This year we introduced a Y8 noho in the hope of alleviating the expected nerves when students arrive at Hostel for the very first time… and what a wonderful weekend we had!

On Friday afternoon, the 2025 Year 9 boarding students arrived with their families, filled with excitement and nerves. After saying their goodbyes, we shared a quick afternoon tea and divided the girls into their teams for the weekend’s activities. Senior students led a few icebreaker games, including a scavenger hunt around the hostel (indoors, due to the weather) and some get-to-know-you games. After everyone freshened up, we enjoyed a shared dinner, and then the girls began preparing their skits, which they would perform later that evening. We were fortunate to have Matua Paul Harmer join us to teach the girls a few beautiful Māori waiata. It was such a special moment to hear the singing echo through the walls of Sonnz, bringing the space to life. The girls then settled in for a cosy movie night with She’s the Man, complete with a load of tasty movie snacks and a short intermission for the skits. As the evening wrapped up, the girls handed in their phones for the night, giving them a glimpse of hostel life (it was late, so we think this wasn’t such a big deal LOL).

Saturday morning began with a delicious breakfast, offering both hot and cold options to fuel the girls for a busy day ahead. After breakfast, the girls packed up their dorms and quickly got into their teams for the day’s activities. We decided to keep things close to the hostel and organised some fun quizzes and a water balloon volleyball game, where the girls worked together to fill balloons and complete challenges. Afterwards, the girls enjoyed some time in the pool, making the most of the beautiful weather. Before families arrived to pick them up, the girls spent a few quiet moments reflecting in their journals. We then gathered for a lovely lunch, where we announced the winning Yellow Team. Mrs. Solomon and Head Girl Kaytlen Tamatea shared their final messages, with the girls singing their learned waiata to tautoko their kōrero, making it a truly memorable moment. It was special seeing the girls connect with one another and leave the hostel now knowing at least one other person. A big thank you to the Year 12 students who stayed in to help lead the weekend, hostel staff, the catering team, whānau and our new Y8s, for making this experience so special. We  look forward to welcoming all our new boarding students and their whānau in 2025.