Kia ora koutou,

It is hard to believe we are here at the last newsletter article for the Class of 2024. The last few weeks have felt very mixed for the year group - there is lots of excitement in the air but there is also a sense of pressure as we still have the final assessments and events to get through. These last moments will be so important to embrace. Whilst it can feel like there is far more to achieve than we have time, things will get done and these last days in and out of the classroom will hopefully provide some long lasting memories for you all.

The cohort have continued to see success recently with students remaining active in sport, theatre, dance, music, leadership and service. Winter tournament week at the end of Term 3 was a wonderful chance for our seniors to enjoy one final trip away with their team, and I have heard lots of positive feedback from the way many students conducted themselves over that week. We also awarded our final COVE awards. Congratulations to Ruby Roy and Sofia Strange. Both Ruby and Sofia have been dedicated, valued members of the cohort and they were recognised for their involvement, service and diligent approach to learning. Congratulations to you both!

Towards the end of Term 3 we once again enjoyed the senior formal at the Wigram Airforce Museum. It was a great night filled with fun and fairy lights, and I was again impressed with the maturity of our students and how they embraced the evening. Thank you to the Year 13 students who were part of the formal committee and helped to plan this huge event - Liv Bayne, Ella Clarke, Jasmine Cox, Jade Hart-Hobman, Abby Laird, Meg Macdonald, Amelia O’Connell-Gerard, Zoe Rogers, Anthony Sequeira Luz, Sofia Strange, Hugh Thompson and Chris Watson. We were lucky to have a special guest make an appearance, too! I know that many students and staff enjoyed catching up with Ms Margaux Hlavac and it was wonderful that she could join us for the night.

As the year draws to a close, there are a final few thoughts I would like to leave you with. Firstly, keep going! There are still those all-important exams to come and as hard as it may seem to continue at the moment, in a few weeks it will all be over, so I really hope you can find some extra motivation to help propel you through your final days. Secondly, thank you to all of the parents, caregivers and wider whānau for your support. This extremely formative time really is a partnership between school and family, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do here at school without this continued support. Finally, to the students - thank you! Being your Head of School has been incredibly rewarding and I have loved working with you all for the last two years. I wish you all the best for a safe, happy and fulfilled future!

Kua tawhiti kē tō haerenga mai kia kore e haere tonu. He nui rawa ō mahi kia kore e mahi tonu.

You have come too far not to go further; you have done too much not to do more.

Ngā mihi,

Victoria Minehan

Year 13 Head of School 2024