Kia ora koutou, Talofa Lava, Warm Greetings to you all!

Whaia te iti Kahurangi ki te tῡohu koe me he maunga teitei

This is our whakatauki (proverb) at Hillmorton High School and it means: ‘Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.’ The real message here is about aiming high, to be persistent and not letting obstacles stop you from reaching your goal. Personal Best Nothing Less.

During Term 3 we found ourselves yet again in lockdown and for many this was once again a very challenging time. Some of our learners and their whanau had the resources and the motivation to engage with our online programme ‘learn at home’, but for many this was not easy, leading to further inequity within our school community as well as our wider society.

We have had to let some things go and to find other ways to operate. It has meant lost opportunities for many and yet our senior students have found their own ways to lead, to be the wonderful role models they are.

To cope this year, our students have been ‘HERO’s’ – Honest, Empathic, Respectful and Open-Minded. I am incredibly proud of how well our students have achieved over a huge range of areas, both academic, and in the arts and sporting arenas. Our prizegivings highlighted our wonderful students and their achievements. Some of these achievements are highlighted in this publication.

I thank our caring and hardworking staff, our deputy principals, parents and whanau, and our Board. Together we work to create an inclusive culture where everyone can call this place their turangawaewae, a place where everyone belongs and has a ‘place to stand’, where together, ‘with our communities, we nurture well-rounded and accomplished young people, prepared and ready for life.’

I continue to feel privileged to be the principal of this school.

Ngā mihi

Ann Brokenshire
Principal