Term Three Week 10
Principal's Message
Kia ora e te whānau,
As we come to the end of Term 3, I want to take a moment to acknowledge what has been a busy and rewarding term for our kura.
This week has been particularly special as we celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Our ākonga led from the front, beginning with a student-led assembly that set the tone for a week filled with activities, performances, and pride in our language and culture. Their leadership and enthusiasm have been inspiring, and it was heartening to see so many students involved.
For our seniors, the pressure is well and truly on. The coming weeks are critical as external examinations approach in Week 5 of Term 4. It is vital that students use the holiday break to set up a solid revision programme. Finishing well is important, and we will continue to provide the support and encouragement needed to help them achieve their goals.
On a more personal note, I shared with staff, students, and the Board this week that I will be stepping down from my role as Principal of Hastings Girls’ High School – Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina at the end of January 2026. This was not an easy decision, as my heart is firmly with this kura and our community. However, I have accepted a new national role which will allow me to continue contributing to education in a different capacity. I will share more with you next term, but for now I want to assure you that our kura is in a very strong position with a clear vision, capable leadership, and extraordinary staff.
As we head into the break, I wish you all a safe and restful holiday. May it be filled with whānau time, a chance to recharge, and moments of joy. We look forward to seeing everyone back in Term 4, ready to finish the year strongly.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Catherine Bentley
Hastings Girls’ High School Principal Catherine Bentley Appointed to National Leadership Role
Hastings Girls’ High School - Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina will farewell Principal Catherine Bentley at the end of 2025, as she takes up a new national role as North Island Special Focus Leadership Advisor for Area and Composite Schools, beginning in January 2026.
Mrs Bentley has served as Principal for the past eight years, during which time the school has undergone significant transformation. Under her leadership, Hastings Girls’ has become nationally recognised for its innovative curriculum, its strong focus on equity and excellence, and its commitment to localised, culturally sustaining practice.
“While this has not been an easy decision, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to education in a wider context,” Mrs Bentley said. “This new role is also a reflection of the reputation Hastings Girls’ now holds across the motu. It is a recognition of the journey we have been on together - our staff, our students, and our community.”
Board Chair Brendon Jones acknowledged Mrs Bentley’s impact and leadership. “Catherine’s vision, commitment, and drive have positioned Hastings Girls’ as a leader in education, both locally and nationally. Her legacy is one of innovation, deep care and inspiring our future leaders. As a school, we remain firmly committed to single-sex girls’ education and to celebrating empowerment and cultural diversity that reflects the community we serve. “
“While we will miss her, we are incredibly proud that her expertise will now benefit schools right across Aotearoa.”
The Board of Trustees has confirmed that a thorough recruitment process for the next principal will begin shortly.
Year 10 Subject Selection for 2026
As our Year 9 students look ahead, it's an important time for them to consider their academic pathway. Subject selections for Year 10, 2026, are now underway, and we ask that you please take the time to discuss their choices with them.
We have sent information to both students and whānau via email, outlining the selection process and the subjects on offer. All selections must be completed by Thursday, 25 September.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact or@hastingsgirls.com
School Board Casual Vacancy for a Parent Representative
A casual vacancy has occurred on the school board for an elected parent representative.
The board has decided to fill the vacancy by selection.
If 10% or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.
Requests for a by-election should be sent to:
Presiding member Brendon Jones
Hastings Girls' High School - Ngā Tau Huia o Ākina Board of Trustees
admin@hastingsgirls.com
BY: 17 October 2025
School Policies
Our school works with SchoolDocs to provide a website for maintaining, updating, and reviewing our school policies. Different policies are under review each term and our school community can submit feedback. Follow the instructions below to contribute to the review.
Go to the SchoolDocs site for our school by clicking on this link: https://hastingsgirls.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
This will take you to Current review and review instructions.
Enter the username (hastingsgirls) and password (huia).
The policies listed here are the key policies under review this term. Click on the policy you want to review.
Click the “Start your review” button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
Follow the prompts to submit your review.
Note that you can review any policy that has a “Start your review” button, not just the key policies listed in Current review and review instructions. There will be other related policies in that section of the site open for review.
If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
This week, our kura proudly celebrated Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori with a series of events designed to honour and uplift te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori.
Our Huia Kaimanawa Committee led the charge, kicking off the week with a special school-wide assembly. Students shared the significance of the week and outlined the exciting programme ahead. From there, the week was filled with interactive activities for everyone to enjoy.
Students and staff were able to participate in a variety of kaupapa Māori events, including harakeke weaving, a thrilling Ki o Rahi/Poi Toa match, and lunchtime games. A special highlight was the delicious chocolate and maple syrup-covered fry bread, which was a huge hit!
The week's celebrations were a powerful reminder of the whakataukī our ākonga follow:
"Mā te honongā ka whai kaha" - Through Connection we find strength
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini" - My success is not the work of one, but the work of many
"Whaia te matauranga he oranga mō kōutou" - Seek after learning for the sake of your well-being
This sense of unity and collective strength truly resonated throughout our school as we celebrated the beauty and vitality of te reo Māori together.
Ngā mihi nui ki te hunga katoa i whai wāhi mai ki te whakanui i te reo Māori!
Celebrating Our Career Navigators!
We're so proud of our students who recently completed the Career Navigator Programme with the Graeme Dingle Foundation. It was a day to celebrate their hard work and growth as they explored different career paths and built valuable skills.
The programme was a fantastic opportunity for our rangatahi to learn everything from writing a stand-out CV and acing interviews to discovering what's important to them in a career.
A big highlight was the site visit to Unison's Fernhill training site, where our students got a unique, hands-on experience, including climbing power poles! They also got an exclusive tour of Unison's head office to see the different roles that make the company tick.
The day wrapped up with mock interviews, where mentors from local businesses, including Unison, gave students positive feedback and helped them feel more confident about their future job interviews.
A massive thank you to the Graeme Dingle Foundation and Unison for their dedication and for providing such a valuable and enjoyable experience for our students. We're excited to see what these future leaders achieve next!
School Calendar
Term 4 is always a fantastic and full-on term, and we're looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our students. Please keep an eye on our newsletter and social media for information about upcoming prizegivings and end-of-year events.
School Calendar Link