Term Four Week 5
Principal's Message
Kia ora e te whānau o Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina,
This week marked the first week of NCEA examinations, and it has been wonderful to see so many of our senior students arriving calm, focused, and prepared. Our teachers have continued to provide tutorials and revision support, and I want to acknowledge the dedication of both staff and students who are putting in the extra effort to finish the year well.
While our seniors are busy with exams, our focus for our junior students remains on attendance and engagement. Every day matters — especially at this stage of the term — as we move into assessment, preparation for prizegiving, and planning for 2026. I ask that whānau continue to encourage your daughters to attend every day, arrive on time, and remain fully involved in school life right through to the end of the term.
Next week, we look forward to welcoming Gisborne Girls’ High School for our annual sports exchange — always a highlight of the year and a chance to connect through friendly competition and shared spirit. With only 5 weeks left of the school year, please remember to keep an eye on the 'Important Dates' section below to ensure you are all aware of upcoming activities, trips and teacher only days.
A reminder also to please return any school sports uniforms that may still be at home. These items are needed for upcoming events and to ensure we can prepare for next year’s season. Your help in returning these promptly is much appreciated.
We are also mindful of the measles outbreak in parts of Aotearoa. While we do not currently have any confirmed cases in Hawke’s Bay, we are taking precautions. Please take a moment to check your daughter’s vaccination status and ensure you have evidence of immunisation on hand should we need to verify this quickly. Keeping our community safe relies on us all being prepared.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. It’s a busy but exciting time as we celebrate achievements, plan for the year ahead, and ensure our kura continues to thrive.
Ngā mihi nui
Catherine Bentley
Celebrating Our 2025 Gateway Students
Last week, we proudly celebrated the achievements of our Year 12 and 13 students in the Gateway Programme with a special end-of-year morning tea and awards ceremony.
Congratulations to all 57 students who completed the programme this year. Each one of you demonstrated courage and determination as you stepped into industry placements — gaining real-world experience and building skills that will serve you well beyond school.
It was inspiring to see your confidence grow as you embraced the challenges of the workplace and rose to meet them. We are incredibly proud of your progress and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.
Ngā mihi nui to all the employers, whānau, and staff who supported our students throughout their placements. Your guidance and encouragement made a real difference.
Important Dates
Monday 10 November
NCEA External Exams
Tuesday 11 November
Gisborne Girls' High Junior Sports Exchange
Junior Leaders at Frimley School
Wednesday 12 November
Year 10 Outdoors Hub - River Day
Thursday 13 November
Year 9 Creative World Hub - Art Trip to Napier
Friday 14 November
Teachers Only Day - HB Secondary Schools
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Monday 17 November
NCEA External Exams
Teacher Only Day - Curriculum Planning
Tuesday 18 November
Yr 9 Outdoors Hub - Overnight Rivers
International Students - Estuary Walk & Centennial Gardens
Pūhoro Tauira - Year 10s
Wednesday 19 November
HGHS BOT Meeting
Thursday 20 November
Year 10 Visual Arts Elective Napier Art Trip
Friday 21 November
Year 10 Visual Arts Elective Napier Art Trip
School Calendar
A key change this term is that our senior students are now on study leave, dedicating this time to final preparations for their upcoming exams. We wish them all the very best with their studies!
We're also looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our junior students. Please keep an eye on our pānui and social media for information about upcoming prizegivings and end-of-year events.
School Calendar Link
Lunch Menu - Week 6
