2008: (Year 49)

  • The 1st March roll was 1000 and 1st July 963.
  • ERO visited in early-June and presented a generally positive report.
  • The Year 13 Leadership camp was held at Vertical Horizons.
  • In March, the College was saddened by the passing of our HOD-Maori Whaea Karen Wano. 
  • Another busy year for the International Language school with 54 international and 6 exchange students involved. With the departure of Brett Sloan, Mrs. Gloria Holland was appointed as the Director of International students.
  • The Gateway programme continued its popularity. 
  • In Term 1 the first whole school end of term "Achievers Assembly" was held in the gymnasium.
  • In Term 1 55 senior Drama students attended a week long camp in Wellington coinciding with the International Arts Festival.
  • In Term 1 the Year 12 & 13 Economics and Accounting students had a 4-day trip to Wellington.
  • Spotswood again hosted the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare regional Festival and entered 5 teams, with our 15-minute teacher-directed Midsummer Night's Dream team winning. In June they competed at the national finals in Wellington for the second consecutive year.
  • In the July holidays, five Year 13 Sculpture students travelled to Sydney for the 2008 Sydney Bienalle.
  • In August the Year 13 Geography students spent 5 days of research in the Bay of Plenty region.
  • Spotswood won the Taranaki Literary Challenge.
  • Spotswood entered a Mooting team in the prestigious Waikato University School of Law Mooting competition for the first time.
  • The "Kai with Sole" fortnightly Daily News food feature began.
  • Nick Murphy participated in a 10-day Spirit of New Zealand course.
  • Martijn Boeren attended the Global Young Leader's Conference held in Washington DC and New York at the end of term 2.
  • The major production was:- "Footlose".
  • Our 4th Spotty Idol was an outstanding success won by Lavinia Winter.
  • Kapa Haka had a successful year finishing in 4th place at the Pae Rangatahi competition with Toi Ngeru second in the Male leader category and Kotuku Kaiki second in the Female leader category. The group also performing well at the Puanga competition.
  • Toioraroa Ngeru won the junior maori Manukorero regional speech competition. At the national finals Toi was placed 5th.
  • The Hatrix and Concert bands both won Silver Awards at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Music Festival. Spotswood entered 4 bands in the Rockquest regional contest with  "Free Funk on the Freeway"(FFOTF) winning.
  • The YES company was called "No Bull" selling a revolutionary Locking gate hinge system. They attended the National field Days and were a huge success in the Innovation Centre. In October they won the Taranaki regional event and went to Wellington for the national event in November winning a national excellence award.
  • The Year 10 Science won the TSS Science quiz.
  • Sports teams:- Badminton, 3 Boys' & 6 Girls' Basketball; 2 Boys' Cricket; Equestrian; Golf; 1 Boys',1 Girls' and 1 Mixed Hockey; 7 Netball; 4 Boys' & 1 Girls' Sevens Rugby; Skiing; 3 Boys' & 1 Girls' Soccer; Boys' & Girls' Volleyball, Waka Ama and Yachting.
  • On Wednesday 6th August, eight sports teams (5 codes) travelled to Hamilton to compete against Fairfield College for the McFadyen Shield. Spotswood the exchange 6-2 to win then trophy.
  • An organising committee was formed with regards hosting the College's 50th Jubilee at Easter, 2010.
  • After 8 years at Spotswood Deputy Principal Brett Sloan left for a business career while another Deputy Principal Mrs. Sue Baker left to return to Thames.