Kia ora koutou katoa

This is the final newsletter for the year, and it provides the school an opportunity to showcase the activities that the junior students have been involved in over the last few weeks.

On our final day of the school year we celebrated the achievements of the Year 9 and 10 students at our Junior Prizegiving’s. It was wonderful to see so many girls gaining academic awards which are an acknowledgement of their hard work and ability. Congratulations to Andie Sykes (Year 10) and to Toody Mahutte (Year 9) on achieving the Top Scholar Award for their respective year level.

The Kāmehameha Trophy was awarded for the first time this year. This trophy was gifted to the school by the 2024 Year 13 students and is to be awarded every year to a junior student who displays our schools key values with mana. Congratulations to Hannah Scott on being the very first recipient of this trophy. Hannah has displayed our values Te Ihi, Te Wehi, Te Wana in the way that she cares for all those around her, and for striving for excellence in all she does. For a full list of prizewinners click here

The previous week, Year 10 students were involved in camps in Central Otago, the Mackenzie Country, Stewart Island, Te Anau and a Dunedin based activity week. From the photos I have seen and feedback I have heard they had a fantastic time, learning new skills, making new friends and sharing new adventures. I am grateful to the staff who generously give up time with their own whānau to allow our students the experience of camp.

The Year 9 Activity Week saw students at Tūhura Otago Museum, the Planetarium and complete an amazing race activity through Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Otago University. They were involved in card design, Christmas craft making, baking and a technology challenge. The Year 9 Spelling bee also happened during the week along with Mr Clark’s famous quiz. These experiences allow for students to learn in a different way and for the relationships between us all to develop even further.

This final issue is being sent to our 2025 Year 9 students so they can see some of the activities they have to look forward to over the next few years. We officially welcome all new students and their whānau to Queen’s on Thursday 30 January with a Mihi Whakatau, starting at 9am. As part of the orientation programme, there is a barbeque lunch on Friday 31 January for all Year 9 students and their whānau.

To you all, have a safe and relaxing holiday period and I look forward to another successful year in 2025. Information for the start of the 2025 school year will be sent separately next week.

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hau.

Barbara Agnew

Tumuaki/Principal