The term has got off to a frantic start as we count down to our senior girls leaving us at the end of week 3. This week I was involved with the annual Year 12 camp at Hanmer Springs and enjoyed participating with the girls in the activities as they worked together in Clans. Camps are a great chance for staff and students to try new things, experience a different environment and above all start to talk and reflect on the type of vision they want to create in the school. Spending time with them and listening to their thoughts and ideas left me with a sense that 2020 is going to be another great year with these girls who, in a very short time, will be donning their gold braided blazers to become our senior role models. I offer my thanks to Janette Frier, Year 12 Dean, tutors and staff who so willingly gave up their time away from their families to make this such an enjoyable experience. Once again, our Chef Jason prepared wonderful food for us all - camp food was never like that in my day! Injuries to our girls were minimal, however unfortunately two of our staff found the mountain biking just a little bit challenging and did require some medical intervention! I wish them a speedy recovery.

This week we have enjoyed a visit from our sister school Yokohama Jogakuin which always proves to be a highlight on our school calendar, and which began with a powerful Powhiri. On Wednesday afternoon, Yokohama Jogakuin performed a traditional dance for their buddies wearing Yukata (summer kimono) that they had made themselves. They followed this with a Maori tikanga class which saw many smiles and laughs as they learnt a waiata and enjoyed poi and rakau sticks activities. Thursday and Friday saw our Yokohama visitors attend classes with their buddies, with lessons being collaborative and focussing on energy, multiculturalism and biodiversity. A special lunch was held today for our visitors and their buddies, with a gift exchange taking place to mark the end of a wonderful visit. Seeing our students interacting with our Japanese visitors and taking part in collaborative learning activities together reinforces to me the importance that these exchanges provide to us all.

We have our Cancer Society Breakfast coming up next Thursday 24th October at 7.00am. Bring along your mothers, aunties, sisters, grandmothers, and any other female role models and enjoy breakfast whilst raising money for charity. There will be an amazing silent auction, quizzes and games to keep you entertained. Click here to purchase your tickets>>.

Make sure you secure your tickets for our joint Rangi Ruru/Christ’s College Junior Production of “High School Musical 2 junior” which will be held from November 11th to the 13th at Christ’s College. Click here to purchase>>. The tickets will sell out quickly so get in early to avoid disappointment.