Tena Koutou Katoa

Ko Maunga Taranaki te maunga

Ko Matanehunehu te awa iti

Ko Moffitt toku whanau

Ko Kathryn toku ingoa

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

E mihi ana ki Maunga Taranaki, te awa Hangatahua, ki te hapū Ngā Mahanga. Tēnā tatou katoa. 

(I acknowledge Maunga Taranaki, the Hangatahua Stony River, the hapū Ngā Mahanga, Tēnā koutou katoa)

I’m Kathryn Moffitt, presiding member of the Board of Trustees. 

Today I stand on behalf of the Coastal Taranaki School Board, Staff, students and community, alongside Ngā Mahanga hapū, to welcome very special guests.

To Sonia and your whānau, we warmly welcome you back. Sonia, as the new Tumuaki/ Principal of Coastal Taranaki School you bring education, leadership and experience. From your beginnings as head girl at Okato College, you’ve returned, bringing back your skills and experience to our tamariki and Coastal community. Thank you for remembering where you came from. 

To Sonia’s whānau and her supporters we are so grateful for you joining us here, marking this day as we formally and warmly welcome Sonia into our space. We are excited for relationships to grow, flourish and thrive.

And of course to our school whanau and community. Thank you all for taking the time to be here. To either be joining your children as they start here or to be standing here helping us welcome and introduce new members. 

Thank you to Sarah, Liana and Gemma for helping the Board organise today. It was a special event, signalling a strong successful next chapter for our kura. 

Thank you to the community and local groups who have kindly allowed us to use their marquees for shelter and speakers so everyone can hear. Thank you to Ngā Mahanga hapu for your help and guidance.

We encourage everyone to stay for a bite to eat and mingle if you are able. 

Thank you again to everyone here. 

Tena koutou tena koutou tena tatou katoa

Kathryn Moffitt