Important information and good luck for exams

This afternoon, in Assembly, Years 7 to 11 were introduced to our new mobile phone policy which will take effect from this coming Monday 4 November. I am sure that you also share our concerns at the constant pull that these devices are having on your daughter especially with regards to social media and negative interactions.

Recent studies undertaken with Netsafe in New Zealand have reported that 7 out of 10 teenagers have experienced at least one type of unwanted digital communication in the past year. This was more prevalent for girls than boys. Low mood and anxiety levels have also been attributed to mobile phone use as well as the constant interruptions to their learning as they are alerted to texts, snap chats etc.

As a school we introduced a mobile phone policy last term for Years 7 and 8 and have already noticed a positive difference in terms of their friendships, concentration levels in class and a great willingness to become more physically active during interval and lunch. There have also been very few social media issues that our staff have had to deal with. Our Year 7 and 8 girls, while reluctant at the start, have embraced this approach and have also reported that it is better for them.

We would now like to introduce this policy to our Year 9 and 10 girls and next year, when our senior girls return, it will also be in place for them.

I ask that you support us so that collectively we can ensure that this is able to be implemented quickly and effectively. You also need to be aware that any communication that you need with your daughter can only be answered by her at the conclusion of the school day, so if a message is urgent, you will need to contact the school office and they will get a message to her.

Please see below the cell phone policy so that you and your daughter are well aware of how we are going to implement this.

I thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to seeing greater levels of engagement between our students of a positive nature especially during their break times.

Good Luck for NCEA exams

I would like to wish all of our Senior girls the very best of luck as they prepare to sit their NCEA final examinations. Remember that rest and eating the right food is very important at this time of the year so be kind to yourself, plan ahead and do contact your teachers if you have any concerns over your work preparation. We are all here to help and want you to be as prepared as you can be.

Quote of the week

Our quote of the week is brought to you by our year Senior leavers whom we farewell this year. The Year 13 class of 2019 have gifted our school a blossom tree as a reminder for us all to continue to flourish.

“Grow through what you go through”