A huge team effort comes to an end at 8pm tonight with the completion of the Student Achievement Conferences, which will help students choose their options for 2016.

Some 1765 families made appointments to talk with teachers over the past three days. While it is a big event to organise, the reward is worth it in such a high level of engagement from families in being part of the conferences, says Deputy Principal Manaia Laulu.

"Our Whanau tutors build very strong relationships with students and their families. We're all working toward the same goal, which is the best for our students."

Some students had their conferences early, to enable them to head off on one of three international trips departing this week:

• To Australia, for the Trans Tasman Waka Ama Regatta.
• To Samoa, for charity work.
• To Cambodia and Laos, on the Humanitarian Aid Leadership programme.

Those of us staying in New Zealand will enjoy the final two days of term!