BYOD was rolled out across the whole school. The IT department had 500 devices available to be loaned out during the day to students.
The Music department moved into A Block extension(A14,15,16) and the IT department moved into the Music suite.
The Minister of Education set-up a Taskforce to review "Tomorrows Schools" that came into effect in 1989. The Chairperson was Mr. Bali Haque a former teacher and Deputy Principal at Spotswood.
On 13th November, the Government announced the biggest overhaul of the education system in 30 years, dramatically reducing the amount of independent power schools have to govern (i.e:enrolment zones and school property).
With a $683m boost given to Education in the 2019 budget, the "voluntary donations" that parents pay will be scrapped as from 2020. Decile 1-7 schools would have the option of signing-up for the scheme that would see the government pay $150 per pupil.By the 14th November deadline 1563 schools had signed on.
On 19th November, the Ministry of Education wrote to the BOT apologizing for the delays experienced through the building of the replacement gymnasium. It should be available in early-2020.
On 1st December, the government announced a $396m funding grant to schools to improve school property. Spotswood College will receive the maximum grant of $400,000.00.
Nationwide Teacher Strikes took place in Terms 1 & 2 before a pay settlement was achieved in mid-June.
In September, the Daily News announces that the "Kai with Soul" cooking series will cease after 11 years.
16 new International students started in February, and took part in the Multi Ethnic Extravaganza in March.
In March Spotswood hosted a delegation of 15 students from Kyotango, Kyoto, Japan, then in Augusthosted 10 students and staff from Hatsuchaiki HS our sister school in Japan; and students from Dongguan HS in China.
In April/May we hosted 2 teachers and 7 students from La Sagrada Familla, a school in Valencia, Spain.
After 27 years of service, the Director of International Studies Mrs. Gloria Holland retired at the end of Term 1. Her replacement was Ms Nicola Healey.
Our 15-minute teacher directed rendition of "Romeo & Juliet" won the Taranaki regionals of the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival and went on to compete at the national finals in Wellington in June.
One of our 3 mooting teams won the Taranaki regional competition of the Waikato University Faculty of Law competition and went to Hamilton to compete in the semi-finals.
On Friday 23rd August, a team of 20 took part in the annual NZSS Tough Guy & Girl Challenge (a 6km timed mud run) at Lakes Ranch, Rotorua.
In September, 3 staff visited Melbourne to seek information on setting up a STARS (Spotswood Talented, Academic, Recreational Sports) programme in 2020.
"Spotty Idol 15" was another amazing night won this year by Michael Gibbon (Year 12).
After feedback on the uniform, a new uniform was announced in late-September. It will be compulsory for all Year 9 students from 2020.
The Music Department held a Showcase & Fundraiser on Friday 25th October.
In November, the Deputy Principal Martyn Knapton resigned to take up the position of Principal of Whakatane HS in 2020.
