key visited the College with MP for New Plymouth Jonathon Young.
The Government positions NCEA Level 2 as a foundation qualification that will lead students into success in future education.
The NCEA Level 2 standards were realigned.
In early-June Principal Mark Bowden travelled to Japan where an agreement was formally signed to form a relationship with Hatsukaichi High School in Hiroshima, Japan.
This year celebrates the 10th year of International students at Spotswood. In 2012, 42 international and 3 exchange students were registered.
Gateway continues its popularity with 87 students involved in this year's programme.
"Kai with Soul" Food & Nutrition fortnightly features in the Daily News completed the 5th year.
OurETUprogramme (Education,Taking part andUnity) is introduced. Spotswood stands tall for our education in a safe, inclusive and consistent environment. We are diverse and caring. ETU underpins and develops the values and key competencies of the N.Z. Curriculum. ETU is founded upon highly effective and respectful relationships which enable us to achieve our individual and coporate goals. The following values are the basis of our relationships:Respect,Co-operation,Care for one another,Courage,Honesty,Responsibility.
On Saturday 23rd June, the PTA hosts a mid-winter Gala Day to raise funds for the College.
On 8th August the Paritutu tragedy makes national and international news. During a TOPEC course on Paritutu two students and an instructor were swept of the rock by a freak wave and drowned. RIP Stephen Kahukaka-Gedye (Year 13), Felipe Melo (from Brazil) and Bryce Jourdain (TOPEC instructor).
The Sheila Winn Shakespeare Festival 15 minute "Macbeth" student-directed (Laura Anderson & Jahla Tran-Lawrence) team won the regional competition held at Stratford and then represented Taranaki at the national finals in Wellington in June. At the national festival, our team won the "Most Outstanding Student Directed Ensemble Piece" award.
In Term 1, Spotswood won the Taranaki Secondary Schools Literary Challenge.
Two teams entered the Waikato University Taranaki regional Mooting competition with team 1 winning. They represented Taranaki at the semis-finals held in Hamilton.
Two students were successful at the NPDC Young Achiever's Awards- Tai Juneau won the Male Sports Achievement Award, and Callum Johns won the Super Student Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award group continued with 8 students working towards a bronze award, 2 towards a silver and 2 towards a gold.
11 History students and 2 staff undertook a 2 week study trip to Vietnam.
The resurrection of our Kapa Haka saw a group of 19 perform at various events.
Music:-Spotswood once again hosted the Taranaki Secondary Schools Orchestra Day. The Hatrix Jazz Band won a Gold Award at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Band Festival held in Hamilton. Two students had their compositions selected for the Top 50 in the "Play it Strange" national songwriting competition. Despite having to record a video prior to entering the Taranaki Rockquest regionals, 2 of the Spotswood groups were successful in gaining a regional entry. The band "Astral Lake" took out 3rd place.
"Spotty Idol 8" was another amazing night won this year by
Several Year 13 Art students attended the 18th Biennale of Sydney exhibition.
17th - 20th September we hosted Santiago College, Chile in Girls' Hockey, Girls' Volleyball, 1st XV Rugby, 1st XI Boys Soccer.
Sophia Smolenski gained the highest mark in NZ for Visual Arts printmaking, and received her Top Scholar award at Government House in April, 2013.This was one of 35 Top scholar awards.
