Term 3 at Mountainview High School
Tenā koutou e te whānau,
It is a privilege to write to you as the new Principal of Mountainview High School. It has been a very busy three weeks getting to know our staff, students, and whānau.
The warmth of the Timaru community has been truly humbling. I have had so many great conversations with parents, community leaders, and students -from chats at sporting events, to walking my dog, and even a conversation outside the cinema after watching Spider-Man. You have made me feel deeply welcomed.
A highlight of my move from Wellington was attending a wānanga at Arowhenua marae in July. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Kāi Tahu, specifically Kāti Huirapa, for their generous hospitality, wisdom, and guidance. The learnings from this experience reinforced the profound responsibility we have in guiding our rangatahi.
Standing on our school grounds, I am constantly struck by the spectacular surroundings. The mountainous backdrop and extensive vista mirror the strength and beauty of our school community, aptly captured in the names of our three whānau: Hiwi, Moana, and Whenua. Just as our values speak to Te Awa—the braided river where individual strands weave together to form a powerful whole-our whānau embodies this rich landscape. Together, we are stronger, grounded, and driven toward a shared purpose.
My Guiding Beliefs
As I settle in, I remain guided by three core philosophies:
Learning matters and everyone deserves respect: I will fiercely protect your child’s right to learn in a safe, focused environment.
Curiosity drives growth: All learners deserve to be stretched. Real character is built when we step into the unfamiliar and strive for excellence.
Seeing the individual while holding high expectations: I care deeply about our students. Because I care, I hold clear, unwavering boundaries.
I do not ask our students to be perfect, but I do expect them to give their best every day-to wear their uniform with pride, be ready to learn, and display manaakitanga (kindness and respect). Clear expectations create the safety required for every student to thrive.
These past weeks have shown me students who want to learn, passionate staff, and impressive role modelling. While Mountainview offers a wonderfully inclusive environment where learners can express themselves, we are also a school of high expectations driven for success.
To be our best, we must work as one-alongside our local iwi, parents, whānau, students, staff, primary schools, and alumni. I look forward to partnering with you all to ensure our young people leave Mountainview proud of their academic growth and the character they have built.
Nāku noa, nā,
Rebecca Rhodes
Principal
Mountainview High School