Kia ora,

Over the past two weeks I have attended two spectacular events in Atawhai - the instrumental showcase Step into Spring, and an Evening of Dance put on by our dance companies. A huge thanks to our Music and Performing Arts Departments for putting on these performances for our community and congratulations to our ākonga involved - you all performed superbly.

Thank you to all those who have attended the Learning Progress Conferences recently. These are an important part of the academic progress of your daughter, and we trust you value the format and feedback provided.

To assist us with class planning for 2024, please notify us if your daughter is not planning on returning to Rangi Ruru next year by contacting our Enrolments Manager by the end of the term break. We are also starting our interview process for siblings of current students enrolled for 2025. We place priority on siblings of current or past students, and daughters and granddaughters of Old Girls’. If you are in this situation and your daughter is not enrolled, please contact our Enrolments Manager as soon as possible, as places are limited.

Both Year 12 and Year 8 had their camps recently, and I had the pleasure of attending the Year 12 camp in Hanmer Springs last week. Whilst the weather could have been slightly better, energy levels were high, and there was plenty of Rangi Ruru spirit on show.

Grandparents’ and Generations’ Day is always such a special day for ākonga and their families and that is why we like to capture the afternoon on film. A link to the professional photos, which are available to purchase, was sent to you all last week. Our team also took some more candid photos on the day, please view the album here.

I wish to take this moment to congratulate Cindy Liu, Aurora Li and Polly Lee along with Mieka Engelbrecht, Sophie Johnstone and Harriet Abbott who recently competed in the Year 11 chemistry competition held at Ara/Te Pūkenga and were awarded 1st equal (with Christ’s College) and 3rd place respectively. Ka rawe!

Five Year 12 Spanish students arrived safely in Buenos Aires this week, warmly greeted by their host families, for a 4-week exchange at Colegio Pestalozzi. The students will fully immerse themselves into Argentinian school and family life and then will return the favour in 2024 when they welcome their host ‘sisters’ back here to experience school and whānau life in Aotearoa. A group of 9 Year 13 French students are also heading away these holidays to New Caledonia, to immerse themselves in the French language and the French Polynesian way of life, with a little bit of sightseeing thrown in as well.

Whether you too are heading offshore these holidays or simply relaxing at home with family and friends, I hope you have a great break. I look forward to seeing you all in a few weeks’ time to wrap up the year.

Ngā mihi

Dr Sandra Hastie
Principal