Kia ora koutou, Malo e leilei, warm greetings to everyone,

With Term one nearly over, I look back over this busy time and note there is a great deal to celebrate:

• Our new Middle School building, Aonga Ake, "feels more like a university than a school".  We are fortunate to have a flexible design and I wish to congratulate our students on their good behaviour and the respect they are exhibiting towards each other, their teachers, themselves and the environment.
• Congratulations to all students who competed in the school athletics and swimming sports and well done to those who went on to compete in the Canterbury Schools athletic championships.
• This year's Polyfest group was simply outstanding, a huge thanks to all of the parents, staff and students involved.  You represented your school with pride and passion.
• A huge thanks to all staff who accompanied our Year 9 students on the recent very successful camps and also to the Year 11 Outdoor Education students for their help on these camps.  Congratulations to the Year 9 students who really took advantage of the opportunity to learn outside the classroom.  Thanks also to the Halswell Lions Club who took school lunches to the camps each day.
• Our new mobile phone rule has been in place all term and we have noticed better engagement in class without the distraction of phones.  Our students are more active at break times, students are now talking to each other and developing important interpersonal skills rather than scrolling mindlessly through social media.  It has been difficult for some to break the addiction to phones, but there is much success.  Our school vision of 'with our communities, we nurture well-rounded and accomplished young people, prepared and ready for life' is well and truly at the forefront of this initiative, well done.
• Students have participated in a range of events this term; robotics, NZ Opera performance and Year 7 went to the Town Hall to see the Canterbury Symphony Orchestra perform Tumahana.
• Thank you for the feedback on Ka Ora Ka Ako, the Healthy School Lunch programme.  Congratulations to those students who have been willing to try new foods.  It is wonderful to know that all students are well fed and not hungry at school.

Finally a few reminders:

• Both smoking and vaping are illegal on school grounds
• We ask students not to ride their bikes or scooters through the school grounds.
• With the winter term approaching please ensure your children have the correct school jacket to wear.  If you need help with this please do not hesitate to contact me admin@hillmorton.school.nz

All the best for the Easter break ahead.

Nga mihi

Ann Brokenshire - Tumuaki, Principal