Nau mai haere mai whānau

We must have arguably the most beautiful school site in New Zealand. Driving to school in the morning past the Hagley Park blossoms and daffodils and arriving to school as the sun starts warming the air and the river meanders through the school is very special. Our students can sit and relax by the water, cross the bridge to the serenity of the guidance and counselling area on the island and behind that block is again another stream of the river and a spectacular weir and waterfall. Our site provides an immediate mental wellbeing lift.

Tomorrow we welcome a whole new body of learners to our school when next year’s Year 9 cohort come in for testing. The students are coming into a school with a rich tradition and a sense of family and will be able to tap into this all their lives. We hope that this place becomes their tūrangawaewae, a place where they can stand safely, feel connected and it will always be “theirs”.

Seniors finished school examinations today so I hope they prepared in a way which enabled them to do their best and can take learning from these to focus on for the externals. I encourage you to remind your daughters that examinations are opportunities to give of their best but also do not define their entire lives. Anxiety in young women is an increasing problem and it is important we support our girls to keep life in perspective and build their resilience. There is much more to come in their young lives which will naturally include highs and lows as that is the human condition.

Next week we have an extended assembly on Friday to celebrate all that our young people have done in the last month. There is a phenomenal list of achievements going up on the billboard at the front of the school, plus many other individual achievements in a range of areas – service, culture and sport.

We have senior students who are genuinely committed and active in the climate change movement and who have also submitted at Council. It is important we teach our girls to speak up and out about many issues. Please remember that if your daughter is attending the climate march next Friday you must provide a parent permission letter to the attendance email or in hard copy to the red desk by midday Wednesday for her to be released from school.

I can’t believe I am coming to the end of my first term here! It has been a whirlwind but fun. The Board and PTA are settling on a date for an informal opportunity for parents to meet with us over drinks and nibbles. We will advise that next week as soon as it is confirmed and I look forward to meeting you all.

Ngā mihi nui

Christine O’Neill

Principal
Christchurch Girls' High School - Te Kura o Hine Waiora