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Photo by Jucinda Geddes

Principal's Address

Barbara Agnew —

Kia ora koutou katoa

Towards the end of last year, I met with all the students, and their whānau, who had enrolled at Queen’s for this year. In this meeting we discuss the expectations we have of each other. The most common thread in these conversations is related to being happy at school, forming positive friendships and achieving success. Our Strategic Plan reflects each of these points within our three strategic directions of Teaching and Learning, Relationships and Opportunities. That each student can achieve and will achieve, that positive relationships are formed and that opportunities are there for all students to succeed.

One of the most important things your daughter can do to reach the goal of success is also one of the most basic: attend school every day on time! Research has shown that your child's regular attendance may be the greatest factor influencing her academic success. Alongside achievement, two other important benefits are opportunities and belonging. Opportunities and exposure to activities and learning that add to your daughter’s personal growth are not missed, just by being present at school. Your daughter is also learning how to contribute, learning valuable social skills and developing a broader world view by being part of the Queen’s community. There is no safe number of days for missing school. Every Day Counts! We need your support in ensuring your daughter gets to school every day and on time, unless she is unwell.

To our small, but totally committed, Rowing Squad, who have been getting up at 5am nearly every day since mid-January, you are role models for us all. For the second year in a row their final regatta has been cancelled due to the impact of Covid 19. The SISS Championships, in which they won gold last year, was cancelled at the very last minute due to the changing of alert levels. When the girls started their training back in September, their goal was a podium finish at this regatta. It really has been a real test of resilience like no other sport or situation I can think of over the last year and I can only congratulate these young women for the commitment they have shown despite the uncertainty that was ever present. I know you will be back next season, stronger than before.


Barbara Agnew

Principal