I am pleased to be able to be writing to you again after missing the first three weeks of school due to a serious family health situation. I am very grateful to the Board for providing me the leave to do this but I am also acutely aware that I have missed the key start up events which enable me to meet new families and students to the school. I do look forward to doing so on future occasions.

I want to thank Mr Peter Sawyer for undertaking the Principal role for me at such a busy time and the Senior Leadership Team for supporting him in doing that. I am very lucky to know the school is in very capable hands if I am away. I know that we celebrated a very successful Year 9 parent orientation evening and whole school mihi whakatau and that the first week was extremely busy welcoming new staff and all our Year 9 students. I want to also thank Bridget Frame PTA Chair and her fantastic PTA team who set a new tradition with coffee and welcome for Year 9 parents on the first arrival morning and provided catering and support at the Year 9 parent orientation night.

It is always lovely on a hot summer’s night to see several hundred new parents out on the Terrace enjoying getting to know each other. They are entering a five year journey together during which their young people will grow and mature, make friends with each other and face a range of teenage challenges. Many parent friendships are also forged through this time and navigating those challenges, particularly the social context, is so much easier if parents know the parents of friends with whom their daughters are socialising and navigating life.

I also missed the very special assembly where our new student leaders are badged. I want to congratulate those students and parents, wish our leaders all the best for 2023 and I am very much looking forward to working with Bethany Crossan (our Head Student) and her team. It is exciting that we are hopefully facing a year when all aspects of what we regard as normal life can occur and our students have the opportunity to lead and run these activities. I want to remind all Year 13 students that they are leaders whether they wear a formal badge or not and there are many opportunities for all students to show rangatiratanga each and every day.

This week we enjoyed a different Athletics Day model, forced on us by the bus driver shortage. However, we had been contemplating a change for a while in terms of creating a more engaging and intimate sports event, preferably on site or close to us, so this was an opportunity to test the idea. While our elite athletes completed their events at Ngā Puna Wai as we were committed to the booking, the remainder of the school had a House tabloid athletics day on our own site. The atmosphere was festive and engaging and a great day was had by all. The House Spirit was significantly more vibrant on our own site, where everyone could participate in a central arena, surrounded by colourful pergolas and tents. Next year we will look to repeat this but separate the dates for the elite athletes so they can be part of the House day too.

Finally, and most importantly, I know we will all be sending aroha to all those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle in the north and especially those who have lost family members, homes and livelihoods. I am sure we will all be thinking back to the earthquake experience in Christchurch/Ōtautahi and how important community cohesion and resilience was to our recovery. Equally important was the care and support from all around Āotearoa. We know how long the recovery takes and how big the challenge is. We also know it can be done when we support each other.

Ngā mihi nui

Christine O’Neill, Principal