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Lytton High School
Newsletter · Term 4 2025
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Principal's Message
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As we come to the end of Term 4 and close the chapter on 2025, I want to acknowledge the incredible year our students, staff, and wider community have created together. Well done!
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Across this newsletter you will see the breadth of opportunities our students embraced; from academic competitions and Taiao based learning, to vibrant expressions of culture, enterprise, leadership, and sport. Whether it was our students representing us with pride in Hawai‘i, pushing their boundaries in Kī-o-Rahi, showcasing talent at the Tūranganui Festival, or developing confidence through Gateway placements, each story reflects the same truth. When our young people are supported, challenged, and believed in, they thrive!
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To our teachers, support staff, coaches, and volunteers, thank you for the countless hours invested in planning, guiding, uplifting, and championing our students. Your dedication is woven through every celebration recorded in these pages.
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To our whānau, your trust, presence, and encouragement make a profound difference. Together we continue to build a learning environment grounded in aroha, aspiration, and high expectations.
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As we prepare for 2026, I encourage all whānau to download and use the Lytton High School App. This is a great tool for communication; ensuring you receive up-to-date notices, reminders, attendance information, important dates, and event updates straight to your phone. The more our community uses the app, the stronger and more connected our home school partnership becomes.
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To our young people, we are proud of every effort, every improvement, every act of courage, every goal reached. You bring energy and promise into our kura, and we look forward to seeing how you will continue to grow in 2026.
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As we pause for the summer break, I hope you find time for rest, laughter, connection, and renewal. We return in February ready to launch another year of learning, challenge, and opportunity for all.
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East Coast Maths Competition
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On 20th November 6 students travelled to Lindisfarne College in the Hawkes Bay to compete in the East Coast Maths Competition. This event featured three different rounds - an individual competition, a group competition, and a timed team competition. The team had been training in both Term 3 & 4 in preparation for the competition.
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We didn't quite know what to expect because this was the first time the competition was held in over 10 years. The individual event and no calculators were a surprise and caused a few nerves. Although we didn't place in the top three, we learned a lot and had lots of fun. Congratulations to our team members - we are very proud of how you represented Ritana; Alex Moffat, Ryle Olea, Rhytous Smith, Isla Jacobs, Maddy Honig, and Mika Goldsmith.
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Te Ao Haka Cultural Exchange to Hawai'i
This video captures just a glimpse of our incredible Te Ao Haka Cultural Exchange journey over with our cousins in Hawaiʻi. Over the course of our 11-Day travels, we were blessed to experience so much, from breathtaking sights to deep cultural exchanges, and above all, to meet so many beautiful and welcoming people. A heartfelt thank you to Ho’olai Midday at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, and Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Your manaakitanga, wisdom, and aroha made this journey truly unforgettable.
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Taiao-based Learning
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This term, junior students strengthened their PE learning by exploring the taiao through surfing and ocean-safety sessions. They developed key movement skills such as balance, coordination, and paddling while learning to read surf conditions, identify rips, and make safe decisions in and around the water. The experience encouraged teamwork, communication, and supporting classmates, helping students build confidence and resilience in a new environment. By connecting physical activity with the concept of kaitiakitanga, students also gained a deeper appreciation of caring for the ocean and their community. The programme offered a powerful blend of skill development, safety learning, and connection to place.
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Te Whare Whai Hua - Cooking with Super Grans
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We have been lucky enough to spend Tuesday mornings at SuperGrans this term. Erina has taken our students through a variety of different cooking lessons over the course of the term. Everything from curries, to crispy chicken to chocolate eclairs and cookie jar gift ideas. We have also been supported in a parenting programme through their organisation. Thank you to Erina and her team at SuperGrans for your time and support. We appreciate it!
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Te Whare Taupua - Rongomaiwhiti News
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Kia ora koutou e te whanau
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As a faculty, we celebrate the successes and achievements of our students and have made the most of our final days of 2025.
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All our students have gained successes this year, Stephen Tuhaka has gained 13 Credits in NCEA, Ella Wilkinson, most improved student and Keanu Karere and Vision Kapa a Mangopare Award. Our students' IEP's (Individual Education Plans) provide an opportunity to celebrate progress toward goals. It is an opportunity to share with whanau student achievements both big and small, while also recognising the mahi of our entire team involved in their shared success.
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Te Whare Taupua regularly celebrates the successes and achievements of our students. We come together as a community to acknowledge the learning, growth, and dedication demonstrated across the faculty. These moments not only highlight individual accomplishments but also inspire and motivate all akonga to continue striving for excellence. Kia mate ururoa, koi mate wheke!
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Te Whare Taupua end of year fun days are a time to reflect on the things that matter. Our values AROHA, ASPIRE, AKO and recognising the diverse ways our akonga learn and progress.
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2025 has been a great year - small steps towards big dreams - we have had many successes in Te Whare Taupua. Coming together as a faculty to share events, waiata, kapa haka and activities has been a highlight of 2025.
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Te Whare Taupua proudly celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Tūranganui Māori Cultural Festival by attending once again. This festival provides a valuable opportunity for our tauira to showcase their learning, express their pride in te ao Māori, and uphold the cultural traditions that continue to strengthen our identity as a community. We are absolutely proud of our akonga! Our students were amazing. Many practices to get them to the stage showed in their performance. Thank you to the teachers and support staff for your dedication and awhi for our students with the focus being about whānau. We were so proud to represent Ritana.
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As a faculty, Te Whare Taupua enjoyed a swim and pizza party. Thank you to our HOF Matua Ingram for organising this fun day. It is wonderful to see our students laugh and enjoy their day. These moments of positive engagement are priceless.
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I am so proud of my class Angitu. My amazing students have worked so hard to polish their dance performance appropriately called ‘Get Your Head in the Game'. Seeing how well they adjust to dance routines and instructions is an immense joy for them and for the audience they perform to. I know they will do our kura proud!
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Kia Manawanui senior students celebrated their achievements by fundraising to enjoy a smorgasbord meal at China Palace. This event was a wonderful way to acknowledge and reward their dedication, perseverance, and hard work throughout the year, while also fostering a sense of camaraderie and celebration among the students.
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Whaikaha whānau with diverse learning needs was hosted by Tolaga Bay Area School. What a day this was - A superhero theme was shared with schools from across Tairawhiti. Year 7 - 10 students hosted and organised games, sensory stations, karaoke, drum beats, disco, paint throwing, bouncy castles, giant bubbles, flying fox, bike trail rides and a swim. Snacks were abundant as was the grazing table and I mean grazing all day. It was very difficult to just have one savoury. It was a fun day even when our bus blew a tyre on the way back to Ritana…so much fun!
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‘Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou mō tō manaakitanga me tō aroha’.
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I am very sad to leave my Angitu/Rongomaiwhiti - A place that has taught me to see the world of my students from their perspective. They have made a profound impact on me which I shall carry forever.
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Thank you to my faculty, Heidi, our Principal Mr Elliott, Sue and our amazing office staff for attending my farewell. Thank you Hannah for your very thoughtful taonga. How appropriate to paint a tui bird. I appreciate the very kind korero and the gifts. I am very humbled by the attention. Ka nui taku aroha ki a koutou.
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Kia ora Ritana. Ka kite ano ahau ia koe.
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Spring Market Day
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Our second Business Studies Market Day for 2025 took place on a beautiful spring day at the start of Term 4. Year 12 students returned with improvements to their products and service while this semester's Year 11s impressed with some very popular offerings such as Milkshakes and stuffed "Fyah" bread. Roughly 15% of all profits from both Market Days were donated to the Cancer Society, totalling $205. Roll on 2026 for more displays of hard mahi and great customer service from these budding Rītana entrepreneurs.
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Gateway
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As the year draws to a close, we would like to extend our sincere mihi to the local businesses that have partnered with our school’s Gateway Programme. Through your support, 40 students have successfully gained valuable industry experience in their chosen career pathways beyond secondary schooling. Several of our Gateway students are now pursuing career directions directly shaped by their placement, and many have even secured part-time employment as a result. Your generosity in sharing your time, expertise, and workplaces is the cornerstone of this programme, and it simply could not exist without your commitment.
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To our students who have completed the programme, we commend your hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication. Balancing academic studies with practical work experience is no small task, yet each of you has risen to the challenge with integrity and determination. Your achievements are something to be truly proud of.
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Sports Roundup
Cross Country – What a fun day was had by all. The House colours on full vibrant display, teachers also proudly advocating their backing of their house and several taking their turn on the cross country run.
Added at the finish line was the slippery slide, well enjoyed. We had a somewhat altered course this year for the Cross Country run, due to the housing construction already underway, that contoured part of our Cross Country course and which prevented our normal return. So the adjustment to the course run was from the cattle yards, once there at the yards, the runners ran up the hill along to a point of the hill, before descending down towards the pond, they then followed the fence line back to the cattle yards, before making their journey back to school. The fastest time of the day was recorded by Aiden Norris.
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Emerging as Champions of their respective grades were; Junior Boys: Mahanga Clapperton – Nahu, Junior Girls: Makuini Wyllie, Intermediate Boys: Aiden Norris, Intermediate Girls: Zyanja Rudge, Senior Boys: Jakeb Te Kani Brown, Senior Girls: Symphony Hira. Well done to all those who contributed to the success of this event, and to those who tried and never gave up - cheers. A huge congratulation to the winning house on the day – Ponga. Ka mau te wehi
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Fast 5 Netball – The Fast 5 Social Netball League is designed to bring together youth of various abilities to enjoy with friends what Fast 5 Netball has to offer. Gone is the Wing Defence and the Wing Attack. However, the Goal Shoot can travel over and up to the 2/3rd mark. No netball experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and compliance to the rules. An interesting rule is that just before full time, a minute is provided, whereby, any shot at goal from a particular distance is worth double points. This added fun, defensive rebounds being essential. It was these moments where the lead changed. After the games, various Spot Prizes were on offer for everyone who registered. A major prize was “Odeon Tickets’ and I was there to witness one going to our very own Sophie Harris. Way to go. Well done to Leah Edwards-Slade who made the first move to form a Lytton team, attracting 9 players, to this social league. Congratulations.
Ki o Rahi – The Ritana Ki –o-Rahi team had a challenging but impressive run at the Tairāwhiti Regional Tournament. Despite a tough start on Day 1 – Where they secured 3 wins but fell to the experienced Turanga and Manutuke teams, their commitment and dazzling play were a highlight. Their running, passing and scoring methods were exciting to watch!
On Day 2, the team powered through to secure their position. Finishing 4th overall, Lytton has officially qualified for the 2026 Ki-o-Rahi Nationals! Ka mau te wehi.
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Indebted appreciation, to all those that made it possible for our rangatahi to participate in many sporting activities throughout the rohe and motu. We are sincerely grateful for the various sponsorships that helped ease the monetary worry: Tairawhiti Area and Secondary Schools Principals Association (TASSPA), Bunnings, The Warehouse, Bakery 22, East Coast Hire, Go Bus, The Sauna Project, Yompai, Sweet and Sourdough Co, My Ride Gisborne and Juve Beauty. I would like to acknowledge, Whiti Ora Tairawhiti, Gisborne Basketball Association, Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union, Gisborne Netball Centre, Poverty Bay Hockey, Poverty Bay and East Coast Badminton, ECNI Athletics & Cross Country, Poverty Bay East Coast Indoor Bowls, NZSS Indoor Bowls, LNI Netball and NZ Hockey for delivering sporting events that kept our students safe and active.
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To the Lytton Staff, Lytton Board of Trustees, Coaches, Managers, Student Leadership, Parental support and whānau whānui of the Lytton community of our sportspeople, thank you all for your contribution, influence and impact you have with our teams. Cooking, cleaning, baking, laundry, driving to and fro, picking up, dropping off and umpiring when required etc. I’m sure the experiences gained, the friends found and the memories made will be treasured for years to come.
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I wish you all the ‘magical joy’ that Christmas creates and may happiness flourish for you, in the year ahead.
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Sports Calendar Term 1 2026
13 February - Swimming Fun Day, Kiwa Pools
4 March – Tairāwhiti Secondary Schools Surf Champs
11 March – Lytton High School Athletics
19 March – East Coast North Island Athletics, Hastings
23 – 27 March - Summer Tournament Week, Rotorua
28-29 March – North Island Secondary Schools Athletics, Auckland
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7-10 April - Ki o Rahi Nationals, Wellington
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Gwyneth Cooper - Deputy Principal
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Shayla Matenga - Teacher Aide
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Marie Oberholzer – Teacher Aide
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Stephanie Oliver - Teacher
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Te Ataarangi Te Rito-Niwa – Teacher Aide
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Pare Withington – Teacher
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Farrah Murphy - Science / Food Technician
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Upcoming Events
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10 December - Final day of 2025
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27 - 30 January - Uniform Shop
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2 February - Beginning of 2026 school year Year 9 students
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6 February - Waitangi Day
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10 February - Board of Trustees Meeting
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17 - 19 February - Year 9 Camp
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14 - 15 March - Relay 4 Life
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16 - 18 March - Prefect Camp
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31 March - Board of Trustees Meeting
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2 April - Final day of Term 1
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15 - 26 April - Osaka Japan Visit
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