Welcome back everyone, nau mai, haere mai. It was such a joy to see the smiling faces of returning students at the school gate this morning and also to welcome our new students to SMC. As we head into the new school year, there is much debate at a national level with respect to the best model for schooling but most would agree without doubt that students benefit from having great teachers.

Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai and welcome to the Arts section of our bi-weekly newsletter where we will keep you up to date with our girls’ achievements and news across the arts including information about events and activities. We welcome all our new families and welcome back our returning ones for what we know will be an action-packed year for us all: ngā mihi ki a koutou as we get ready to set the scene for 2019!

A huge welcome to SMC Sport for 2019. We look forward to seeing all our returning students alongside the many new girls who start with us this week. Term One is very busy with Swimming and Athletic Sports alongside our summer sporting competitions and tournaments. As always please keep us informed of any results or exciting news, accompanied with a photo if possible. Details of summer and winter trials are attached to this report.

Want to get an insight into what happens behind the scenes at SMC? Follow @smcprincipal on Instagram for a day in the life of Mrs Patchett!

St Margaret’s College staff started the school year by building 20 bicycles and donating them to Heart Kids families, followed by donating 150 school lunches to those in need through the Eat My Lunch initiative.

This week's businesses are Anstice & Associates Optometrists, AON, Armstrong Interiors Ltd, Armstrong Motor Group and Central Heating New Zealand Ltd - full details on the offers they have available to the SMC community are here...

To all of the new staff joining our team in 2019.

Catering manager, Paula Moore has been working with SMC parent, Kat Darry (whose day job is the All Black's nutritionist!), on a new cafe menu for 2019!

Each year group has the opportunity to enjoy a yummy breakfast with their Dads, or Grandads and to hear from an inspirational guest speaker.

We are coming to a region near you! Old Girls', past, present and future parents are warmly invited to meet Executive Principal Diana Patchett and learn more about life at SMC.

Looking forward to seeing everyone for our family picnic and barbecue on the Winchester Lawn to welcome in the new school year.

Remember to download the SMC App and keep up to date with everything that's happening. Also, if you already have the App, don't forget to update your year group for 2019!

Now is the time to check all items of school uniform are clearly named.

All Old Girls, Mothers, Grandmothers, staff and associates of SMC, Rangi Ruru, Craighead, Columba and St Hilda's are warmly invited to attend the annual Combined Old Girl's Golf Tournament.