With the Winter bugs starting to hit and COVID still very much a part of our daily lives, it is timely to share the refreshed health guidance released by Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora to help you decide if your daughter is well enough to attend school.

Please refer to the website's online calendar for other important dates and the most up-to-date information.

A warm Dio welcome to the following new staff member.

In upcoming DioNews issues, we will profile different staff and community members to introduce you to the individuals who make up your school community.

The Parents' Association has started term two by helping at the learning conferences. We hope you stopped in, said hi, enjoyed some refreshments, and engaged in light banter.

Last Wednesday morning, under the vibrant hues of a pink sunrise, something special happened at Dio.

Expressions of Interest for the Year 10 Exchange programme are due by the end of the day on Monday,13 May. All information can be found on the Exchanges page at Students@Dio.

This week, Year 11 students attended camp at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawaahia, home to one of our most famous Old Girls, the late Maaori Queen and the longest-serving leader of the Kiingitanga, Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu. This cultural camp aims to help students understand more about Kaupapa Maaori, which is underpinned by Tainuitanga and experienced in the heart of Kiingitanga.

Term Two is here, which means Winter sports! Our major codes, netball, hockey, and football, have begun their team training, with their season kick-off this week.

Over the holidays, Tainui Waka held the annual Kapa Haka Festival, where five roopuu (groups) qualified to represent our iwi at Te Matatini next year in Taranaki. Some of our Kapa Haka students were lucky enough to attend and get a taste of just where Kapa Haka can take you.