Congratulations, you have completed your time at CGHS!

Over the past few months I have heard snippets of different plans and opportunities that are coming into sight for you all. Many of you will be heading to uni, some are having a gap year and some are entering the workforce.

I am so excited for you all and huge congratulations on whatever you are choosing to do.

If we, as a school, have done our job correctly then you have all the tools you need to make the decisions that are right for you.

I would like to acknowledge Mrs. Officer who worked tirelessly as your Dean from year 9 to 11. I inherited a pretty spirited but on the whole well-behaved bunch who have done an excellent job of leading the school this year with a sense of fun, inclusion and compassion. The word 'sisterhood' springs to mind.

You have set the tone and left a positive footprint for others to follow in.

It has been my privilege to get to know many of you over the past 2 years and many I had already met in the English classroom. I have got to know some of you better than others, but I hope you have felt cared for even if it has been from afar.

On reflection I have huge admiration for the resilience, maturity and kindness I have witnessed from you collectively over your time here at CGHS. You have fulfilled your role as leaders admirably from your enthusiastic house spirit, to leading an excellent lip sync, to raising environmental awareness and looking after our younger students through peer support as well as phenomenal sports leadership. And I would like to add that Sophie, Alice and Helen have been fantastic at the helm. Thank you so much for all your contributions to school life. We appreciate it.

In light of the horrific attack our city witnessed this year, you displayed compassion and strength. From the prefects that sung to the grieving families, the paper chains made in solidarity with our muslim whanau, to the kindness I have witnessed around the school. Thank you for your love.

On a personal note, I too have been at CGHS for the same 5 years as you. Starting off with some of you in my Year 9 form class (9MCC) and then a Year 10 form class the following year. It has been wonderful to watch you grow into confident young women. My journey here, has been parallel to your journey and I will remember these years fondly.

Now it is time to take your skills, creativity and empathy out into the world. I truly believe that it is your generation that will bring huge positive change both in relation to the environment and in terms of human rights and equality.

So – I just have a short list of tips to send you off with:

1, Try to view life with a ‘glass half full’ mentality. Being positive often makes life’s challenges easier to handle.

2, Grasp the opportunities that come your way with self-belief and courage. Even if something is daunting, trust that you are capable.

And finally

5, Cherish the friendships you have made here and nurture them. As you get older there is nothing more stabilising than having loyal friends with shared memories

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Good luck in your upcoming exams, look after yourselves and please stay in touch.

Claire McCleary