Hilda's News Term 4

“An optimist understands that life can be a bumpy road, but at least it is leading somewhere. They learn from mistakes and failures, and are not afraid to fail again.” – Harvey Mackay

Kia ora parents and whanau,

2022 has been a year of unique trials and exciting opportunities and as a school community, we can all look back with a sense of pride in the way we coped with the diverse, unplanned, and extraordinary challenges that came our way.

The year has definitely had its highlights with achievements in the sports, arts, and academic spheres, but for me the best moments have been seeing students connecting and smiling once we could get rid of masks, akonga being able to enjoy the range of co-curricular activities again, and being able to host our school events such as Leavers Service and Prize Giving with our community around us not online.

As in any aspect of modern life it is the small, personal moments that have made the year. A laugh in the staffroom, shared excitement in close games, voices lifted in song, a thought provoking chapel service, an impressive Art board, pride in the students efforts and the chats at swimming class every Wednesday.

2023 is still unknown but there is much to be optimistic about. The development of Whitby and the chapel is making good progress and it is exciting to see the plans coming to shape, the enhancement of matauranga maori and exploring our cultural narrative, progress on the NCEA changes and progressing plans for a playground. We have a strong group of staff who will continue to lead our curriculum enhancement and our pastoral programmes and we have a full roll, with many delightful new students joining us next year.

We welcome some new staff next year too. Ms Harriet Love will be joining the Science department teaching Chemistry and general Science. Mr Chris Richards will be teaching Digital Technology and also joining the Science department to teach Biology alongside Mr Nigel St Louis. Mr Elwood will be stepping back from Maths to focus on Te reo Māori and Mrs Claire Laverty is returning to the Maths department after taking time out to raise her young family.

Mrs Carla Joint and Mrs Shannon Prentice will be sharing the role of DP Curriculum, while Mrs Maw moves into Acting Principal for the year, and we will have new staff in the Year 7&8 area.

A big thank you must go to all our staff, in their myriad of roles within the school who have worked so hard this year to ensure our students were not disadvantaged by the uncertainty and limitations placed on us by the pandemic. Their expertise, collective wisdom, commitment and energy have ensured a successful and productive year. This is a high performing organization because of the people in it and we are so fortunate to have all of them contributing to make St Hilda’s Collegiate such a special place.

It is with very mixed feelings that I move out of the school for a year, but I know the school is in good hands and it is a strong community. I am looking forward to working with other Principals and also to returning to St Hilda’s in 2024, hopefully bringing back with me a kete of new ideas and best practice that I might share with others.

Thank you to our Board of Trustees, Board of Proprietors, and PFA for their continued assistance and enthusiasm. We are so fortunate to have their expertise and energy to call on, as each group makes their own unique contribution to the wider life of the school.

I wish all our families a refreshing and relaxing summer break, and hope time with whanau and friends readies you for another exciting year. 

Ka Kite - Jackie Barron

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27