2015: (Year 56)

  • The 1st March roll was 705 and 1st July 673.
  • The Ministry of Education is reviewing the current Education Act(1989).
  • The MOE advised that both the Special Needs Unit(SNU) and the gymnasium would be replaced with new buildings. S Block would also be significantly upgraded.
  • In October, the MOE advised that the SNU block would be the first priority and the new facility would be built in the B-block carpark.
  • The TSB Community Trust donates $77,000 to the College.
  • On Thursday 23rd April, ex-pupil Graham Chard(Air Force) unveiled the new Roll of Honour board. During the previous 15 years, our historian Mr. Phil Gayton had been compiling a list of ex-spotswoodian students who had served overseas in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Police. 
  • A Parent Consultative Group (PCG) was established to enhance home/school relationships.
  • A review on the form/whanau class system was being undertaken.
  • A new school jacket was introduced.
  • 14th June the PTA Winter Gala raised almost $15,000.
  • Cultural:- The Kapa Haka group competed at the Manu Korero and Paeranatahi  speech and kapa haka festival in Hawera. Matua Clive Tonga-Awhikau is the Kapa Haka tutor and with Komiti Maori is keen to raise the groups profile in 2016.
  • In August we hosted 6 students from Hatsukaichi HS, Hiroshima, Japan.
  • Four Year 9 & 10 students qualified for the New Zealand "Spelling Bee" semi-finals held in Hamilton, with two (Roan Upson & Katie Pullen) qualifying for the finals in Wellington.
  • On 13th August, 21 French and Spanish students made a joint trip to Wellington to participate in Lingofest (an International Language Drama competition).
  • The International Department continued to be successful.
  • "Kai with Soul" Food & Nutrition fortnightly features in the Daily News completed the 8th year.
  • On 23rd September, 9 students and 2 staff left for a study trip to Vietnam.
  • The Year 13 Geography students undertook a field trip to the Bay of Plenty region.
  • Spotswood entered 3 teams in the Taranaki Secondary Schools Mooting regionals. 
  • On Thursday 27th August, at the Taranaki Methanex Mathematics Spectacular our Year 10 team won the Quiz for the second year in a row.
  • Music:- In term 2 Spotswood hosted the Taranaki Orchestra Day for the 10th consecutive year, and the Hatrix Jazz band won a Silver award at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Band Festival. Our band "No Good" won first place overall at the Taranaki Rockquest regionals with the "Garage Girls" winning the Low Down Best Song category. 
  • "Spotty Idol 11" was another amazing night won jointly this year by Josie Hick and Mahana Nathan.
  • Sports teams:-Badminton, Boys' & Girls' Basketball; the Equestrian team finished 1st= at the NISS Show Jumping event; Hockey; Netball; Boys' Rugby; Boys' & Girls' Soccer; and Boys' & Girls' Volleyball.
  • Te Kapotai Tohu (Year 11) represented NZ at the Junior World Boxing Championships in Russia.
  • Our Equestrian Show Jumping team finished 1st= at the North Island Secondary Schools championships held in Cambridge.
  • A team of 11 took part in the annual NZSS Tough Guy & Girl Challenge (a 6km timed mud run) at Rotorua.
  • On Thursday 15th October, Spotswood took part in the national earthquake drill.
  • The $135,000 Netball/Tennis/Basketball Astroturf project undertaken by our Director/HOD Sport Mr. Phil Gayton was nearing completion. Special thanks to the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) and the TSB Community Trust for their financial support.
  • We farewelled Mary-Ann Stretton who had been the Science Technician for almost 20 years; English teacher Miss Emily Scott (an ex-pupil) after 13 years of dedicated service; Special Needs teacher Mr. Kit Turnball after 10 years; and the HOD of Science Mr. Ian Gabites after 30 years of service.