This term at the hostel has been a busy one with winter sports for many of the girls. Hockey, netball, rugby and badminton!

We have recently welcomed two new weekend supervisors Alana Garmonsway and Belle Townsend who are settling into hostel life.

Bonding with our Year 10 girls has been great this term, with our latest activity being an adventure to Elloughton Gardens Rest Home. The visit was greatly appreciated by rest home staff, residents and our boarders. We painted, nails, sang songs, chatted, crocheted and played games. We loved this so much that we will be making a visit every term.

This Saturday we have a group of weekend girls heading to Shearers Quarters with our Gap student Hannah for a round of golf, a maze run, and feeding the animals.

We have a special farewell coming up for one of catering team members, Carolyn, who has been working in the canteen for a number of years. We wish her all the best with her new venture and she will be sadly missed by all the girls. Fear not day-girls - the brownie recipe will remain!

Congratulations to Heidi Bee from your hostel whanau on your recent scholarship for Outward Bound for three weeks in Marlborough Sounds. We look forward to hearing about your trip once you are back next term.

The hostel has implemented a merit system which has been well received, with acknowledgement and awards presented for all the good things we see around ‘The House’. 

Staff Introduction- Hannah Marsden

Kia Ora,

I’m Hannah, the new Gap Assistant at the hostel for 2021. I’m from a small coastal town called Port Macquarie in Australia. It is about 4 hours north of Sydney and I love living there, especially with such warm weather. I finished school in 2020 and decided to have a gap year before heading to university next year where I plan to study a business degree majoring in sport events management.

I’ll be here at TGHS hostel until the end of Term 4. At the hostel my typical day involves driving the girls to and from activities and sports in the afternoon, assisting with morning and bedtime routines and spending time with the girls on the weekend. Since being here this term, I’ve travelled with the school to the Manu Korero speech competition and loved the cultural experience this gave me. I also assist in the school canteen throughout the week which has enabled me to meet the day-girls.

On my days off I enjoy going away with the Gap Assistants at Craighead. So far we’ve been to Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, Oamaru and Christchurch. We’ve got a big South Island road trip planned for these holidays which should be lots of fun! I’m excited to take on any opportunities that allow me to see what NZ or the local area has to offer! Away from work, I also enjoy taking part in sports such as netball and touch football for both the physical and social benefits!

I’m thrilled to be here for the year and look forward to meeting you if I haven’t yet!