Tēnā koutou katoa parents, caregivers and whānau

Today we had the excitement of a New Zealand Defence Force helicopter landing on the school field as part of our careers programme. Giving our students opportunities to explore potential career paths is a key part of their school journey and we are grateful to our Head of Careers, Larisa Thatcher for organising events like this.  A huge thank you to our ex-student, Lieutenant Sarah McWilliam, Commander of the Navy helicopter. Sarah initiated the opportunity to bring the helicopter to Christchurch. She also shared interesting experiences with some of our students about her career and I was impressed with the questions our students asked in response.

This week we celebrated academic excellence at our Academic assembly, a wonderful opportunity to inspire students to achieve their personal best. Congratulations to all our award recipients. The assembly was an opportunity to celebrate the hard work all of our students put into their studies, often without the honour of an award.

We acknowledge that to succeed at this high level not only requires high quality teaching but a real curiosity to learn, serious commitment and significant hard work. I encourage all of our students to create their own journey towards fulfilling their potential, and towards achieving their own excellence. Students have to decide what that looks like for them personally. There are so many ways to achieve goals and they need to determine their own path. That pathway may not be straight or even flat and no doubt there will be ups and downs and road blocks along the way. It will require determination, perseverance and a desire to succeed.

Ex-student and a previous recipient of a Bickerton-Widdowson Scholarship, Jess Cotton was our guest speaker at the assembly. Jess graduated from Christchurch Girls' High School/ Te Kura o Hine Waiora in 2020 and is studying engineering at the University of Canterbury. She shared some of her experiences that have led to her achievements, and finished with some wise words of advice.

Step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there

Make bold decisions and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way

Don’t be scared of the big life decisions

And keep up with your hard work, do not give up

I encourage all of our students to seize opportunities. You never know where they can lead to.

Wishing you all the best for the weekend.

Ngā mihi nui

Helen Armstrong

Principal/ Tumuaki