Kia ora koutou 

Thank you to the ex-girls, pictured above, who spoke at our Pathways Evening last night. They were inspirational as they shared their stories and the diversity of occupations and management roles they undertake. Students were encouraged by our speakers to seek out opportunities and be open to new learning in an ever-changing job market. Each student working hard to obtain the best educational outcomes they can, is the starting point for widening career options.

The Subject Guide for 2024 has been emailed as a link to all students in Years 10, 11 and 12. It has all the information needed for your child to be able to select subjects for next year. Please refer to the article that is included in the newsletter for further information.

There are many groups and teams that deserve a mention this week for their significant successes in recent competitions. Congratulations to:

· 1st X1 Football team who achieved an exciting 2-1 win in the final of the Division 1 Secondary Schools Football competition and also to our 2nd X1 who made the final in Division 2.

· Aerobics Team who, once again, won the trophy for the highest scoring school with the most 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the competition. Brooke Wilson was awarded the trophy for the highest aerobic score of any competitor.

· Two of our Hip Hop Crews won titles at the Hip Hop Unite NZ Schools Otago/Southland regional competition. ‘Audacity’ won the small crew category and ‘Custom Made’ the mini crew category.

· Polyhymnia – Queen’s and King's combined choir – won a Korimako Award and the award for the best performance of a song in Te Reo in the South Island Cadenza.

· Queen B and the Swing Kings earned a Silver award for their performance at the Dunedin Youth Jazz Festival and the award for the Best Swing piece. Miliame Tudreu was awarded the Best Vocal Performance.

As winter sports draw to a close it is great to see so many of our teams in semi-finals and finals over the weekend and I wish them all well. Well done to all the students who play in these teams and all the best for your final games of the season. A big thank you to our coaches, managers, and supporters, as without you the girls’ would not be able to have these opportunities.

Senior examinations will be starting in the week beginning Monday 4 September. Students are able to access the timetable for the examination period through their year level google classroom so they can plan ahead. This is their opportunity to have an actual practice as to what it will be like in the end of year NCEA exams. It is an opportunity for them to gain indications that they are on track for success, for gaining their subject endorsements and for gaining the grades needed to continue on in a subject. These exams are important: students need to prepare well. It is effort, not luck, which will make the difference in the results achieved.

And finally, on Wednesday night I was privileged to watch the dress rehearsal for He Waka Kōtuia. The hours of practice that the members of this group have put in were clearly evident and everyone involved can feel tremendously proud of what this group of young people continue to achieve. This weekend they travel to Invercargill to compete in Te Hautoka 2023 and I wish them every success.

Barbara Agnew

Tumuaki/Principal