Kia ora koutou katoa

This Hune (June), people all over Aotearoa New Zealand will be taking part in traditions and festivities as Matariki rises to herald in Te Mātahi o te Tau, the Māori New Year. 

Matariki is a time to reflect on the past and those who have passed on, to celebrate the present with kai and time with our whānau and communities, and to look ahead and plan for the future.

“It’s about sharing and collectivity, coming together. It’s about the environment and giving back to the environment and being thankful … it is about aroha and manaakitanga and kai and whanaungatanga, and all of those good things that make people who they are. The best things that make us who we are”  as said by Dr Rangi Matamua.

In this week’s Queen’s News, as always, there is much for us to celebrate: students being involved, helping others, sharing their skills and representing our school with pride. These are some of the many things that make me proud to be part of the Queen’s High School community.

This week we also celebrated the academic achievements of 59 students, at a function hosted by the Queen's High School Board, with the presentation of Young Scholar Badges.  To gain a Young Scholar award, a student needs to achieve a grade point average of 80% or above in their respective NCEA Level from the previous year. To gain this award is no easy task. It takes hard work, commitment, determination and perseverance.  My congratulations to all the students who have been received this award. 

As a school we are holding a whole school community Matariki Celebration on Wednesday 3 July, with shared kai around 5.30pm.  Everyone is welcome to join us in the whare Te Owaina any time from 5pm.

Ngā mihi

Barbara Agnew

Tumuaki | Principal