News ~ Pānui

Tēnā koutou katoa

Our Academic Assembly is a special occasion where we acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our 2025 students. As is tradition at Hastings Girls’ High School – Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina – the Principal reads a passage from the diary of our founding Principal, Miss Constance Miller. Miss Miller is the only Principal I did not have the privilege of meeting; I am connected in some way to all of the others, and as we journey through the year I will share more about those relationships.

Here is an extract from a prizegiving speech where Miss Miller shared her strong vision for the girls of this school:
 “It is generally accepted that these years at secondary school and a few years after are a time when your intelligence will peak – the memory is good and the brain is ready to amass knowledge and the skills of work.”

Miss Miller reminded us that daily habits are the greatest determining factor in whether we will be successful. She served as our first Principal from 1956 to 1967, and her words remain just as relevant today.

It was wonderful to see so many students walk across the stage to receive Certificate and Course Endorsements for Merit and Excellence. A Scholarship recognises the top scholars in a subject area across New Zealand – the very pinnacle of academic achievement. This year we were proud to receive three Scholarships:

Orepa Ta’a – Photography
Harshpreet Kaur – Painting
Nadia Morrell – Painting

We wish these students every success as they begin their university studies.

A Certificate Endorsement is awarded when a student attains 50 credits at Merit or Excellence across their year’s work. This can be achieved at Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.

A Course Endorsement is awarded when a student attains 14 or more Merit or Excellence credits in a subject in a single year. This recognises a student’s ability to truly shine in a particular learning area.

To be awarded either a Certificate or Course Endorsement, students must also have completed their literacy and numeracy co-requisite assessments. The first of these assessments will take place in May, Term 2.

Achieving Merit, Excellence, and Scholarship is not about luck. It is the result of strong daily habits and consistent action. If we look across these outstanding students, they all attend regularly – but what sets them apart is what they do in class. They approach each lesson with 100% engagement. They listen to learn, ask thoughtful questions, take purposeful notes, and review ideas regularly during study time or at home. They treat school and learning like their job, committing fully to growth and achievement each day. No excuses – they simply do the work.

If a student is aiming for an endorsement this year, we encourage them to talk with their Ākina Coach and subject teachers about this goal. When students, teachers and whānau work together with clear intentions and strong daily habits, they are far better positioned to achieve success. We look forward to partnering with families to support our young women as they set goals, build consistent study routines, and strive for excellence.

Well done to all of our students who gained an endorsement – you are stars.

It was a pleasure to celebrate alongside our whānau, sharing cake and photographs together at the conclusion of the Awards. Moments like these remind us of the power of partnership between home and school in supporting excellence.

I would also like to wish our Senior Debaters all the best for this weekend's Regional Debating Competition held at Karamū High School. Good luck to Elizabeth, Pippa, Niharika, Khushi and Paige - we know you’ll represent us with pride!

Ngā mihi nui
Lisa Akers