Term Two Week 1

Welcome back to Term 2. We hope you have all had a restful break and are feeling refreshed for what will be a long but important 11-week term.

For our senior students and their whānau, this term is focused on being well prepared for internal assessments. We have recently seen some instances of inappropriate use of AI in assessment work. While AI can be a helpful tool for generating ideas or supporting thinking, it must not be used to find answers and copy them directly into assessments. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing clear guidance about what appropriate use looks like. If students are ever unsure, we strongly encourage them to talk with their teachers, who are there to support them.

For our Year 10 students and families, there are now five weeks to prepare for the CAA Reading, Writing, and Numeracy assessments. Preparation is key. This includes working through past papers, asking questions in class, and making the most of after-school tutoring available in the Library. Senior Student Tutors are also available to help. This is equally important for any Year 11–13 students who have not yet achieved their CAA. Without this qualification, students cannot be awarded an NCEA Level certificate, even if they have gained enough credits.

We would also like to acknowledge the strong attendance in Term 1, with 83% of students attending between 80–100% of the time. Attendance remains a shared priority for both school and home. If your child’s attendance currently sits between 80–90%, a helpful goal for this term is no more than five days away from school, which will lift them into the 90% attendance band. There are also incentives in place, including movie tickets, book vouchers, sushi vouchers, special lunches, and UE Boom rewards for top-attending Ākina groups. Being at school every day supports learning, connection, and wellbeing.

This weekend, we will acknowledge ANZAC Day. Our student leaders will attend the Dawn Service at the cenotaph, where our Amorangi and Head Girl will lay a wreath in remembrance of those who have served. Following this, we will return to school to raise the New Zealand flag to half-mast and share readings of remembrance. Our school ANZAC Assembly will take place the following week.

As we move into the term ahead, we encourage students to set clear goals and build positive habits to support their success. Our whakataukī reminds us of the importance of working together: He waka eke noa — we are all in this waka together.

Ngā mihi nui

Mrs Lisa Akers

Principal

Welcome back! I hope everyone took the time to recharge and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. Term 2 is shaping up to be a busy one, packed with academic assessments and numerous Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) opportunities across the school.

We have a full calendar right from the start of the Term. Fiafia Night, a wonderful celebration of culture and community is in week 4. The Literacy and Numeracy co-requisite assessments will take place week 5 and 6. Throughout the first half of the term we also have ongoing EOTC like the Level 3 Biology trip, Pūhoro sessions, Level 2 & 3 Outdoor Education, and various Careers opportunities.

NCEA Information Evening Recap

It was fantastic to see whānau at our NCEA Information Evening on Thursday. Our goal was to ensure students and their whānau feel confident navigating the NCEA landscape. During the session, we covered:

• Credit Requirements: Understanding the 60+ credits needed for achievement.
• Co-requisites: Explaining the specific Literacy and Numeracy requirements.
• Endorsements: How to achieve Merit and Excellence at both course and certificate levels.
• Support: Practical ways whānau can assist students with their studies.

Resources & Support
The presentation slides from the evening available here. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact your student’s Ākina Coach or their individual subject teachers.

We look forward to a productive and exciting term ahead!

Junior Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday 7 May in the School Hall, 3:30-6:00pm.

This is a valuable opportunity to meet with your student’s teachers, discuss their progress and achievements, and set goals for the remainder of the term.

How to book
A booking link will be emailed to families next week allowing you to select interview times with your student’s teachers.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Term 1 was a busy and productive start for our Careers department. We welcomed a number of universities to our campus and supported students to visit tertiary providers, helping them explore future study and career pathways.

The momentum continues into Term 2, with a wide range of opportunities ahead. Students are encouraged to check the daily notices regularly to stay informed about upcoming events, trips and registrations.

Learner Driver Licence Training – Week of 11 May
We are pleased to offer in-school Learner Licence Training during the week of 11 May. This is a valuable opportunity for students to begin their driver licence journey with support from staff. Students will spend time learning the Road Code before sitting their official test at either VTNZ or AA.

Please note:

• Students will be out of class for one to two days.
• Must be 16 years or older.
• Cost: $96.10 (payment required prior to training).
• Students must bring an original birth certificate or passport.
• Permission forms are available from Maxine in T1.

Gateway Programme
Term 2 is an exciting time for our Gateway students, with up to 32 students beginning work placements across a range of industries.

Students are gaining experience in:

• Retail – Pak’nSave, Farmers, Spotlight
• Early Childhood Education – Nature Kids
• Hospitality – 13th Stag Café, No.5 Café & Larder
• Trades – Bay Ford, Brittin Builders
• Administration & Aged Care – Brittany House Residential Care
• Youth & Social Services – Wowbeing, Frimley School

Each placement runs for one day per week over 6–8 weeks, providing students with valuable real-world experience and insight into potential career pathways.

Monday’s assembly was a special one as we officially introduced our new Year 10 Leaders!

These students were chosen because they truly live our school values every day. They’ve already shown a fantastic ability to lead their peers and a genuine drive to take on more responsibility within our school community. We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make this year!

At Hastings Girls’ High School, we take immense pride in fostering an environment where our students can grow into confident, socially aware citizens. Recently, two of our students, Khushi Bijalwan (Year 12) and Niharika Bukka (Year 11), embodied this spirit by representing our kura at the SADD (Students Against Dangerous Driving) National Conference in Cambridge.

The conference, hosted at St Peter’s College, provided a vibrant and energetic atmosphere for students from across Aotearoa to connect. Fully funded by SADD, this opportunity allowed Khushi and Niharika to immerse themselves in a three-day journey of leadership, collaboration, and advocacy.

The experience was as much about building community as it was about learning. From initial team-building icebreakers to hands-on road safety challenges, our students worked alongside peers to design presentations, posters, and strategic initiatives. They also attended specialist masterclasses, honing the communication and leadership skills that are vital for making a tangible difference in our local community.

It wasn’t all hard work, however! The evenings offered a chance to unwind and build lasting friendships, including a memorable “Oops, I’m in the wrong event” themed quiz night that added a touch of fun to the professional development.

On the final day, Khushi and Niharika stepped up to present their team’s ideas to experts from national road safety departments. This direct engagement with industry professionals gave them a deeper understanding of how student-led voices can influence real change.

We are incredibly proud of Khushi and Niharika for their commitment to this important cause. They have returned to school with a wealth of knowledge and a renewed passion for road safety. We look forward to seeing them implement their new ideas and continue to grow the SADD initiative within our school, ensuring a safer environment for all our students.

Monday 27th April

Senior A Netball | 8:00am – 10:00am | School Gym

Tuesday 28th April

Badminton Juniors | Lunch | School Gym

Junior A & B Netball | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | School Gym 

Football 1st XI | 3:00pm – 4:30pm | School Fields 

Wednesday 29th April

Junior Red Netball | Lunch | School Gym
Junior Blue Netball | Lunch | School Gym

Senior B Netball | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | School Gym

1st XI Football | 3:00pm – 4:30pm | School Field 

1st XI Hockey | 3:00pm – 4:30pm | School Turf

Rugby | 3:00pm – 4:30pm | School Field

Thursday 30th April

Badminton Seniors | Lunch | School Gym

Junior Red Netball | Lunch | School Turf

Friday 1st May

Senior B Netball | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | School Gym

Massive congratulations to Pattreece for being selected for the New Zealand U16 Tag Blacks!

Pattreece will be heading to Australia later this year to compete in the Tag World Cup. This is such an incredible achievement and a true testament to all the hard work and dedication put in behind the scenes. We are so proud of you!

Congratulations to HGHS students Brooke, Peyton, Aaliyah and Bella on their outstanding performance at the 2026 Portugal Youth Rugby Tournament.

Last month, the girls travelled overseas to represent their local club, Recode, on a three-week tour. Alongside the experience of international travel, they demonstrated strong commitment and discipline, undertaking daily training sessions to perform at their best.

Their journey to the final saw them compete against teams from Scotland, Canada, England and Portugal. After a series of impressive performances, they advanced to the final where they faced the USA, securing a well-deserved victory to become tournament champions.

Off the field, the girls also had the opportunity to experience new cultures, including a week in Paris and time exploring Portugal.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work, resilience and the way they have represented both their club and Hastings Girls’ High School on the international stage. Welcome home, champions.

School Calendar