Dunstan High School (DHS) principal Reece Goldsmith said the return to school has been great with continuity and a ‘business as usual’ mindset for the school community. 

“W​​e have had a lot of new students and their families arrive from out of the region and out of the country and the feedback as to how they are settling in has been really positive.

“We were really pleased with a lot of our NCEA results with a few areas to work on. At a glance, at NCEA level one we had a provisional pass rate of 86 per cent compared to the provisional national average of 60.

“Level two [was] 84 per cent compared to 73 per cent nationally. [For] level three [it was] 76 per cent compared to 66 per cent nationally and University Entrance 45 per cent compared to the national average of 47.” 

Reece said ensuring every student feels settled, safe and secure is the top priority in term one.

“From there, ensuring all our students are engaged in relevant learning at their point of challenge - which looks different for each student is what we aspire to achieve.”

The school roll for 2024 is 599, an increase of 20 on last year, and one of the highest since the Clyde Dam was built in the early 1990s.

Students getting to know each other during the first days back at school. PHOTO: Supplied

Reece said new teachers were Nigel Wilson (Science) and wife Rebecca Wilson (Maths) who were previously at Fiordland College, Te Anau. 

Other new permanent teachers are Tyler Watson (Maths) from Rangi Ruru Girls' High School, Christchurch and Jess Probert (English) from Howick College, Auckland.

In April Austin Massamhiri (Maths) will take up his role, he is currently teaching in Eswatini, Southern Africa.

Reece is ending his tenure mid year, with an interim principal planned to be in place prior to the appointment of his replacement.

The appointment timeline aims to see the new principal appointed around mid-April, with a start date to be confirmed. 

DHS students perform a haka to tautoko (support) the speaker's messages at the mihi. PHOTO: Supplied

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