Kia ora koutou, we hope you have had a restful holiday and a great start to Term 2. Last term was - just the same as this one will be - a busy one, so we hope you took some time over the break to ensure you are staying happy and healthy. As we go into this term, we encourage you to look after yourselves and embrace the fun to come.

Easter Baskets

As many of you may already know, every year, we, as a kura, make Easter baskets that are donated to some rest homes around Kirikiriroa.

This event is significant to us as a school as it enables us to embrace our special character values and two essential marks of service and mission.

It helps us provide hope and joy for the elderly members of the Hamilton community, as they always really appreciate us taking the time for them. The baskets were full of goodies, from hand-sewn blankets to chocolate bunnies. The student leadership team wants to extend massive congratulations and thank you for putting so much effort into this special event.

The Year 13s enjoyed delivering Easter baskets to various rest homes all over Hamilton and putting a smile on grateful faces, which wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you to Miss Coffin for organising this special event and all the staff for getting involved.

This year, two spot prizes were given out: the first to Iris Wainui-Mackle, who made gorgeous baskets, and the second to Alexis Fink, who couriered 22 soft toys from Auckland, as well as made 22 baskets herself to contribute to this event. Hillary walked away from this event with the winning house title as well as Hillary 1 taking the winning form class title. They were able to make a whopping 89 baskets in total!

Our gifts blew away the residents of the rest homes, and it was such a memorable experience for us all.

House Spirit Afternoon

On the afternoon of the 23 March, we hosted our House Spirit Day on campus in compensation for the much loved but cancelled Athletics Day. Students could participate in fun and team-building activities to earn precious House points, such as House relays, the mascot race, egg and spoon races and bean bag toss. This event was shrouded in House spirit, and I can attest that there were lots of loud chanting and encouraging screams, as I was left with a sore throat the next day. Despite being unable to compete in Athletics Day due to weather this year, this was a tremendously innovative event to hold instead. It bonded our Houses and created more beautiful memories amongst the whole school, which the student leadership team is so grateful for and cherishes in our quickly advancing final year of high school. That you to everyone who made it possible and the students for making it unforgettable.

Anzac Service

On Tuesday, the 25 April, Petra, Rev Stephen and myself attended the Memorial Park ANZAC Service, along with other head students from around the Waikato. We laid a wreath on the cenotaph on behalf of our kura. It was a beautiful commemorative service, and both Petra and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to attend such notable events as this one. It was an honour for both of us to represent our special kura.

Year 11 Camp

From May 1st-3rd, our Year 11s attended the annual Year 11 Marae Cultural Camp. The Tuurangawaewae Marae visit enables students to embark on a whole immersion experience into the Maaori culture and tikanga Maaori-related activities such as poi making, flax weaving, waka ama etc. We are fortunate to have such a connection to this beautiful marae. We are grateful they can host our Year 11 students each year to provide students with a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. Petra, Amiria and I were able to attend the beautiful poowhiri.  Amiria and I also stayed the day to lead a poi-making activity. A huge thank you to Koka, Whaea Jackie, Matua Erin/Mr Nin, Amokura Amiria Douglas, and all staff involved in this camp for leading our students over their two-night stay. Over the three days, the students learned more about the Kaupapa Maaori world. They immersed themselves in Maaori culture, took part in the famous ‘ Marae Idol’ talent quest judged by myself, Amiria and 2022 Amokura, Jorja Challis, and wrapped things up with a traditional haangi lunch - which was delicious, by the way! It was such a beautiful experience for our young waahine.

Up and Coming Events

House Singing

House Singing is taking place on the 23 June this year, and preparation has already begun.

We are grateful for its location to be at Claudelands Event Centre again this year, and students are already buzzing with ideas and concepts to make this year's performances outstanding!

This year's theme is Musical Theatre, of which each House chooses a musical to base their theme and song of choice around. We are excited to come together with our Houses and interact with each other in a positive and uplifting (whilst also very competitive) way!

Pink Shirt Day

The annual Pink Shirt Day event will take place on 19 May, and we will unite as a community against the bullying epidemic. The student and wellbeing councils have begun preparations for fundraisers and activities on this much-anticipated day. The student leadership team is excited to make this day as successful, engaging and educational as possible.

May Ball and the Years 9 + 10 Social

The senior ball takes place on the 19 May this year at the Wintec Atrium in central Hamilton. The theme is ‘Meet me in Rome’, and it is anticipated to be a great night of mingling and dancing. The 2023 May Ball has been organised by the Head of Events, Niamh McCormack, her exemplary events council, and mentor teacher, Chelsea Mexted. The senior ball is one of the year's most anticipated events, and we cannot wait to experience this special night. As well as the May Ball, the Years 9 and 10 Social, hosted at St Paul's Collegiate and organised by Catherine Curry, Head of Student Council, will take place on the 25 May.  The theme for this year is 'Disco', and after purchasing their tickets, our juniors are very excited to attend. The prefects and I can’t wait to see you all there!

Well, that’s it from me! It is so lovely to see your beautiful faces again, and I can’t wait to see more of them as the term progresses. Take care of yourselves and enjoy the weeks and events to come. Ka pai too raa!

Aroha nui,

Jamie x