Every parent, I am sure, will appreciate the enormity of lost property at school if they stop and think about what goes on at home when one person in the household has misplaced something then multiply that by 800.

Whether it is ‘I thought I left it here' or ‘someone has taken it’ or ‘I don’t know what I have done with it’ lost property is a frustrating use of time for everyone. Our staff at Maggie’s compile comprehensive lists twice a week of named clothing, not to mention the 300 or more, unnamed items of school clothing, so yes, this is something concerning to us.

Couple this dilemma with our aspiration to educate girls and young women who take responsibility for their learning and their property, we have reconsidered how we can encourage those life skills of independence and responsibility through our lost property process. The Middle and Senior Guidance Teams for some time have discussed how we are not enabling these independent attributes by staff emailing Staff Matters or Student Notices the instant a student has lost something. For this reason, we are increasing the responsibility for the individual students.

If a student has lost something, their first responsibility will be to retrace their steps and look. If they are unable to find the item, they will then go to Maggies and check the clearly hung, stacked and labelled items or the numerous unnamed pieces, to see if their item is there. If not, they will fill in a book so if the item does turn up, the staff can notify them via email.

If the lost item is a device, the girls are asked to go to the Administration Office for the same process - although thankfully this does not involve the same number of items!

Parents, you have an important part to play and that is in naming your daughter’s belongings. It is concerning to see the large number of uniform items not named - we could almost stock a sports shoe store! Please use a marker to name if you want the quick option or don’t love using a needle and cotton. Our school process is that Maggies will hold the items for one or two months but it is much more satisfying for you and us to have your girls with all their belongings.

He waka eke noa - We’re all in this together; let’s work together to teach our students - your girls, some basic life skills of care and responsibility. Life beyond our gate is not so accommodating for misplaced belongings.