Tēnā koutou, Malo e lelei, Tālofa lava, Bula vinaka, Good afternoon.

The last few weeks have provided us the opportunity to rise above the current challenges imposed by Covid level restrictions and to come together to celebrate our most anticipated school occasions; our Senior Prizegiving and Awards & Leadership Assembly. While not the ideal circumstances, it was wonderful to celebrate as a school in our in our newly refurbished M.K Dunning Hall and to have our wider community able to watch the live streams of these events, enabling whanau and friends to be a part of our celebrations of success and the farewell to our graduating class of 2021.

These occasions and the impending end of Term 4 provide a timely reminder to reflect on what we have observed and experienced over the past twelve months. This time last year we asked our school community important questions which would guide our strategic planning for the future. What is it that we want for our young women? What do we need to do to ensure they find success and happiness now and in the future? The feedback we received created our vision ‘To inspire personal excellence in learning and life’ and established our three school goals - excellence in teaching and learning, nurturing wellbeing and building a positive school culture.

As a school community we can be proud of the progress we have made towards these goals. Yes, there have been challenges and sacrifices along the way, but these are often necessities to achieving any goal. What I hope our young women remember looking back on 2021 is not what was difficult, but rather how they developed despite the difficulties. Not what they had to give up, but what they gained. Because it has been proven time and time again that the parts of life from which we derive the most profound sense of happiness, are the ones that require effort, perseverance and grit. Because these, in turn, promote accomplishment, satisfaction and well-being. I am confident that the recipients of awards at our Senior Prizegiving and Awards Assembly, along with our newly appointed school leaders and prefects, will attest that it is not only their individual’s gifts and talents that determined their success this year, but equally, or even more so, their hard work, perseverance and sacrifice.

As our seniors finish their regular timetable for the year and begin NCEA external exams, it is a fitting time to pay tribute to our 2021 graduates, and in particular, to acknowledge our 2021 Head Girl and Dux, Tilly King, and our Deputy Head Girl and Proxime Accessit, Lily Rawson. Both Tilly and Lily epitomise what it means to be a Waitakian, to live by the Waitaki Way and we could not have asked for greater role models for our student body this year. They are undoubtedly two young women, tall poppies, who will go on to make a significant contribution to society. Thank you for your contribution to our school this year and to you and the graduating class of 2021, good luck for whatever your future holds.

Elizabeth Koni

Principal