And we have now finished our first full Term at school for the year! It seems crazy to think this is the first time we have finished a full 10 weeks at Tolcarne.

Before we went back into Level 2 restrictions, the seniors were able to have their formal and the Year 11 dance. This was a relief for the girls, as there were lots of dresses ordered, makeup appointments booked and bottles of tan ready to be lathered on! Both events were fantastic evenings, with everyone looking stunning and so grown up. The annual Tolcarne social had to be postponed, however this means that now the girls have even more time to plan those perfect Hawaiian outfits and practice their dance moves! We will be hosting the social on Thursday the 22nd of October – Week 2 back at Tolcarne.

Mya, Ruby, Holly, Sara and Dotty at the Senior Formal — Image by: Isla Huffadine

Bex has done a fantastic job of organizing activities for the girls amidst Covid restrictions. They have been lucky enough to head to rugby games, go ice skating, play Laser Force, explore various walks around the city and many more activities. There is plenty to look forward to next Term, with plans to go surfing, try out a racing car simulator, head on a road trip and even paddle boarding!

This Term we had the exciting new addition of the sushi station for another lunch option. This was a hit - the girls were packing their lunchboxes with various takes on their Japanese favorites. Since we are now back in Level 1 the option of making sushi rolls for lunch returns, hopefully encouraging everyone to get up early again to make one!

The girls looking very content with being able to make their sushi/riceballs for lunch again! — Image by: Isla Huffadine

We had lots of girls away on tournaments this term, all representing themselves and the school very well. The Year 10 hockey team stayed at Tolcarne for their tournament, bringing some of their day girl team mates to come and live with us for the week! This was a great opportunity for the girls to bond as a team, we loved hosting the group and seeing them bring home the winning cup at the end.

The seniors got through another year of benchmark testing, now in preparation for their final NCEA exams at the end of the year. This will be a busy time for all, so remember to take some time to relax and recharge during the holiday break!

Sarah, Meg, Beth and Georgie sending Molly off to the Otago Boys formal like proud parents! — Image by: Isla Huffadine

Last weekend we headed to Queenstown and Coronet Peak for our annual ski trip. This was an amazing weekend, topped off with perfect blue sky days and plenty of sunshine! We had a great time with the girls, even when they took us down some interesting ski tracks... Robyn did an outstanding job of keeping everyone well fed - other skiers were very jealous of our lunches up the mountain! A massive thank you to NZSKI, the Southland Ski lodge and Prime for helping to make our weekend one to remember. We are already excited to head back up the slopes in 2021!

Check out this video from our weekend away to see more of what the girls were getting up to!

On Wednesday evening the Year 9 girls planned a thank you supper for their Year 13 buddies. This was a way to acknowledge all of the support their buddies had given them throughout 2020 and to wish them all the best for their 'life after Tolcarne'! It was a lovely evening for all of the girls - we love coming together and celebrating the Tolcarne Family 💕

The Year 9 'Thank You Supper' for their Year 13 buddies — Image by: Isla Huffadine

Zoe, Danielle and Lindsay enjoying some of the delicious treats! — Image by: Isla Huffadine

On Thursday morning we held our Year 9 Day Girls Breakfast. There were lots of new faces around the dining room, getting to experience a 'morning in the life of a boarder'! After making a packed lunch and enjoying some delicious hot breakfast, the girls headed off with their boarding friends down the bush track to school.

The girls with their breakfast creations — Image by: Isla Huffadine

Everyone fitted in so well the day girls could have passed as boarders :) — Image by: Isla Huffadine

Looking ahead to Term 4 there is plenty to get excited about. Our Christmas dinner, the Year 9 Waihola camp, Year 10 school camp, socials, the Tribe weekend and lots of summer activities. We will also get to meet our 2021 Year 9 girls, who will be invited for the annual Tolcarne sleepover – probably the biggest sleepover they have ever been to!

We are all looking forward to slightly more sunshine and longer evenings to go on walks, play games outside and of course make the most of our upgraded pool area! The Trumpet (termly magazine) and Term 4 planner will be emailed out to you all shortly.

Have a relaxing holiday break and do things that you enjoy, with the people who make you happy 😊

Results from the Board of Trustees Student Representative Elections