Term Two Week 6
Principal's Message
Tēnā koutou e te whānau
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend and had some time to rest and recharge.
This past week, our kura proudly celebrated Pride Week, and I want to acknowledge the outstanding contributions from both staff and students. Your efforts in promoting inclusion and celebrating the diversity within our school whānau demonstrates our school values of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.
Our Level 3 Outdoors class returns today from their incredible trip to Rotorua. This has been an awesome learning experience filled with practical challenges and personal growth. Ka rawe te mahi, e te whānau o te ao tūroa!
Looking ahead, next week is another exciting one. We will be celebrating International Languages Week and are thrilled to welcome some of our Kāhui Ako kura to observe the different languages spoken by our ākonga during our International Language Speech Showcase. It’s a beautiful reminder of the global language, knowledge and culture alive within our school.
We also look forward to seeing our Junior School whānau at Parent Interviews next Tuesday. This is a valuable opportunity to connect and kōrero about your child’s progress and goals.
Our talented performers are busy preparing for the Big Sing concert happening next Wednesday. Thank you to everyone supporting our students in this journey.
To round out the week, we have the Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition during the day on Friday, followed by the Senior Ball in the evening. What a week to be proud of our ākonga and their many talents!
Finally, with the chilly weather and seasonal illness making the rounds, please take care of yourselves and your whānau, prioritise rest, good kai, and staying warm.
Kia noho haumaru, stay well, and enjoy the weekend ahead.
Junior Parent-Teacher/Whānau Interviews
This Tuesday 10 June
We invite all parents and whānau of our junior students to attend the upcoming Parent-Teacher/Whānau Interviews on Tuesday 10 June, from 3:30pm to 6:15pm in the School Hall.
To book your interview times, please use the following link:
🔗 https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/9kvkf
An email was sent out on Friday with details about your student’s teachers and subjects to help you make your bookings.
If you need assistance with the booking process, feel free to contact the school office during school hours on (06) 873 1133.
We look forward to seeing you there and working together to support your child’s learning journey.
HGHS Students Recognised as Award-Winning Authors!
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the success of our talented Pasifika students whose poetry has just received international recognition.
The Pasifika Navigators: Pasifika Student Poetry Collection, released in 2023, has been awarded the Children’s Book Award for Multiculturalism by the Australian School Library Association and the Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa Awards (ASLA DANZ). This prestigious award, presented in Melbourne, acknowledges the powerful voices and stories of our young Pasifika authors and what an honour it is to say that some of them come from right here at Hastings Girls' High School.
Congratulations to our incredible HGHS contributors: Lili Williams, Tanya Michael, Janet Selesele, Vaina Hunt, Faimafili Semisi, Mercy Ili, Anulagi Lila Lusiano and our current students Amelia Kerisiano and Janet Vaiusu. Your words have not only travelled across oceans but they’ve opened minds and hearts, earning you all the title of award-winning authors. Your voices, your culture, and your identity are being celebrated across the globe - what an incredible achievement!
This award is a powerful reminder of the strength, creativity, and value of Pasifika youth voices. It honours the unique perspectives of our students and affirms the importance of making space for our diverse stories in literature.
To all our contributors - past, present, and future - never stop writing, reflecting, and sharing who you are. Your stories matter. Your voices matter. And your journey as storytellers has only just begun.
Fa'amalo lava and ngā mihi nunui to all our amazing authors. We are so proud of you.
Meet our Runner of the Week
Every day, we rely on a responsible junior student (usually Year 9) to be our runner — delivering messages between teachers, parents, and classrooms. It’s a big job that requires willingness and a helpful attitude.
Starting now, we’ll be picking a Runner of the Week who goes above and beyond in this role. We will award her with a tuck shop voucher for their efforts
Last week, Elaina Edgecombe showed amazing enthusiasm and was always ready to help. Huge thanks to Elaina for her dedication!
Futureopoly Fun for Year 11!
On Wednesday, our Year 11s had an awesome time at the Futureopoly careers event! It was a hands-on, interactive day where students explored a wide range of career and business pathways right here in Hawke's Bay.
They earned Dingle Dollars by stepping out of their comfort zones, asking great questions, and getting involved at each business stall — then cashed them in for some fun goodies!
Huge thanks to the Dingle Foundation and all the incredible businesses and organisations who made this event possible. We’re so grateful for your support in helping shape the future workforce
Building Bridges – Literally!
On Thursday, our two Contemporary Innovation Pou classes had an exciting opportunity to put their STEM skills into action by building a cable-stay bridge.
Working alongside staff from Brian Perry Civil and former HGHS student Frances Spies — now an engineering cadet with WSP — students were challenged to apply their classroom learning to a real-world engineering scenario.
This hands-on experience was not only fun and engaging but also a valuable insight into the world of engineering and infrastructure. A huge thank you to Brian Perry Civil and Frances for inspiring the next generation of innovators!
Dreaming of a Career in Tourism or Hotel Management?
This week, our students got a taste of the industry from the best in the business — Queenstown Resort College (QRC) and Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS). Both schools offer exciting diplomas and degrees in hospitality management with paid internships as part of the package.
Even better? They run holiday taster programmes so you can experience campus life before making your big move next year.
We love seeing our girls explore pathways that can take them all over the world!
Interested? Pop in and chat with Maxine in T1 to find out more.
Year 10 Hubs Conquer Bell Rock!
Last Friday, our Year 10 Exploring the Great Outdoors Hubs headed out on a practice tramp to Bell Rock — a key step in preparing for their end-of-term Sunrise Hut adventure.
Despite windy conditions and plenty of mud, the girls showed grit, teamwork, and determination to reach the summit. It was a primo day of pushing limits, encouraging one another, and enjoying the stunning views that rewarded their efforts. Ka rawe, girls! We’re excited to see how this preparation pays off for your next big hike.
Exploring Nature and Teamwork in Our Final Outdoor Trip
Last week, the Year 9 Outdoors Hub completed their final trip of the year. The students worked collaboratively in groups to prepare meals brought from home which they then cooked using our camp stoves. They ventured into Blowhard Bush and discovered some caves that provided a unique cooking setting. The students demonstrated excellent preparation, teamwork, and safety throughout the day. It was a rewarding experience, despite a few slips on the muddy hills. A great way to conclude the year’s outdoor learning!
NEW: Homework Hub
Day: Fridays (last Friday of each month)
Time: 3:30–4:30pm
Where: Heretaunga Women’s Centre | Free
Looking for extra support with your studies or just a quiet space to work alongside others? The Heretaunga Women’s Centre has launched a Homework Hub — a safe, supportive space just for high school girls. Running once a month on the last Friday until the end of exams, the Homework Hub is a chance to connect with other students, revise together, ask questions, and help each other succeed.
Whether you're working on internals, preparing for externals, or just need a bit of motivation — come along and be part of a community that values learning and support. Everyone is welcome!
No cost, just bring your homework and a willingness to learn.
Netball Draw
University/Careers Visits
Wednesday 11 June - Girls in Hi-Vis - All day
Wednesday 18 June - Girls with Hi-Vis - All day
Monday 11 August - Whakapiki Ake Māori Science Students - Library
Thursday 15 August - University Of Canterbury Course Planning - 9.45am
Important Dates
Monday 9 June
International Languages Week
School Assembly
Tuesday 10 June
Gym visits - 10 Sports Science
Inter House Sport - Netball
Junior Parent/Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 11 June
Big Sing
Girls with Hi-Vis - Unison
Otago University Science Quiz
Waikato STEM Visits Nursing / Business Schools
Thursday 12 June
Year 9 Exploring the Outdoors Elective Atea a Rangi, White Pine and Waipataki
Friday 13 June
Teachers Vs Students Netball Game
Ngā Manu Kōrero
Senior Ball
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Monday 16 June
Matariki Celebrations Week
Student Lead Assembly
Tuesday 17 June
Pūhoro Wānanga Māpūrau
Wednesday 18 June
Girls with Hi-Vis - Fulton Hogan
Manukura Sports Exchange hosted by HGHS
Matariki Performance for the residence at Gracelands
Thursday 19 June
Gym visits 10 Sports Science
Friday 20 June
Public Holiday - Matariki
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
School Calendar
Menu - Week 7
