Term Four Week 9
Principal's Message
Kia ora e te whānau
As we reach the final days of the school year, and my final pānui as Principal, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to leave a place better than you found it. Not in the grand, dramatic sense — but in the quiet, steady way that happens through people, values, and the daily choices we make together.
At this time of year, surrounded by the spirit of Christmas, we’re reminded that hope is born in simple things: kindness offered without expectation, generosity that lifts another person, the courage to believe in better days ahead. These are not just seasonal ideas — they are the foundations of legacy. And if there is one thing I have learned here, it is that legacy lives in people, not buildings or plans. It is shaped in the countless moments when someone chooses to act with manaakitanga, to welcome a newcomer, to check in on a student, to do the right thing when nobody is looking.
Over the years, I have watched this community quietly transform itself into a place where identity is treasured, where belonging matters, and where aspirations are not limited by circumstance. That is your legacy — not mine alone — but ours, carried collectively by kaiako who give their whole hearts, by students who rise again and again, and by whānau who entrust their daughters to us with such faith.
As I step into a new chapter, I carry immense gratitude. I leave knowing that the seeds we planted together will continue to grow — in your curriculum, your culture, your leadership, and in the way you look after one another. The next leader will inherit not just a school, but a community with a strong heartbeat, a clear direction, and a deep sense of purpose.
As we head into the Christmas season and the summer break, my hope for you all is simple:
That you find rest.
That you find joy.
And that you continue to believe in the power of what we can create together when we lead with values first, always.
Thank you for the privilege of serving this community. It has shaped me more deeply than I ever expected, and I will forever carry the feathers of this place — Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina — with pride.
Meri Kirihimete, ngā manaakitanga o te wā
Catherine Bentley
Final Week Celebrations & Reports
We have a busy final week ahead and we are looking forward to honouring the hard work and dedication that defines our students and strengthens our community.
Final Week Celebrations
Tuesday 9 Dec: Junior Assembly – Junior students and staff will celebrate the dedication and values demonstrated by the recipients of our prestigious Ākina Gold Badges.
Wednesday 10 Dec: Prize Giving Rehearsal – A necessary rehearsal for all recipients to ensure our final day runs smoothly and honours the achievements with the respect they deserve.
Thursday 11 Dec: Junior Prize Giving – Our final day of school concludes with this very special occasion! The ceremony will run from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm. This is when we celebrate academic excellence and the outstanding commitment of our junior students.
All prize winners have been emailed an invitation.
Attendance is compulsory for all students as we close the year by celebrating our collective success. School will finish immediately following the conclusion of the Prize Giving ceremony.
Please Note: Junior student reports will also be emailed out to all whānau next Thursday (the final day of school).
Please ensure you stay connected with us! All essential information regarding the start of the 2026 academic year will be shared across our school website and social media channels.
Ngā mihi nui for your fantastic support this year!
Our Students Gear Up for FIRST Robotics!
Over the last few weeks, a dedicated and diverse group of our young women has been passionately preparing for the challenging FIRST Robotics Secondary School Competition!
This competition is a fantastic showcase of problem-solving, technology, and teamwork, highlighting the cutting-edge learning happening within our school. We are excited to see their hard work and creativity in action next weekend, 13-14 December, at Havelock North Intermediate.
We also want to extend a massive thank you to Lucknow Primary School and Havelock North High School for their incredible collaboration and support with our robot yesterday.
Wishing you all the best of luck for next weekend!
HGHS Ākonga Reflect, Connect, and Grow
This term, our Year 9 and 10 students embarked on a profound Moana journey, utilising the innovative Kaitiaki Series. By journeying alongside Maia, our students explored the essence of Kaitiakitanga: understanding the importance of bravery, courage, and caring for our support systems.
Through Maia's relationship with his Nan and whānau, our ākonga learned a vital lesson in building emotional strength, resilience, and trust—core attributes we nurture within our safe school environment. Inspired by this narrative, our students showcased their learning by creating and sharing their own Kaitiaki narratives, celebrating the people who uplift them and shape their sense of identity and belonging.
We extend our sincere thanks to Puri Hauiti for the creativity and vision behind this meaningful learning platform. This collaborative mahi offers our tamariki an enriching pathway to connect, reflect, and grow.
Here is the link for more information:
https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/2025/10/nga-ahikapuni-reigniting-fires-in-schools/
Innovation, Diversity, and Academic Excellence on Display!
Well done to our incredible presentations from our Y9 and Y10 Junior English Language students today. In an academically innovative, expo-style event, our students showcased their research projects focused on animals from their heritage countries and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The students demonstrated exceptional academic rigour, diving deep into the animals' physical characteristics, habitats, food webs, and the rich pūrākau (traditional stories) connected to them. This project beautifully highlights the diversity we celebrate here at Hastings Girls' High School, catering to all students through engaging and relevant learning.
It was wonderful to welcome whānau, fellow students, staff, and representatives from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to listen and support our girls.
A massive congratulations to our students for their hard work and outstanding presentations!
Congratulations Janet Vaiusu
Congratulations Janet Vaiusu who has received a HB Careers Expo Scholarship.
This scholarship is for an all-round student who is the first in their family to study at a tertiary level and has shown significant contribution to the school and community.
This year, Janet has held the leadership role of Sports Captain at HGHS, and has led our Samoan Cultural Group. She has headed our school Sports Council and Captained our 1st XV Rugby Team, as well as the Moana Bay Team that toured France in September 2025. Outside of school, Janet plays for the MAC Rugby Club and has represented Hawke's Bay in U18 Rugby.
Janet is proud of her Samoan heritage and regularly participates in cultural performances at school. In 2024, she had a poem published in The Pasifika Navigators, which won the ASLA Children's Book Award for Multiculturalism and the DANZ Award. In this piece, she shared her perspective as a Pacific Islander living in Aotearoa. In her community, Janet has volunteered as a youth leader on several programmes.
Janet will be attending the University of Waikato in 2026 to study a Bachelor of Arts. We know that with her combination of impressive leadership skills, strong work ethic, and determination, Janet will excel, and we look forward to seeing where the future takes her.
100% Attendance Superstars
A massive congratulations to our 100% Attendance Superstars, TayShaarn and Deanar! Your unwavering commitment to being present every single day is truly inspiring. Enjoy your well-deserved sushi vouchers!
We are incredibly proud of your achievement!
Calling Coaches & Managers
Do you have a passion for sport and mentoring our rangatahi? Hastings Girls' High School is seeking enthusiastic Coaches and Managers to join our Whānau for the 2026 sports season.
We are particularly seeking Coaches for our Netball Senior A and Junior A teams!
Help us empower our students to build character, teamwork, and leadership—both on and off the field.
Make a meaningful difference. Express your interest now!
Time to Return Sports Uniform
Thank you to all our incredible students for an outstanding year of commitment, teamwork, and participation across our sports programmes! Seeing you represent our school is always a highlight, affirming our commitment to catering to the unique talents and passions of every girl.
Now that the season has wrapped, we have an important, administrative request: All 2025 Sports Uniforms must be returned immediately.
Please drop off to either the Student Centre or Main Office.
Lunch Menu - Week 10
