To our leavers, this whakatauki captures my thoughts as you leave Hagley, Te Puna Wai O Waipapa...

Kia hoki atu te waewae,

Kia hoki mai te whakairo

Kia whakatōmuri

Te haere whakamua.

As you leave this place, let your thoughts and memories return – walk into your future with your eyes fixed on the past.

You have been part of a unique secondary school in New Zealand. Be proud to have been here, and be proud to speak well and to think well of our place.

To those of you returning to Hagley, I look forward to seeing you at our place next year. We have exciting times ahead. In 2017, I want you to make the most of the amazing choices and opportunities that you have at Hagley. They are unrivaled elsewhere.

I wish you all a restful break and a positive start to 2017.

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou

Mike Fowler