On Wednesday this week members of our school community suffered a road accident at the corner of Tennyson and Smith Streets. Thankfully there were no major injuries and we wish all involved a speedy recovery.

The accident has once again highlighted the dangers being faced by students and families at the end of the school day. It seems that the problem has been made worse by the current Octagon closure but the main cause is the congestion created by parents picking their children up outside the school gates at the end of the school day. This congestion, and the inherent danger that results, is very short lived. By 3.35pm, merely 15 minutes after the end of the school day, the area outside the school is virtually deserted. Can I please urge you to avoid arriving at school immediately at the end of the school day and, where possible, to arrange alternative places to pick up your daughter. The girls are perfectly safe waiting at school another 10 or 15 minutes and would all benefit from walking to meet you on one of the surrounding streets. I am in discussions with New Zealand Police and the DCC about this situation and would appreciate your support in keeping your own and others’ daughters safe.

Thank you to all the families who have helped out at the working bees we have held at our Classroom by the Sea. The official opening will be held on Thursday 12 March at 4pm. If you would like to attend, please contact the school office.

Today is our annual Athletic Sports event. Students have been preparing for the house competitions associated with this event and I am looking forward to the fun and competition ahead.

It was great to meet so many parents at our Year 9 Meet the Teachers evening on Monday. Your support of your daughter and the school is much appreciated. We also had a wonderful turnout for the Pasifika fono on Wednesday night and the Whanau Hui last week. At both events senior students presented families with highlights of their academic, sporting, cultural and leadership achievements in 2019 and outlined the goals they are working towards this year. The maturity and confidence demonstrated by the girls presenting was the source of much pride for staff and families alike. They are also excellent role models to the younger students.

Last week I reported that we achieved 14 NCEA scholarships. Unfortunately NZQA reported one incorrect result to us meaning that there were actually 13 scholarships. This was still very pleasing and we were delighted to welcome some of these students back to school earlier this week to talk to Year 12 and 13 students about how they succeeded.

Hopefully students have settled into the routines of school for the year by now. If you do have any concerns with how your daughter is settling in or with her progress please feel free to contact us to speak to her Head of House or the Guidance Counsellor. Addressing any issues early can save a lot of problems later.