Welcome to our final Intouch for Term 2. 

The survey results released this week by Christchurch Girls’ High School around sexual harassment have brought to the surface an issue we know is widespread. Our students have been active in their raising awareness of this issue, and there is an important role parents and caregivers and Rangi Ruru play in supporting our students. We must all engage in purposeful conversation, encourage and offer appropriate channels for reporting and support, and educate ourselves and those around us in identifying those who may be at risk or where risky situations may arise. We all have an important part to play. As a school our support, guidance and education around respectful relationships and consent has been ongoing through our Health Education programme and our Wellbeing Council and Wellbeing Programme continue to plan appropriate opportunities to continue the discussion and to resolve to create cultural change. We want our students to find their voice, to speak out and to be part of a movement that comes from open conversations with their peers, their whānau and their teachers. Our Senior Leaders have connected with their counterparts at CGHS to consider future directions and will be addressing the issues with our students as part of membership of the Rangi hive and ‘sisterhood’.

There has been some media attention recently on NCEA and schools choosing to remove Level 1. I would like to assure our parents and caregivers that we believe NCEA Level 1 to be the best scaffold into NCEA Levels 2 & 3 for our students. We have made a conscious decision to specialise in NCEA, a flexible and inclusive framework for future learners. You can find out more about our approach to NCEA Level 1 here.

With the Years 7 & 9 scholarship round complete our 2022 roll is now closed, with only a small number of places available for Year 11. With strong applications for 2023 already, this is a timely reminder that should your daughter have younger siblings you are considering enrolling in 2023 or beyond, to ensure you apply for enrolment online or contact our Enrolments team. Siblings of current students are given priority enrolment places, however those applications are still required to be submitted well in advance - the earlier the better. You can see an update from our enrolments team on this here.

We have some exciting news regarding our Equestrian Programme, with Sally Goldsmith taking the reins as our new Equestrian Manager from July. See more here.

For those in the Marlborough region – a reminder that our regional roadshow event is taking place on 12 August from 6pm to 8pm at Wairau River Winery (thanks to the generosity of the Rose family). To register or find more info see our event page here. I look forward to seeing some familiar faces there!

Also a quick reminder to save the date of Saturday 18 September for our Te Koraha House Party… a cocktail party with a purpose. More details will be available soon – this won’t be your average school fundraiser.

In the next few days you will all receive our first Wide Sky Magazine for 2021 in your mailboxes – our theme for the edition is ‘Belong’ aligned with our 2021 school theme. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Have a safe and enjoyable term break and see you all in Term 3.

Ngā mihi nui