Let’s make Māori language strong.

Staff and students have been practising Te Reo Māori over the month of September and over three quarters of our teachers have committed to learning Te Reo Māori. Our Whaea Aroha has been running ‘Kai and Korero’ to enable staff and students at all levels to engage in the language. She has also been sharing whakatauki with us, not least our school vision: He manu hiringa, he manu ariki, he manu rere ki te rangi - Inspiring young women who are successful learners and act with integrity. Te Reo is a taonga of Aotearoa and one we do need to treasure. It is a goal of the school to increase the learning of Te Reo and Tikanga within our school community for both students and staff.

This is also a week to celebrate New Zealand Sign Language in our schools and I am very pleased to announce that due to the initiative and support of some of our students and staff we are now offering NZ Sign Language as part of our Extension programme. It is an official and unique language of New Zealand and the language of the deaf community. It uses hands, the body, and facial expressions to express meaning and is a great way to communicate ideas. Hopefully, we can extend the teaching of it within our school.

I would like to congratulate all staff and students on how resilient they have been this year in the face of Covid restrictions which have seen many school events cancelled or significantly altered. This has led us to future proof some of our key award and prize giving ceremonies in term four so that at whatever alert level we might be, they can still go ahead. For that reason, the Arts and Sports Prize giving will be held here at school in the Huia Centre on 29 October during the day and our Senior Prize giving will be divided into Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 ceremonies held over 3 days - 3 to 6 November here at school in the Huia Centre. By managing size numbers and keeping to our school bubble we can ensure that the events don’t have to be cancelled at the last minute. Hopefully, we will be in alert level 1 and parents can be in the audience but either way the events will be recorded. There is more detailed information about the changes within this newsletter and parents will be emailed the schedules early in term four.

Senior students have now completed their school exams and are receiving feedback on their progress. Once again, I remind everyone that the parent portal is our main communication tool for learning progress reports and encourage you to be using it regularly. Students will see what needs to be done in preparation for their NCEA examinations beginning 16 November. We have been advised by NZQA that exams will run at alert levels 3,2 or 1 with social distancing spacing ensured if we are at level 3. This year has definitely tested our resilience and ability to adapt to new situations.

We have been able to celebrate our centenary year as a stand alone school for girls, with a Staff and Student Fun Day on Wednesday and our Alumni Day on Thursday (less than 100 guests). I hope you enjoy reading and looking at the photos of our special days within this newsletter as well as the many other achievements and activities our students have been involved in over the past few weeks. I continue to be impressed and proud of our staff and students as they express themselves to the utmost both within and outside the classroom. I truly see our values being displayed: Whakaute, Whakatangata, Whakamana.

I wish you all a relaxing break and look forward to working with you again in term four.

Ngā mihi,

Tracy Walker

Principal