The Ministry of Education is reviewing the current Education Act(1989).
The MOE advised that both the Special Needs Unit(SNU) and the gymnasium would be replaced with new buildings. S Block would also be significantly upgraded.
In October, the MOE advised that the SNU block would be the first priority and the new facility would be built in the B-block carpark.
The TSB Community Trust donates $77,000 to the College.
On Thursday 23rd April, ex-pupil Graham Chard(Air Force) unveiled the new Roll of Honour board. During the previous 15 years, our historian Mr. Phil Gayton had been compiling a list of ex-spotswoodian students who had served overseas in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Police.
A Parent Consultative Group (PCG) was established to enhance home/school relationships.
A review on the form/whanau class system was being undertaken.
A new school jacket was introduced.
14th June the PTA Winter Gala raised almost $15,000.
Cultural:- The Kapa Haka group competed at the Manu Korero and Paeranatahi speech and kapa haka festival in Hawera. Matua Clive Tonga-Awhikau is the Kapa Haka tutor and with Komiti Maori is keen to raise the groups profile in 2016.
In August we hosted 6 students from Hatsukaichi HS, Hiroshima, Japan.
Four Year 9 & 10 students qualified for the New Zealand "Spelling Bee" semi-finals held in Hamilton, with two (Roan Upson & Katie Pullen) qualifying for the finals in Wellington.
On 13th August, 21 French and Spanish students made a joint trip to Wellington to participate in Lingofest (an International Language Drama competition).
The International Department continued to be successful.
"Kai with Soul" Food & Nutrition fortnightly features in the Daily News completed the 8th year.
On 23rd September, 9 students and 2 staff left for a study trip to Vietnam.
The Year 13 Geography students undertook a field trip to the Bay of Plenty region.
Spotswood entered 3 teams in the Taranaki Secondary Schools Mooting regionals.
On Thursday 27th August, at the Taranaki Methanex Mathematics Spectacular our Year 10 team won the Quiz for the second year in a row.
Music:- In term 2 Spotswood hosted the Taranaki Orchestra Day for the 10th consecutive year, and the Hatrix Jazz band won a Silver award at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Band Festival. Our band "No Good" won first place overall at the Taranaki Rockquest regionals with the "Garage Girls" winning the Low Down Best Song category.
"Spotty Idol 11" was another amazing night won jointly this year by Josie Hick and Mahana Nathan.
Sports teams:-Badminton, Boys' & Girls' Basketball; the Equestrian team finished 1st= at the NISS Show Jumping event; Hockey; Netball; Boys' Rugby; Boys' & Girls' Soccer; and Boys' & Girls' Volleyball.
Te Kapotai Tohu (Year 11) represented NZ at the Junior World Boxing Championships in Russia.
Our Equestrian Show Jumping team finished 1st= at the North Island Secondary Schools championships held in Cambridge.
A team of 11 took part in the annual NZSS Tough Guy & Girl Challenge (a 6km timed mud run) at Rotorua.
On Thursday 15th October, Spotswood took part in the national earthquake drill.
The $135,000 Netball/Tennis/Basketball Astroturf project undertaken by our Director/HOD Sport Mr. Phil Gayton was nearing completion. Special thanks to the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) and the TSB Community Trust for their financial support.
We farewelled Mary-Ann Stretton who had been the Science Technician for almost 20 years; English teacher Miss Emily Scott (an ex-pupil) after 13 years of dedicated service; Special Needs teacher Mr. Kit Turnball after 10 years; and the HOD of Science Mr. Ian Gabites after 30 years of service.
