Kia ora koutou, As-Salām Alaykum, Talofa lava, Bula Vinaka, Kia orana, Mālō e lelei, Ni Hao, Konnichiwa, Hallo, Hola, Warm greetings to all people from all parts of the Globe.

This week we welcomed Meng Foon, Race Relations Commissioner for New Zealand and Mahdis Azarmandi, Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury. Meng and Mahdis ran a series of workshops and spoke at our assembly. They spoke about the importance of good culture in our school and the need to open conversations around diversity and inclusion and to work proactively against racism in our society. This was an important day for Otago Girls’ High School and formally signals our journey towards a better future and better understanding for all students at this school.

We have progressed work on our Strategy for Diversity and Inclusion, an ambitious plan for improving understanding and engagement around Race Relations in our school. I acknowledge in particular the work of the Amnesty International Group, the School Council, Kahui Kōrero - the Māori Student Council, the Former Refugee Cluster, The Wellbeing Team and junior Social Studies classes for their engagement in making Otago Girls’ High School a safe and inclusive space for every student in our school community. In the words from Ruby Jones’ artwork gifted to our school by ex-pupil Eman Ghandour and other ex-students, You All Belong Here.

Last night was our wonderful Sports Blues celebration. My first year as Principal of this school has been enriched by the amazing sports performances at this school. Every live game, online streamed sporting event and Facebook post makes me proud to be part of the great team game that is Otago Girls’ High School.

Sport plays an incredible role in developing physical, mental fitness and social skills. In a world increasingly dominated by devices and phones, it is more important than ever to disengage, focus, persevere and endure. Getting puffed, breathing deeply, having fresh air and being able to function well are important and vital parts of sport and life. Being engaged in school activities, managing self, filling in the spaces while training, waiting around, setting goals and reflecting together and simply laughing together are skills to take with us throughout employment and life.

Finally this year I was privileged to attend tournaments in Tournament Week. In Christchurch at Hockey, Timaru at Netball and Dunedin at Football, I was reminded of all the great reasons that schools play sport against and with each other. It was an absolute joy to witness tournaments after a two year break due to Covid. Well done to the students who have all returned enthusiastically to Sport as we emerge from the pandemic, exemplifying the school value of Positivity.

I will close with the words of Sydney Leroux, US Football star (apt as we head towards the Women’s Football World Cup here in our own city in July 2023): “I worked on my weaknesses and made them my strengths.”