The first term at Dio has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming and free. It’s so cool that we can go to the dairy and Chartwell Mall, we wouldn’t get those awesome opportunities if we didn’t have these amazing staff and student leaders.

It’s awesome that the staff make every weekend amazing. All the staff are so nice but firm. We are so lucky to have amazing dorms and a KITCHEN and a COMMON ROOM just for us. An even better privilege is that we get our phones most of the day. The food is so good that I don’t think there has been one meal I haven’t liked. Also, I am never hungry because there are always so many meals.

Overall the first term of Year 9 in boarding has been very fun and exciting. We have become one big Year 9 family. I know we are all looking forward to Term 2 and the rest of the year.

Rubby Wiggins - Moxon House

Herft House

This term, the Year 10s have been up to some fun things. To start off the term we had a boarding in-weekend. We spent Friday night at school and had a movie night. We watched an all-time favourite movie Mamma Mia and had a blast singing along to the songs. We spent the Saturday doing activities, learning new skills, and creating a flash mob. It was an amazing weekend and I think everyone had a blast. We also had a themed dinner for Valentine's Day where we dressed up in pink and red outfits. We had an Easter-themed dinner at the end of this term as well. We have been spending a few nights throughout the term doing dorm challenges. We have done skits and made up our own dances. On weekends we have gone to the Chiefs and the women's final rugby games. The Year 10s also had their first chapel with St Paul’s Collegiate at the end of the term. Due to Covid we never got to have chapels with them in Year 9. We were excited to go and support our fellow boarders who are involved in the production this year.

In the day school we have had swimming sports at the start of the term. It was fun to come together with your house for the first event of the year. It was a new experience for the Year 10s as we never got the chance to do swimming sports in Year 9 due to Covid. Unfortunately, athletics day was cancelled due to weather so we had an athletics afternoon where we did some release, mascot races, egg and spoon races, and bean bag throwing. There have been many trials for different sports as winter sports are kicking in next term. The year 10s have had a great first term and can't wait to jump straight into term 2 with our stockings and scarves.

Lucy Ferris - Herft House

Davis House

Term 1 had plenty of new people, new things, and new ways. It’s been interesting for us to adjust to the work of NCEA level 1 but we’ve hit the ground running together and our main focus for our year level this term has been bonding and getting closer as people to embody Emma’s vision He waka eke noa.

Together Davis House has enjoyed afternoon swims in the school pool and our weekly Wednesday Game Nights. Our game nights are super fun and give us the chance to all come together and hang out. We watch TV, eat good food, and do other activities such as playing cards or mindful colouring. We hope to continue these game nights and we look forward to introducing new ways to spend time together in term 2.

Sacha Worth - Davis House