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

Whether we like it or not, we live in a world of appearance judgement. Young people know this more than anyone, because they see the effects of appearance judgement every day on social media. Hence, my formal address at assembly last week focused on the importance of wearing our beautiful WGHS uniform correctly. I spoke about the unconscious power of first impressions, the lasting effects that these can have, and the positive shift in confidence and pride that can result for students when they wear their uniform well.

I asked your daughters to consider why it is important that they wear their WGHS uniform correctly and with pride. The answer, of course, is because presenting themselves well is not only a simple life skill that can contribute to future success, but it also reflects their attitude towards school and towards life. It tells a story of not just who they are as individuals, but who we are as a school. Additionally, how our students wear their uniform and how they behave when wearing it reflects not only on them, but on all of us who are a part of the WGHS community. Thinking about it this way, wearing the WGHS uniform is actually a huge responsibility. I asked the students to have the courage to meet that responsibility, and I ask that you, as parents/caregivers, support us in this endeavour also. Our Waitaki Way value of Respect is described as care and consideration for self, as well as others, and wearing our school uniform correctly and with pride is a simple way to live this school value.

For those sceptical about appearance judgement and our uniform regulations, it is worth remembering that the fact our students have a uniform to wear and a school to attend, makes them instantly more privileged than over 130 million young women in the world who don’t have access to education and who would give anything to be in their shoes - even if they are black leather conventional school style ones!

On another note, it is a pleasure to be sharing further successes of our students in this newsletter. No doubt these successes are testament not only to talent and ability, but to hard work, perseverance and sacrifice. As our senior students near the end of their formal classes and prepare for NCEA external exams, it is timely to remember that academic outcomes are similarly determined not only by natural talent and ability, but by the determination to persevere, and do what it takes to ensure success. In the words of world renowned architect, Frank Llyod Wright, the price of success is “dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to see the things you want to see happen”

Elizabeth Koni

Principal