Nau mai haere mai and welcome to our first newsletter/pānui for 2023.

It’s called He Karere Tui. That's the Tui’s message. Previous messages can be found on our website.

I trust that you all had some valued time out with friends and family over the school break despite one of the wettest summers in recent times. And of course, we now have the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Our thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones and to our Tauranga Girls' College families who have friends and family located in those regions that have been devastated by this weather event. I have a very good friend working at Civil Defence HQ in Napier. The hours are 7am-9pm each day and made even more challenging with no power when she returns home each night. Despite the enormity of the work, people like her and many many others are doing their part in what is now a major and long term recovery plan. Kia Kaha to all those volunteers and good sorts lending a helping hand.

Whilst here at Tauranga Girls’ College I made the call to close the school on Monday and Tuesday last week, I did this to provide our families with certainty as according to all weather and media reports, the Western Bay of Plenty was on target for a lot more than what eventuated. As a Geographer, I know how unpredictable cyclones can be, and having the time to be prepared and ready is far better than to be caught out or worse, lose lives. Whilst we are grateful that our city was spared, we send our aroha and support to our sister schools Napier and Gisborne Girls’ High Schools.

Over the two worst weather days, we had a number of trees fall on our Tauranga Girls' College site, with one damaging a classroom in B Block. Several others did minor damage and unfortunately most of these mighty trees will need to be felled as those that had partial damage, are now compromised and unsafe to keep. See images below. Luckily school was closed when the tree fell on our classroom and the closure of the school enabled a team of people to ensure the areas was safe again for students and staff. Special thanks to our Property Team who worked tirelessly to enable this.

Nau mai haere mai

A special welcome to new families/whānau to Tauranga Girls’ College. A school with its aspirations to be the ‘School of Choice’ for any student in the Bay. A school in which no matter the talent, ability and passions of any student, endeavors to uphold an environment that is caring, supportive and supports success for all. We can only achieve this with the support of Tauranga Girls' College families. Our new vision of ‘empowering learners to make a positive impact’ is both exciting and inviting. We have three strategic intents focused on learners, our commitment to the The Treaty of Waitangi and of Hauora and Inclusion.

Whilst our Year 9 BBQ event has had to be postponed last week, we look forward to being able to reschedule this and meet all of our Yr 9 learners and their families by our school pool soon.

A powhiri to welcome new colleagues and students

Two weeks ago we welcomed all new students, teachers and support staff to the school with a formal pōhiri. It was lovely to see and welcome everyone on this day. We remind all parents and whānau that they are welcome to come to the school and school events and if they wish to meet with a staff member, they can arrange this via email or by calling the school office where arrangements can be made for you. For health and safety reasons all visitors are to sign in at our main reception.

COVID-19 Update

Whilst the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the global pandemic status continues, we here continue to be open for onsite learning for all. The wearing of face coverings is permitted for those who wish to do so and or are immune compromised. Your health and wellbeing is important to us. If for any reason, not just due to covid, your young person is not able to come to school, then please let us know by calling the school office.

We can then support your young person's learning via the google classroom. Please ensure they are familiar with the google classroom and are remote learning ready at all times.

Visiting Year 9 classes

I have had the pleasure of visiting 150 Year 9 students in their classes last week. There was a positive and settled learning environment in the classroom and pride in their uniform and of their new school. We know change isn't always easy but know that there are an amazing number of staff here to support your young person's transition from their previous school and into College. Don't hesitate to ask if you need any additional support.

A gift for everyone

All new students will be gifted our new house badge again this year. Inspired by the tukutuku panel, the poutama staircase pattern, the badge encapsulates the learning journey, the challenges and the quest for improvement as a wahine of TGC!

Pastoral Support

All students belong to a vertical whānau group, a house and have a cohort Dean and Deputy Principal to support them. Along with the Careers advisor, Guidance Staff, Learning Hub and the Director of International Students, our students are certainly well cared for. You can email staff directly if you have any questions or concerns. Email details can be found on our website.

Our Values

Manakitanga

Mana Motuhake

Mahi Tahi

And, surrounded by whanaungatanga, these values encapsulate our lived values and are reflected in our positive behavior for learning framework.

Phones and our device of choice

Phones are not permitted during class time. These should be in bags or in the drop zones located in the classroom. Our learning device of choice is the chromebook. Please do not contact your young person during class time. In the case of an emergency, phone the school office. There are consequences for students not following our phone rules. Please support our school in this endeavor as we want to minimize distractions that we know phones can be and ensure that learning is at the fore whilst in class.

Follow us on FB and on Instagram

Keep in touch by following us on our FB and on instagram.

Oozing Talent and Service

As we farewell the Head Prefect and her Deputies from 2022, we welcome in our newly elected student leaders for 2023. Congratulations to Liv Marshall for the Head Prefect role and to her seven Deputies. All leaders will feature on our website and on our social media channels soon. Whilst that gets ready to be shared, you will be seeing many of our others successes being shared with you, including our talented scholarship recipients.

Go on as we mean to

Lastly, it's wonderful to get school underway again, to see friends reconnecting after a summer apart, new students finding their way and joining clubs and sports and the school focussed on learning. Whilst it always takes a week or three to get back into school mode for our learners, I can see how its all coming together again and that ‘empowering learners to make a positive impact’ has begun.

Ka kite whānau, lets make this year even better than the last. We have a lot to be positive about and its happening here at TGC!