Taumarunui High School

31/08/2026

30/08/2026

THS Newsletter//August 2026

27/08/2026

Students thoroughly enjoyed the "Kick Me Out" event today as we headed into the long weekend. It provided a valuable opportunity for them to relax, dance, and unwind after a busy and demanding term.
Reminder school is closed tomorrow.

20/08/2026

Deciding when a child is ready for their first smartphone can be a challenging parenting decision. Readiness is not just about age. It also depends on a child’s maturity, self-regulation, judgement and ability to manage the responsibilities of being connected online.

The Smartphone Readiness Quiz is designed for parents and adult carers to complete with their child, encouraging important conversations while exploring the key skills that support safe and responsible smartphone use.

Rather than providing a simple yes or no answer, the results highlight areas of strength and where further development may be helpful. Families are also guided through suggested next steps, including a Family Smartphone Agreement and practical guidance on setting up parental controls before introducing a smartphone.

We encourage you to complete the quiz together and use the results as a starting point for ongoing conversations about safe, responsible and healthy smartphone use.


Here is the link to this topic

10/08/2026

Community Announcement from Kevin Palmer

Kia ora Friends of the school and the wider Taumarunui community,

We have been considering bringing in an external acting-Principal for Taumarunui HS for the remainder of the school year to support the teaching and management team.

The Board and I have now considered and explored that particular option, and we have now recruited & appointed an acting-Principal for the remainder of the school year.

This person is Barbara Cavanagh, who is an experienced Principal. Barbara has previously been Principal at Ngāruawāhia College, Te Awamutu College, Albany Senior College, and Huntly College.

More recently, Barbara has completed a 12-month appointment as the acting-Principal at Mangakōtukutuku College, Hamilton.

Barbara has a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Waikato, she was involved in the early implementation of Te Kotahitanga, and she has also served on the Ministerial Forum on Raising Student Achievement, the MoE Professional Learning & Development Advisory Group, and the NCEA Review Ministerial Advisory Group.

We have contracted Barbara as acting-Principal starting Tuesday August 11th, 2026 through until Wednesday December 16th, 2026 at the end of this school year.

During the time that Barbara will be leading the school as acting-Principal, in addition to the regular duties as Principal, she will be supporting the school through the required review, change and improvement as outlined in the school’s Outcomes Action Plan. Barbara will also be working closely with me as the Limited Statutory Manager, the Board Chair/Presiding Member, other Board members, staff, students and the wider school community throughout this time.

As Limited Statutory Manager (LSM), along with the Board, I will also be initiating a process of recruiting and appointing a new permanent Principal with the intention that this person will begin their role at the start of the 2027 school year.

I’m sure that you will all join me in warmly welcoming Barbara to the Taumarunui HS leadership and staff team as acting-Principal. There will be various opportunities during the Term (starting with Open Day/Evening on Thursday August 13th) for you to meet with Barbara in person and she will also be introduced to the students at a school assembly next week. Should you wish to see Barbara about any individual matter, please make an appointment through the school office.

Nga mihi nui manaakitanga,

Kevin Palmer Kuru Ketu
Limited Statutory Manager Acting-Board Chair
Taumarunui HS Taumarunui HS