We kicked off the new year with new students and new changes. To welcome the two, we introduced a Whanaungatanga programme that involved all year levels connecting.

The Whanaungatanga programme included class bonding, and for the Year 9's, a walk to the Pukehinahina Pā site and inter-house competitions. The goal of this initiative was to get to know fellow students in our vertical whānau class, and create the foundation of a safe environment which supports our journey at Tauranga Girls' College.

For the seniors, this programme gave us the opportunity to adjust to the new whānau class system and embrace the benefits of change. One of the main advantages of these vertical whānau classes is the leadership and mentorship that the range of year levels provides. This relationship has given us the opportunity to act as big sisters to the younger cohorts. 

“As Year Thirteens we were able to share our experiences and knowledge about what it's like to be at our school” - Nicole Palmer, Year 13.

We hope that in leading by example we can inspire and guide the younger students to grow as young women who work hard, and take up opportunities to fully embrace everything TGC has to offer.

“It's exciting having different people around because it's always interesting meeting new people, it's a fresh start to our final year” - Maddison Whibley, Year 13.

For the juniors, the Whanaungatanga programme was all about being welcomed into TGC and feeling like they belong in this kura. We hope that with this introduction, it helped them to feel comfortable as they begin their high school adventure. The Year 9's didn't begin their classes for the first five days of school, and instead took the time to get to know their peers by participating in an egg drop competition, relays between houses, rakau sticks in the whare, swimming, and a walk to the Pukehinahina Pā site. 

“It was a great start to the school year, I loved not doing work and meeting people that I didn’t really know” - Year 9 from WAHR.

The Whanaungatanga Program was a fun way to begin 2021 and gave us a great opportunity to meet and bond with our fellow TGC sisters.