Term Two Week 7
Principal's Message
Kia ora e te whānau
This week we proudly celebrated International Language Week — a powerful and humbling experience for our kura. It was heartening to see our ākonga stand with pride, speaking in their heritage languages. Ngā mihi nui to all our ākonga and whānau who contributed and supported this special celebration.
Thank you to all the whānau who attended our Junior Parent-Teacher Interviews this week, especially on the cold winter evening. It was great to see you and have you all here at kura.
Congratulations and thank you to the talented staff and ākonga who participated in The Big Sing this week. This was a great opportunity for our ākonga to participate and observe in an event with such incredible talent. Kei runga noa atu!
To finish off the week, we are proud to have one of our ākonga, Lani Kawana, representing HGHS in the Korimako section of Ngā Manu Kōrero. We wish her all the very best. This is a moment of pride for our kura and an inspiration for us all.
Finally, I’m looking forward to celebrating with our senior girls and their partners at the Annual School Ball this evening. This is always a highlight, a chance to acknowledge the journey and growth of our kōhine over the years. I can’t wait to see them shine in their beautiful dresses and enjoy this well-deserved evening of celebration.
Ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa
Pippa Yule Joins 2025 Lower North Island Debating Squad
Congratulations to Pippa Yule, Year 11, who has been selected for the 2025 Lower North Island Regional Development Squad to be run over Terms 2 and 3. Students were selected based on their performances at the regional tournaments earlier this year. We were very impressed with the talent and commitment Pippa showed over the weekend.
This Development Squad is a formalisation of various development squads that have run over the past five years and includes students from the Central North Island, Hawke’s Bay and Kahurangi-Marlborough. We are aiming to narrow the access gap between these regions and those that have frequent schools’ debating events for development, such as Wellington and Auckland. Our hope is that students will share their coaching within school clubs and their school teams, and we would also be keen to pass on our coaching resources to teachers in the region.
The Regional Development Squad will be coached by Saad Aamir and Olivia Simpson with the chance to hear from other talented speakers and coaches throughout the programme. Saad coached the 2025 Wellington Gold Team and Olivia coached the 2024 Kahurangi-Marlborough and 2025 Hawke’s Bay Team. Good Luck Pippa!
Level 2 Health Students Show Kindness to New Mothers
As part of their Health studies, our Level 2 students were asked to work in groups and take action to support people’s well-being — either at school or in the wider community.
Mary, Marama, and Myrah decided to help new mothers. They planned and created care kits with helpful items to support rest and recovery after giving birth. To raise the money for these kits, they ran a very successful brownie fundraiser.
Last week, the girls visited the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Birthing Unit. They met some of the new māmā and gave them the care kits in person — a really special and heartwarming experience.
Ka rawe kōtiro mā – what a beautiful example of manaakitanga in action!
Maia van den Berk Named National Performance Winner
A huge congratulations to Maia van den Berk who has been named the Overall Winner of the Pony Breeders Society of NZ Performance Competition for 2024/2025!
Riding her pony, Brookfields Dream Dancer, Maia competed in the Senior Section and the Showing Section, taking top honours in both. Her combined points across all areas of the competition placed her at the top of the leaderboard — earning her the prestigious title of Overall Performance Winner.
This national competition celebrates the best young riders and New Zealand-bred ponies across a range of disciplines including showing, dressage, show jumping, and more.
Well done, Maia — we are so proud of your success and the mana you bring to our school and the wider equestrian community!
Free Event:
Help for Parents to Understand Schools in NZ
Saturday 21 June, 2:00–4:00pm | 77 Tait Drive, Napier
Do you find it hard to understand how schools in New Zealand work? Do you want to know how to talk with teachers or support your child’s learning?
Come along to Session 2: Communications with Schools, part of the MCAHB Learning Community Hub. This free event is for ethnic parents and families in Hawke’s Bay who want help to better understand the New Zealand education system. The session will be easy to follow and supportive.
- Learn how schools communicate
- Ask questions in a friendly space
- Enjoy free refreshments
- Meet helpful speakers and staff
RSVP now: https://www.mcahb.org.nz/upcoming-events.html
This session is part of a Ministry of Education programme supporting ethnic communities in Hawke’s Bay.
Netball Draw
University/Careers Visits
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
Te Paewai o Te Rangi 2025
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is excited to invite you to apply for Te Paewai o Te Rangi. Te Paewai o Te Rangi is a 5-day scholarship programme providing Year 13 Māori students with the opportunity to experience student life at Te Herenga Waka and explore the capital city.
We will cover selected students' cost of travel to Wellington and back home, accommodation, and kai whilst here with us.
The programme takes place from Tuesday 19 August to Saturday 23 August. Applications close at 5pm, Monday 30 June.
Massey University Scholarships
Important Dates
Monday 16 June
Matariki Celebrations Week
Student-Led 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 residents at Gracelands
Thursday 19 June
Gym visits 10 Sports Science
Friday 20 June
Public Holiday - Matariki
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Monday 23 June
House Assembly
Year 9 Outdoor Hub Day Trip
Tuesday 24 June
Frimley Kapa Haka Performance @ Frimley
Junior English Language Whānau Evening #1
Thursday 26 June
Year 10 Outdoor Hub Bush Overnighter
Junior English Language Whānau Evening #2
Pasifika Leadership
Friday 27 June
Rugby Exchange St Peters and Cambridge High School
Farewell Celebration for our Brazilian Students
Interhouse Netball
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 8
