Kia ora and welcome to the final edition of Oceanside for 2024.

While we have had many outstanding moments across the school this year, with individual students, teams and groups achieving amazing things, most recently our Graduation showcased the sheer collective force of our student community. In 2024, over $600,000 worth of university and community scholarships were awarded to our Year 13 (7th Form) cohort. This is a testament to the work students, teachers and families have put in across all of the student’s school years, going right back to their primary school time and earlier. It reinforces what a great community we are.

That said, we have included a list of our top award winners for 2024 as well as our usual high achievers section. We have featured a couple more past pupils from different eras as well. Please let us know if there are any past students out there doing awesome things that we don’t know about. We remain perpetually proud of our students and love to hear what they get up to.

Starting this summer three new two-storey blocks are being built on the existing carpark at the eastern end of the school. These new blocks will house science, mathematics and computing and total 32 new teaching spaces, constituting the single largest capital investment in the history of Mount Maunganui College. The buildings and will transform the look and feel of our entire site.

Many past pupils from the 90’s will remember the open space at the eastern end of the school as a place where legends of ‘touch’ rugby were born. In spite of our unprecedented growth over the past 7 years, the college remains committed to protecting the open expanses we are lucky to have as well a providing contemporary, fit for purpose teaching and learning spaces. Our dearly loved Nelson Block (F Block) is going to be refurbished over that time also. This refurbishment will significantly lengthen the life of the building and is only about 20 years overdue…

For the past 5 years, our wonderful Head of Music, Tia Beaufort, has supported our students in writing and recording original songs and making a school album. Without any bias, there are some awesome songs and something for everyone on these albums. The 2024 album was recorded live at Studio 11b and produced by past student and current parent Nathan Sowter. It was filmed and directed by Year 13 student Luke Williams, and the entire team mentored by L.A.B. frontman and Mount Maunganui College alumnus Joel Shadbolt. Check out the live album on YouTube here, the Spotify version here, and our entire discography here.

Lastly, thanks for adding your details to our alumni database and taking the time to read Oceanside. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoy putting them together.

Have a great summer.

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DUANE MOYLE and DARCELL APELU

Past pupils Duane Moyle (1994) and Darcell Apelu (2008) feature on this fascinating podcast discussing their unique stories through their artistic careers. Both Duane and Darcell have had a huge influence on the local and national arts scene over the years. The episode Artistry in Action: Stories of Stability, Flexibility and Entrepreneurship is from the Around The Table podcast. It provides a unique insight into the challenges and rewards that come from following your passions.

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CARTER HOPOI

Congratulations to Carter Hopoi (2024) on debuting for the New Zealand Tall Blacks. We believe this remarkable achievement makes Carter the first Mount Maunganui College Tall Black (let us know if we have that wrong!) and part of a select number of students who represented their country at the highest level while still in high school. We look forward to following Carter’s progress as he navigates the elite basketball system.

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Staff Farewells

This year, we are farewelling four long-serving staff members.

Brendon-Ray Horlock (2008 - 2024) who leaves us for a position at Trident in Whakatane. Brendon-Ray was Deputy Principal/Kaitiaki from 2014 through to 2024 and alongside his leadership responsibilities, is well known for his contribution to our volleyball programme.

After a long career and 22 years of service to Mount Maunganui College, Lynda Whiting is retiring. Lynda was a stalwart of our English department and helped found our successful Psychology courses.

Jocelyn Shadbolt is also retiring after 28 years at the college. Over the years, Jocelyn has been heavily involved throughout our school, particularly in her impressive contribution to our Employment Development Programme.

Finally, Michelle Ballard is ‘Graduating’ (she shuns the word retirement). Since starting her journey with us in 1987, Michelle has left an indelible mark on our school. Her contributions as a chemistry teacher, a leader of the Design Learning Programme, a dean, and a specialist classroom teacher and her innovative work in curriculum development are significant. As Deputy Principal for the past 14 years, her role has been pivotal, guiding our school with wisdom, strength, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

DUANE MOYLE and DARCELL APELU

JAZZY PHOENIX

OLIVE WATHERSTON

CARTER HOPOI

TOP AWARD WINNERS 2024

Staff Farewells

FROM THE ARCHIVES