My name is Robin Spencer and I have been Deputy Principal at our school for 11 years and was Head of English before that.  I have always had a special interest in the performing arts and have been producer of shows at Te Aroha College like ‘Footrot Flats’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Carousel’. 

For the past ten years it has been a pleasure to have been associated with our stage challenge performances.  It has been an especially proud time working with student directors of our stage challenge productions.  Public speaking and debating have also been huge areas of interest.  Probably my best moment in working with debating was the time when TAC was announced the winner of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Debating Competition. 

The final was held at a beautiful marae in Waitara and TAC debated a school from Dunedin.  What a fantastic moment when we were declared the winner!  The drama talent at TAC has never failed to amaze me. 

There have been many talented actors who have starred in our stage productions and then gone onto success in a variety of jobs.  It is now good to work with Ms Hagan in this area and support what she and senior students are doing for the performing arts.

This year we had a strong group of talented students as our student councils performing arts convenors.  These girls are Claudi Hills, Lisa Oliver and Rebekah Yells.  This year they have been in charge of directing and managing Stage Challenge along with some of their fellow students.  They have also been in charge of the Extravaganza and were part of the Ball Committee.  These talented young girls have done an exceptional job at managing our Performing Arts Department along with their HOD; Ms Adrienne Hagan.