Term 1 is always a busy term at the College and the start of 2026 has been no exception.

The first big event of the year was the Academic Honours Assembly, for students who achieved to a very high standard in 2025. We had 31 students Academic Honours at the end of 2025.

Ray White Te Anau, Shanelle Scott, proud sponsor of Fiordland College

The criteria for gaining Fiordland College Academic Honours is:

Year 11 - 18 Overall module grades at Merit/Excellence

Level 2 – Pre-requisite 60 Merit or Excellence NQF Credits

Level 3 – Pre-requisite 60 Merit or Excellence NQF Credits

First up in a long line of events was the Athletics Champs. The students displayed incredible school spirit, fuelling a spirited yet friendly rivalry as they competed for House Points.

Fiordland College Athletics. Photo: Supplied

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We hosted a Careers Expo for all students, which had 17 exhibitors from a wide array of institutions and companies.

Careers Expo for Students. Photo: Supplied

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These exhibitors shared their knowledge and insight, which will help guide students on their path towards finding their career.

Careers Expo. Photo: Supplied

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Then we had the Swimming Champs which produced a record-breaking time for Grace Perry in the Senior Girls’ 25m Butterfly Event with a time of 15.88. Grace broke the record set by Naaketta Scully (16.38) in 2005.

Swimming Champs. Photo: Supplied

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Congratulations to Grace and also well done to Naaketta for holding a record for such a long time – 21 years!

Congratulations to Grace Perry. Photo: Supplied

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Coming up in the first week of March is our Autumn Co-Curricular Week. These programmes involve year levels participating in school-based activities, water skills, tramping, camping, biking, kayaking and climbing to name but a few.

Co-Curricular Week is a great time for students to excel in areas they are passionate about and spend a week learning outside of the classroom.

Some of the other events over the rest of Term 1 include the:

Southland Tennis Champs, Northern Athletics, Team Triathlon, Year 12 History Trip, Unserious Careers Roadshow, Southland Athletics, Whanau Evenings for Years 7-10 and Years 11-13, Mountain Bike Champs, Year 12/13 Geography trip, Individual Triathlon, South Island Mountain Bike Champs, Northern Swimming, Southland/Otago Adventure Race and the Cross Country Champs.

Careers Expo with a wide array of institutions. Photo: Supplied

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All that while still having a full daily curriculum being taught!