Kia ora tatou
As the term draws to a close we can reflect with satisfaction that, despite a change in Covid alert levels part way through the term, and unlike students in Auckland, learning at school has been available for all throughout the term. Through fortunate timing, some key events were able to take place in the first part of the term, such as the Year 13 Formal and the annual tradition of Quad Tournament. Through nimble response and planning those events planned since the shift to Alert Level 2 have mostly been able to take place, albeit in a changed format. While we missed the opportunity to connect with families in the subject selection process in the evenings we had planned, we were able to provide an in-school experience for students to hear from tertiary providers and for students to talk to staff about different subject offerings for 2021.
As well as the essential focus on teaching, learning and assessment as girls progress through their year’s academic programmes, we have enjoyed some special activities, distractions and entertainment provided by the various student councils. You will see those activities reflected in the pages of this edition of the Tatler.
Arts Week activities allowed us to celebrate the creative talents of our students, and that culminated in our Arts assembly where singing, dancing, visual arts and dramatic talents were on display. Due to Covid restrictions we were not all able to assemble in the theatres to be a physical part of the assembly, so many viewed the assembly via live streaming to their ako class. We are fortunate to have the IT capability of our new school to enable such a solution.
Māori Language Week saw a strong reo presence across the campus, from waiata broadcast at bell times to displays in the foyer, activities for students at ako time, to kapahaka performances by both schools to a joint audience in the foyer at lunchtimes and culminating in a hangi and sharing of kai for students from both schools in the cultural courtyard on Friday. It was a realisation of the real opportunities that co-location provides and was enjoyed by all who participated.
Our final week of term features Gala Day lunchtime events on Wednesday 23 September where all the student councils have a presence and provide activities and events for student participation. We suspend lessons for the final period of the term to come together for the tradition of the House Lip Synch competition. The groups from each Pou have been practising hard and it all points to a fiercely competitive event for those critical House points to end the term.
After a late start to the season, our winter sports teams wrap up their competition this week, with some featuring in finals events. It has been an unusual season, with loss of tournaments and restrictions on spectators, yet our girls have persevered, practised and competed fairly, experiencing significant success. I am very grateful to the hard work of the coaches and the support of families as we have navigated the challenges and ended up with very pleasing outcomes.
I am in no doubt that the approaching holidays are not only looked forward to by students and staff, they in fact are essential to provide some balance and down time to regroup for the demands of term 4.
I wish all students staff and whanau well for the term break and look forward to all the term 4 will bring.
Arohanui
Sue Hume
Principal