“Gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.” 

- Mother Teresa

Kia ora parents and whanau,

Term 1 2022 – has been one of a kind. We have ridden the wave of COVID, adapted, kept moving forward, kept our students engaged and learning, looked after the wellbeing and workloads of staff, felt validated and supported by our whanau and community and taken every chance to celebrate being together as a school. Phew!!

This has meant combining assemblies and chapels, smaller gatherings of students, having to cancel some key events, Zoom meetings, wearing masks, finding new ways to enjoy past practices and having our seniors on line when the COVID numbers started to get really high. At all times our students have been stoic, pragmatic, respectful and positive and I am so proud of the way they have ridden the wave, and kept their eye on the future.

And through it all we have been supported by our whanau and community and for that we are incredibly grateful. There is no more tangible evidence of this than the wonderful 125th Anniversary Appeal organised online by our Director of Development, Amanda Burke. To have such amazing support from our whanau, community, old girls and friends of the school has been truly heart warming and humbling. Thank you all for your generosity, your kindness and your belief in us and all we are achieving.

The Whitby/Chapel rebuild will begin in earnest after Easter and it is thanks to the assistance of our wider community that we are able to take on such an ambitious and important project in the life of the school.

This project is about the future. About connecting visually, physically and emotionally with our surroundings, our community, our city. About giving students a learning environment that enhances their sense of connection and belonging, that reflects the needs of the 21st century learner, and prepares them for the lifelong learning, multiple career paths and opportunities in the years ahead. Never has the future looked more complex and never has it been more important that our students develop a strong sense of self-worth and belonging that builds a foundation for life.

Focusing on the future has also led to us reflecting on the House names: Havelock, Lawrence, Nelson, Wellington. The Houses were established in 1922, and 100 years on I think it is appropriate that we review the names of the houses and their fit for our school in 2022.

Interestingly the Houses were established after a patrol system, that was introduced for the girls after the school had closed for the Spanish Influenza Epidemic in 1919 and 1920, was abolished. When the students returned to school they were all divided into 4 ‘patrols’, based on the Scout system, and they worked together in those groups. I wonder if maybe that was their version of the 2022 ‘bubble’ where staff tried to keep the students in small groups so as not to risk further infections?

In 1922 the patrol system was abolished and the Houses as we know them were introduced. While it is a fantastic system, the names of the houses have troubled me for some time and given the houses were established 100 years ago, I think it is timely that we reflect on their names and why they may not be suitable any longer for a girls school in 2022. Please find the reflection (in the article below - 'What's in a Name), that Dr Townsley and I led in chapel last week with our students and staff. We have asked for their feedback and ideas, and welcome yours. Please email any thoughts to principal@shcs.school.nz

Finally, in the immediate future, I hope you have a blessed Easter, spend time with family, have time to reflect, recharge and be grateful for all we have been able to enjoy this term. Who knows what next term will bring, but whatever it looks like I know at St Hilda’s Collegiate we are ready for it!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Nga mihi nui

Jackie Barron