Term Two - Week 3
Principal's Pānui
Tēnā koutou e ngā whānau
It has been a great week for our students. Several students successfully took their driver’s licence tests which was wonderful to see and an important step toward independence and future opportunities. Today, we also acknowledged Pink Shirt Day which highlights our ongoing support for anti-bullying and ties in with Mental Health Awareness Week. It’s been great seeing our students and staff wearing pink and supporting such a meaningful kaupapa.
Our Level 1 Business class has worked at Hastings Boys’ High School since Wednesday and thoroughly enjoyed the interaction and activities. This experience has sparked some great conversations about their future pathways and has definitely been a highlight for them.
Next week is shaping up to be a busy one. CAAs begin on Monday and will run over the next two weeks. Our students will take the stage at Showquest at Toitoi on Monday evening, followed by our Senior Parent-Teacher Interviews on Tuesday night. Our Interhouse Haka Competition will take place on Wednesday during Ākina time, and then on Friday, Te Rōpū Manu Huia will perform at the Napier Municipal Theatre. They are scheduled to take the stage in Session 2 at 12.20pm and we are incredibly proud of their commitment and aroha they bring to their performance. We look forward to seeing our proud whānau there too.
For safety reasons, we kindly ask that you avoid driving into the main entrance when picking up students at 3pm. Many of our students cross here at the end of the day so that the main driveway will be blocked off to vehicles. The road is extremely busy at this time and running across it is not safe. If you are parked across the road waiting, please talk with them about using the pedestrian crossing. Our plea is simple: safety first.
Finally, thank you to all our students, staff, whānau, and wider community for your continued support. Your efforts give our students these valuable opportunities to grow, connect, and succeed.
He waka eke noa.
Ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa.
Literacy & Numeracy Assessments Begin Next Week
Students sitting their Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) for Literacy and Numeracy will begin their exams next week. Please ensure you’ve checked the exam timetable carefully and taken note of any room changes—particularly if you usually have class in Room 6 or 7.
All students must confirm their NZQA login is working ahead of time and bring a device to use during the assessment. If you need to borrow a school laptop, please visit the Library before school starts so you can arrive at your exam venue on time.
If you have any questions or need help, please contact Mr Pera at pe@hastingsgirls.com.
Best of luck to all students involved in this assessment round!
Senior Parent/Teacher Interviews
Senior Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 20 May from 3.30-6pm in the School Hall. This is the final full senior parent/teacher interviews for the year. In Term 3 there will be interviews for those students who are not meeting academic expectations.
Please follow this link to make your bookings https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/bphh5
An email has been sent home with subjects and teacher codes to help make your bookings easier.
If you need any help booking, please call the office during school hours (06) 873 1133.
Senior reports will be sent home on Friday 16 May.
Senior Reports have been emailed home today. If you have not received one please check your spam folder and then email Mr Orr on or@hastingsgirls.com with an updated email address.
Student Details - Update Request
The Kamar Portal includes student and caregiver details currently listed in the school database. We invite you to check these details and make any updates as needed.
It is particularly important to ensure your details are correct as there will be a School Board election held in September with nomination and voting information being sent out throughout Term 3.
You can access the Kamar Portal by using this link: https://hastingsgirls.school.kiwi/ The Parent Portal can also be accessed under the Portal Menu on the home page of the HGHS website at hastingsgirls.com. If you have forgotten your password please contact the school office.
Once you have logged on, click Details and make any changes needed to the following:
- Student Details
- Caregiver Details
- Emergency Contacts
- Medical Details
Thank you for helping us to keep our records up-to-date.
A Night to Remember – Reconnecting the HGHS Sisterhood
What a great night we had at our first HGHS Past Students' Networking Evening!
Despite the terrible rain, our past students turned up with warmth and energy, enjoying the chance to tour the school, revisit old memories through photos and archives, and connect with both new faces and long-lost classmates.
The highlight of the evening was without a doubt the stories shared toward the end – full of laughter, nostalgia, and pride in the legacy of Hastings Girls' High School.
We’ve now set a challenge: bring at least one "old girl" with you to the next event which we’re planning for Term 3 (date to be confirmed soon).
Thank you to everyone who came along – we can’t wait to grow this community with you.
Senior Debating Teams Represent with Pride
Last Friday, our Hastings Girls' High School senior debating teams represented us with pride and enthusiasm at the Hawke’s Bay Secondary Schools Senior Debating Competition, hosted by Woodford House.
It was wonderful to hear about the energy, skill, and sportsmanship our students demonstrated throughout the day. The Senior B team had a fantastic start, winning their first debate against Napier Boys' High School White. Their argument against rent control in the prepared moot, “This house believes that rent controls should be implemented in all major cities,” was led with confidence by Pippa Yule and supported by a strong economic perspective.
Our Senior A team—Anna, Maia, and Niharika—faced a tough opponent in Napier Boys' High School Blue. Despite a very close contest, they were narrowly defeated, but their performance showed great depth and resilience.
Both teams then took on the challenge of a limited preparation debate, with only 40 minutes to plan their arguments. This required sharp thinking, strong teamwork, and composure under pressure—all of which our students demonstrated beautifully.
It was also fantastic to see newcomers Khushi, Marquisa, and Jade step up for their very first debates, showing real promise and potential.
A big thank you to Woodford House for hosting the event in such a warm and competitive environment. And to all of our debaters—thank you for representing our school with such poise, thoughtfulness, and courage. We are proud of each and every one of you.
Level 2 Outdoor Education Bay of Islands Adventure
What an incredible week our Level 2 Outdoor Education class had in the Bay of Islands!
After a long day of travel, we arrived in the picturesque town of Russell where we took in breathtaking views from the local lookout. The following day, we made our way to Rawhiti and boarded a water taxi to Urupukapuka Island—our home for the next two nights. With beautiful beaches, scenic walking tracks, and even a few sheep for company, we embraced the challenge of living without modern luxuries like hot water, flushing toilets, or electricity.
After leaving the island, we travelled to Okaihau where we camped on a farm owned by a friend of Mr Pera. The campsite, nestled beside a creek, provided the perfect spot for cooking over an open fire, boiling water, and roasting marshmallows. Special mention to Imila who earned the job of digging the long drop—one of the quirks of arriving late!
When a heavy rain warning was issued, the group faced a real challenge. With support from Mrs Geary and Mr Pera, the students came together and made a mature group decision to pack up and hike out before the weather worsened. This moment was a real highlight—students drew on their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, and the decision showed how much they had grown as a group.
We returned to Russell just ahead of the rain where hot showers, real beds, and proper toilets were very much appreciated. The next morning, we began our journey back to Hawke’s Bay—tired, proud, and full of memories.
This trip was more than just an adventure. It was a week of challenge, growth, laughter, and connection. Students stepped out of their comfort zones, learned to adapt, and most importantly, supported each other every step of the way. We couldn’t be prouder of the way they represented themselves and our kura.
MELLI Class Field Trip to Napier
On Friday 2 May, our MELLI class visited the Ātea-a-Rangi Star Compass and had the opportunity to explore a waka hourua (double-hulled voyaging canoe), gaining insight into the traditions and knowledge of Pacific and Māori navigation.
Guided by Whaea Michelle, our students were taken through the waka and heard powerful stories about ancestral voyaging, cultural identity, and the values that underpin life at sea. They were fascinated to learn how navigators live and work together in close quarters, with the waka offering 16 small sleeping spaces—eight for women and eight for men. It was a hands-on reminder of the importance of whanaungatanga, teamwork, and shared responsibility.
Even in the wind and rain, our students stood at the Ātea-a-Rangi Star Compass, learning how Māori and Pacific voyagers have used stars, the sun, and ocean currents to guide their journeys across vast distances for generations.
What stood out most from this visit was the deep respect our students gained for the wisdom passed down through generations, and the incredible skill and resilience of those who once crossed oceans using only traditional knowledge.
This experience was not just a learning opportunity—it was a powerful reminder of the strength and depth of our cultures. I’m so proud of our students for embracing the experience with such openness and curiosity. It is through opportunities like these that our young people connect more deeply with identity, heritage, and one another.
Calling all Ethnic Communities!
The ESOL, Migrant & Refugee team at the Ministry of Education hosts monthly webinars to help whānau better understand education in Aotearoa. This Term 2 session is all about Navigating NCEA: Literacy, Numeracy & Your Pathway to Tertiary Study. If you know families or community groups who’d benefit from this kōrero, please share the registration link with them!
Netball Draw - Saturday 17 May
Important Dates For Term 2
Monday 19 May
Showquest
Numeracy & Literacy Co-requisite Common Assessments
Tuesday 20 May
Senior Parent / Teacher interviews
Te Mata Peak practice tramps
Wednesday 21 May
House Haka Comp
Thursday 22 May
Kapa Haka Wānanga & Regional Competition Houngarea Marae
MELLA 83 Class Trip: Ātea Rangi and Waka Hourua
Year 9 Creative World Hub Hastings Public Art Walking Tour
Friday 23 May
International girls to Kapa Haka Regionals
Year 10 Creative World Hub Hastings Public Art Walking Tour
Year 10 Visual Arts Elective Hastings Public Art Walking Tour
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Monday 26 May
Samoan Language Week
Queenstown Resort College Tourism Presentation
Student Lead Assembly
Year 9 Outdoors Hub Bush Day
Tuesday 27 May
Year 10 Visual Arts Public Art Tour
Year 12 NZ Career Expo
International Director Hui
Wednesday 28 May
Tinā Movie Screening -- Y9 Te Moana nui ā Kiwa
Thursday 28 May
PIHMS Hotel Management School Presentation (selected year 12/13)
Year 9 Exploring the Outdoors Elective Blowhard Bush Reserve
Friday 30 May
Year 10 Outdoor Hub Bush Day
School Calendar
Please keep an eye on the school calendar to ensure that students are arriving at school prepared for the day's activities. You can find the calendar in the drop down menu of our website or click on the link below
Calendar Link
Week 4 Menu
