This time of year is one of the most enjoyable, as we celebrate the wonderful achievements of our Queen’s students. Last week was our Sport and Cultural Awards evening and every year I continue to be impressed by the range of activities students are involved in and of their level of success. 

Congratulations to Neve Darlington, as Best All Round Senior Sportswoman, and Maia Scott and Renee Geddes, as joint winners of the Best All Round Junior Sportswoman. Congratulations also to Martha McAuley and Jorja Gibbons who gained the highest award for cultural and sporting achievement respectively.

We were delighted to present, for the first time, a Silver award, to any student who has been both selected for and represented a New Zealand team at an International event.

Five students received this award: Elise Carline (Basketball), Jazz Evangelou (Ice Figure Skating), Saige Evans (Aerobics), Jorja Gibbons (Athletics) and Hannah Pearce (Gymnastics).  My congratulations for your outstanding achievements.

I wish to thank Ana Teofilo, our guest speaker, for sharing her journey since leaving Queen's and for the work she has been involved in with our Pasifika students.  I also wish to thank her for the most beautiful piece of her artwork that she has donated to Queen's. It is hanging by student office for all of us to enjoy each and every day.

There are many events and activities happening before the end of the year and I ask you to read carefully the upcoming events section. Senior Prizegiving is next Tuesday, Junior Examination and Assessment week is the following week and information about both of these events has been emailed out to all.

To the leavers of 2023: thank you for your input, enthusiasm, academic endeavours, leadership, service to the community, cultural activities and the mana that you have given to Queen’s. I wish you the very best of what life has to offer.  You are empowered young women and I leave you with the words of Queen’s High Schools first Principal, Miss Jean Ballard -

“Those who mention her will pay tribute to her worth and then, more likely than not, somebody will say of you - She came from Queen’s.”

Ngā mihi

Barbara Agnew

Tumuaki/Principal