At the end of Term 1, the Commissioner, Dr Gabrielle Wall, was delighted to announce that a new Principal had been appointed for Lochiel School.

Narelle Collie, currently at Heddon Bush School, will take up the position at the start of Term 3. Narelle is an experienced senior teacher and will spend 1 day a week at Lochiel this term to prepare her for her first role as a Principal.

Lochiel School page is proudly supported by Wilsons Vege Stall

The community is looking forward to formally welcoming her to the school on the first Monday of the new term.

Our Year 6, 7 and 8 students finished Term 1 by attending a 4 day camp on Stewart Island. Walks, visits to places of interest (including Ulva Island), fishing trips and lots of recreation and wonderful food were enjoyed by all.

The students really appreciated the great group of parents who accompanied them and shared, what was for many, their first visit to the unique environment of the Rakiura.

The unique environment of the Rakiura. Photo: supplied

Students enjoyed the club activities offered to our students during the first term each Friday afternoon. A range of clubs were offered, taken by staff and parent volunteers. These included baking, science, fishing, art, drama, sport, lego and Agrikids.

A number of our students participated in the Winton Agrikids competition at the end of the term and, as always, enjoyed and learned from the event. We started this term with a very popular duck calling and duck shooting dress up day in the first week.

Duck calling competition. Photo: supplied

Thank you to Hunting and Fishing for helping with judging the duck calling and providing prizes. Three of our students represented us at the annual ANZAC parade in Winton and all our students have been studying the Anzac story over the last 2 weeks.

ANZAC morning in Winton. Photo: supplied

We have had a number of students taking the opportunities offered by the REAP extension programme in Winton. We greatly appreciate the courses run through the REAP organisation.

Our classroom environments have been enhanced this term through getting new carpets laid. This has been made possible through the Ministry small and rural schools programme. Our staff, students and community are greatly appreciative of the huge support we enjoy from our wonderful PTA.

Friday school lunches. Photo: supplied

They work hard to raise significant funds and organise events to bring our community together. We enjoyed a “start of term” dinner together on the second Friday of the term. All our students enjoy the lunches provided every Friday.

Through a parent initiated raffle organised to help fund the senior camp, the cost was reduced by $140 for each student attending. Lochiel is a vibrant, busy school and a great place to work and learn in.

We have had a good start to Term 2 and are looking forward to the upcoming cross country events, the Central Cup competition for our senior classes and our participation in the Heart Foundation Jumping June event later in the term.