Kia ora koutou, talova lava, mālō e lelei, kia orana, warm greetings

The year has raced by and we are heading into the last week of school with all our farewell events. Acland House has already held their leavers' dinner which was lovely to attend and we hold our school Year 13 leavers' dinner next Tuesday. I look forward to meeting the many Year 13 parents who are attending and celebrating the end of school years with our students.

School end of year traditions and rituals are important transitions in the life journey of young people as they launch into adult life with expectation, enthusiasm and eagerness. There is also natural emotion at leaving behind safe shores and relationships for new and unknown seas.

We hope for our students that they have been and remain part of the wider Girls' High family and stay connected to us in their future lives.

Some of our staff are also leaving and setting out from our shore. We farewell:

• Clare Fowler retires from the English Faculty after significant service in teaching to take up new and exciting ventures.
• Kay McArdle also retires from long service as our Science Technician.

We thank both staff for all they have done for the students here, for their friendship as colleagues and wish them both every happiness in retirement.

• Julia Hodgson and Kate Weir leave from the Physical Education Faculty to permanent appointments respectively at Nayland College Nelson and Baradene College Auckland.
• Yaelle Pochon leaves her role in Languages to take up a permanent position at Garin College Nelson.
• Emily Lavelle has resigned from her Social Sciences position to relocate back to Ireland. We wish her well in her new future there.

We congratulate these staff and wish them well in their new positions.

• Nicole Down completes her position in the Social Sciences Faculty for motherhood in late January.
• Meg Temple finishes in the Guidance Department and is looking forward to family time and Masters degree completion.
• Likewise Hannah Sansom completes a teacher aide position in Learning Support and also leaves to undertake post graduate study.
• Jolene Bowman is on maternity leave next year, Claire McCleary is on leave all year and Suzanne Passchier is on study leave Terms 1 and 2.

Year 13 have been a great group of students and Sophie, Helen and Alice have done a wonderful job of leading them. We wish you happy and fulfilled lives. Follow your dreams, choose your life partners wisely and treasure family.

Next week we also come together for senior and junior prizegiving, farewell Year 13 and celebrate achievement at all levels. In 2020 we will return to the Town Hall as a whole community which is important. We will also include a function afterwards in the Town Hall foyer. Engaging parents informally in the school will be a primary focus next year to increase a sense of belonging (whanaungatanga) and connectedness.

Because next week is so full including the last day with juniors, this will be my last newsletter article for this year. I hope you all have a very restful Christmas break and a happy time with family and friends. Enjoy the time with your daughters and we look forward to seeing you all in 2020.

Ngā mihi nui

Christine O'Neill