Term Two Week 10

Over the coming weeks, I will be meeting with our Year 8 students who will become our Year 9 cohort in 2027. As part of my preparation, I’ve been spending time around the school at lunchtimes, asking many of you what you think I should be sharing with them. One comment really stood out. A student said “At Hastings Girls’ High School, there is something for everyone.” This powerful statement has inspired this week’s Pānui.

I was incredibly impressed by our Showquest group, who performed on Monday night. The storyline was engaging, and the rich history of Hastings Girls’ High School was beautifully portrayed through their performance. A special mention goes to Sharon Faalelea, who performed Rise Up with truly amazing vocals.

Our Manu Huia rōpū are heading away to nationals on Sunday. Your commitment to practice has been outstanding, and I know you will represent your whānau, your tūpuna, your iwi, your hapū, and our kura with pride. Remember, we are all behind you. I look forward to travelling to watch and support you. Kia kaha to each of you.

A big congratulations also to Hiria Tangaere, who represented us at Ngā Manu Kōrero last Friday. Speaking first is never easy, and you stepped up to that challenge with courage. We are very proud of you.

Throughout this term, I’ve been visiting our different sports codes, and I want to thank the students who take the time to say hello. I love sport; when I was a student here, I was heavily involved in netball, football, tennis, and running. Research shows that students involved in sport often experience stronger learning outcomes and better wellbeing. I encourage all of you to get involved, stay active and build healthy habits. You may have heard the saying: “Healthy body, healthy mind.” To all of you already participating, keep up the great work.

Our Senior Student Leaders have been working on a legacy project that reflects our school’s core purpose of learning, and I am delighted to share the outcome of their hard work. Following their proposal, the Board has approved the introduction of the Academic Blazer, a new recognition celebrating sustained academic excellence at Hastings Girls’ High School. The Academic Blazer will be awarded to students who achieve an NCEA Excellence Endorsement at both Level 1 and Level 2, requiring them to earn at least 50 Excellence credits at each level. This is a significant achievement that recognises not only academic ability, but also the dedication, perseverance and consistent effort required to perform at such a high standard across two years of study. Our current Year 13 students who have met these criteria will be the first recipients of the Academic Blazer and will be presented with their blazers at the beginning of next term. We are incredibly proud of our student leaders for championing this initiative and creating a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations of HGHS students to strive for academic excellence. Remember Ākina – strive for excellence.

It was a privilege to welcome back two of our former students today to speak with students considering careers in the health sector. Dr Hena Dugh, who attended Hastings Girls’ High School until 2018, shared her inspiring journey from HGHS to the University of Auckland, where she completed her first year of Biomedical Science before continuing her medical studies to become a doctor. Today, Hena serves our community as a doctor at Hawke’s Bay Hospital, and we are incredibly proud of all she has achieved. It is always a pleasure to welcome Hena back to school. Whether speaking at assembly or meeting with students in smaller groups, she has a wonderful ability to inspire our young women to dream big and pursue careers in health. We were also delighted to welcome back Julie Luong, who graduated from HGHS in 2023. Julie completed her first year of Health Sciences at the University of Otago and is now in her second year of a four-year Pharmacy degree. Many of our current students remember Julie from her time at HGHS, making it especially meaningful to hear about her university experiences and the pathway she has taken. A heartfelt thank you to both Hena and Julie for generously giving up their time to return to Hastings Girls’ High School. By sharing their journeys so openly, they have provided our students with invaluable insight into university life and careers in health. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support of our school and for being such outstanding role models for the next generation of HGHS students.

On Friday morning, Rob Orr and I had the privilege of attending a very special Matariki celebration at Hastings Boys’ High School. This was a significant occasion, marking the first time the school has formally celebrated Matariki in its 102-year history, and we felt honoured to be invited to share in this milestone. We gathered at 6.30am on the grass in front of the Hall, where nine burning braziers represented the nine stars of the Matariki cluster. Led by Head of Te Reo, Josh, the ceremony included karakia and waiata, with students sharing the stories of each of the Matariki stars and explaining the significance of this special time in the Māori calendar. Matariki marks the Māori New Year and is a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present, and look forward with hope and intention for the year ahead. A particularly moving part of the ceremony was the whāngai i te hautapu, where the stars were fed with the steam from food. This special tradition acknowledges the blessings and abundance of the past year while expressing gratitude and hopes for the year ahead. It was a privilege to take part in this ceremony alongside Mr Summerfield and Whaea Tania before we gathered in the warmth of the Hall to share kai. We extend our sincere thanks to Hastings Boys’ High School for their generous hospitality and for including us in such a meaningful and memorable celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our two schools while reflecting on the values of Matariki. Although our students are on holiday for the official Matariki public holiday, we look forward to celebrating Matariki together as a school community at the beginning of next term. It will be an opportunity for us to reflect, celebrate and embrace the values of renewal, remembrance and hope that Matariki represents.

As we head into the final week of term, I encourage all of our students to finish strongly and make the most of the many learning opportunities still ahead. Thank you to our staff, students and whānau for your continued support. Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to sharing more of our students’ successes with you soon.

Ngā manaakitanga
Lisa Akers

On Friday, we welcomed a group of Year 8 students from Heretaunga Intermediate to Hastings Girls’ High School for a morning of learning and discovery. The students enjoyed experiencing life as a high school student by participating in engaging lessons across our Science, Performing Arts and Technology departments. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to get involved, and we hope they left feeling excited about the opportunities that await them as they begin thinking about their secondary school journey.

Our senior students are currently taking time in their Ākina classes to reflect on the progress they have made towards their academic goals this year. These reflections provide an important opportunity for students to celebrate their successes, identify areas for improvement, and discuss any additional support they may need to achieve their goals. Students will meet individually with their Ākina Coaches over the coming weeks, and a summary of these conversations will be included in senior reports, which will be sent home in Week 4 of Term 3.

As we look ahead, Term 3 is one of the busiest and most significant terms in the academic calendar. Students will be completing a number of NCEA internal assessments, many will sit another round of Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite Assessments, and benchmark examinations at the end of the term will provide valuable preparation for the end-of-year external examinations. We encourage students to stay organised, seek support when needed, and continue building positive study habits.

Our junior students are also approaching the end of a busy assessment period. Term 2 assessments are now wrapping up and will be marked over the holiday break, ready to be included in reports early next term. With just one week remaining, we encourage all students to finish the term with focus and determination. Completing outstanding work now will ensure they can enjoy a well-earned mid-year break before returning refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning.

The School Board is currently developing our next Strategic Plan and would like to hear from students, whānau, staff, alumni, and our wider community. Your feedback will help identify what matters most to our community and ensure our future priorities reflect the aspirations of those we serve.

Complete the survey here: Link to Survey

The survey takes approximately 1-2 minutes to complete and closes on 10 July. Every voice matters.

Kia ora koutou

We are pleased to share an update on the exciting learning and developments happening in the Mathematics Department this term. It has been a busy and productive time, with students engaging deeply in a wide range of mathematical concepts and activities.

Across all year levels, our students have been building confidence and sharpening their skills in key areas of mathematics:

• Junior Hubs have been exploring number knowledge and strategies alongside measurement and geometry. A strong focus has been placed on problem-solving and explaining mathematical thinking, helping students develop deep conceptual understanding rather than just procedural skills.
• During the first three weeks of the term, junior students were placed in targeted classes to either bridge specific gaps in their knowledge or extend their prior understanding. We are thrilled to report that testing in Week 8 showed outstanding improvements across the board!
• Senior Students (Years 11–13) have been working hard on preparing for NCEA internal assessments and for the Numeracy Common Assessment Activity (CAA), strengthening essential algebra, calculus, and statistics skills and applying mathematical concepts, such as Number and Measurement, to real-life contexts.

We are particularly proud of how our students are learning to persevere through challenging problems and grow resilience when they don’t find success on their first attempt.

This term, we have continued to emphasise a growth mindset, clear communication, and utilising multiple strategies to solve problems. Students are regularly encouraged to show their working clearly, explain why their answers make sense and ask questions and take risks in their learning. These critical-thinking skills are essential not only in mathematics but across all areas of life.

We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the students who have shown excellent effort and consistent improvement, those who have demonstrated fantastic resilience and perseverance, all the students who contribute positively to class discussions and group work and the whānau support at home, which plays a huge role in student success. Even short, regular conversations about maths can make a massive difference. Whānau can support their child’s mathematical journey by encouraging them to explain their thinking to you, practising basic facts regularly (especially vital for our junior students), asking open questions such as: “How did you work that out?” or “Can you solve it a different way?”, ensuring homework is completed, or that the day’s mahi is reviewed. Providing them with a scientific calculator is an essential tool for their success.

Next term, our focus will shift toward introducing algebra to our junior students, preparing senior students for upcoming external benchmarks and the second round of the Numeracy Exam (CAA) and providing ongoing opportunities for both extension and targeted learning support.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with their teacher.

At Hastings Girls’, we know that being your best self in the classroom starts with feeling your best on the inside and out. Behind the scenes, we have a small but incredibly passionate Hauora (Wellbeing) team dedicated to lifting up our girls when they face life’s inevitable challenges, whether it’s a hurdle with mental wellbeing or a physical health struggle.

Our little village consists of our School Nurse (absent from photo), two part-time Counsellors, a part-time Youth Worker, and Anthea, our Hauora Coach. Together, we are here to ensure no student has to walk through a tough patch alone.

If you or your daughter needs a helping hand, reaching out to us is simple, safe, and confidential.

Connecting with a Hauora Coach, Counsellor, or Youth Worker
If you’d like to sit down and chat with one of our wellbeing team members, there are two easy ways to get in touch:
Through your support network: Simply chat with your Ākina Coach, Dean, SLT, or any of your Teachers. They can quietly pass a referral along to us.
The direct note: You can slip a note right under the office door of Anthea (our Hauora Coach). Just write down your name, year level, and Ākina Coach.
What happens next? Once we receive your note or referral, we will reach out. For juniors, a runner will bring a slip to your class to call you down. For seniors, we might send you an email to coordinate a good time. Please keep in mind that because we want to give everyone our full attention, it can take about 7 to 10 days for us to book you in.

Visiting the School Nurse
If it’s physical health support you need, our School Nurse is ready to help. To keep the clinic running smoothly, we have a few different pathways:

Seniors: Please send a quick email to so we can coordinate a time that fits around your schedule.
Juniors: You can email the nurse, or pop by the clinic during your morning tea or lunch breaks to self-refer.

All Students: You can always ask your Ākina Coach, Dean, SLT, or Teacher to help arrange an appointment for you. Depending on how busy the clinic is, you might be seen that same day or within a few days.

Please note: If a student is experiencing a health emergency, they will always be seen immediately.

The safety of our students is always our highest priority, and we are asking for the support of our school community to help keep everyone safe at the end of the school day.

Recently, we have observed a number of students attempting to cross Pakowhai Road outside of the designated pedestrian crossing in order to meet parents or caregivers. Unfortunately, this has resulted in several near misses with passing traffic.

We ask all parents and caregivers to remind their child to use the pedestrian crossing at all times, regardless of where they are being picked up. If you are waiting on the opposite side of the road, please encourage your child to walk to the crossing rather than crossing directly through traffic.

By working together and modelling safe practices, we can help ensure every student gets home safely each day. Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.

What an incredible night at Showquest 2026!

Our students delivered a powerful and creative performance that captivated the audience and judges alike, earning an outstanding 3rd Place overall, as well as awards for Excellence in Culture, Excellence in Music (Live Music), and Recognition in Technology (Video Design). To top it all off, Sharon Faalelea was awarded Whetū Rangatahi – Star of the Show for her absolutely phenomenal vocals and stage presence.

A very special acknowledgement must go to our Performing Arts Captain, Maddee Marsh, whose leadership, dedication and talent were instrumental in the success of this year’s production. Maddee choreographed the entire performance and independently led countless rehearsals, inspiring and supporting her fellow performers every step of the way. Her passion, commitment and hard work were evident in every aspect of the show.

We are also incredibly proud of every student involved. Throughout the preparation process and on the day itself, our students represented Hastings Girls’ High School with pride and embodied our school values. They supported one another, worked tirelessly as a team, and showcased the very best of our school community.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this year’s production. Your creativity, talent, resilience and teamwork have made our school incredibly proud. Showquest 2026 will certainly be remembered as a remarkable achievement for Hastings Girls’ High School.

We were thrilled to welcome Cancer Society and Relay for Life committee member, Rizwaan Latiff, to our Assembly earlier in the week to present Volunteer Support Certificates to four incredible students. A massive congratulations to Khushi Bijalwan, Soraya Palipane, Niharika Bukka, and Niranjana Subhash for their outstanding community dedication!
Congratulations girls you make our school community so proud!

Our Level 3 Physical Education students recently enjoyed an action-packed few days in Rotorua, combining adventure with valuable learning opportunities.

Throughout the trip, students continued preparing for their upcoming 10km Run assessment, making the most of their free time to complete training sessions and build their fitness. Alongside this, they explored key concepts in outdoor education, including risk management, leadership styles, and safe participation in challenging environments.

A highlight of the trip was putting these skills into practice on the thrilling white-water rapids of the Kaituna River. Students were challenged to apply their leadership and decision-making skills in a real-world setting while working together as a team.

The experience provided an excellent opportunity for students to develop confidence, resilience, and practical outdoor education skills while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

As we approach the end of next week, we will be saying goodbye to eight wonderful Brazilian students who have been a vibrant part of our school community throughout Terms 1 and 2:

Anna, Antonia, Dafni, Fernanda, Laura, Maria, Mariah and Mariana.

While we are sad to see them leave, we are incredibly grateful for the energy, enthusiasm and cultural richness they have brought to Hastings Girls’ High School. It has been a privilege to share our school, our community and our region with them, and to watch them embrace every opportunity that their New Zealand experience has offered.

One of the most rewarding aspects of their journey has been seeing their confidence and English language skills grow. Their progress has been remarkable. In fact, just this morning, one of the girls walked into the International Office and announced that she was a “frozen zombie” because of the frost! Moments like these remind us just how far they have come.

A huge thank you must go to our ESOL and English language teachers, whose dedication, expertise and encouragement have played a significant role in helping these students achieve such outstanding progress. Their support has made a lasting difference to the girls’ learning and overall experience.

Although it is difficult to say goodbye, we are incredibly proud of all that these students have achieved during their time with us. We wish them every success as they return home and embark on their next adventures.

Haere rā, and thank you for being such a special part of our school whānau.

As we farewell one group, our International Department continues to thrive. Next term we are excited to welcome three new students, along with another eight students who will be joining us for Terms 3 and 4. We will also be hosting a short-term group from Waseda University in Japan, as well as another short-term Japanese student.

To support our growing international programme, we are always looking for new homestay families. In particular, we are currently seeking families without pets who may be interested in hosting either short-term or longer-term students. Hosting is a rewarding experience that allows families to build lifelong connections and share in a unique cultural exchange.

If you are interested in becoming a homestay family, application forms are available on our school website, or you can contact us at for more information.

While we farewell our Brazilian students, we would also like to acknowledge our other international students, Kanhchana and Mubashra, who continue to work hard towards their NZQA goals and are already preparing for their end-of-year examinations. We are proud of their commitment, perseverance and focus.

Thank you to our school community for your ongoing support of our international programme.

Jen Fugle
International Director

Our students had an incredibly special visit to Frimley School last Thursday to share the books they wrote about their respective cultures.

The Frimley students were a fantastic audience, listening beautifully and asking great questions about everything from traditional Filipino clothing to favourite foods. Mrs Beatty said “It was a proud moment for me as a teacher to see our students speak so confidently about their identity”. The visit wrapped up with an adorable song and dance performance from our hosts that had everyone smiling.

An absolutely wonderful day of learning and connection. So incredibly proud of our students!

This week our intrepid Year 10 Debating Team of Vardeep, Riddhi, and Anamika travelled to Karamū High School to compete in their first inter-school debate of the season.

The prepared moot was: “This House believes teenagers are being manipulated by social media algorithms and do not even know it.”

Our team took the negative side of the debate, arguing that while social media can certainly be influential, teenagers are not simply manipulated by algorithms—they are active participants who exercise choice and agency in how they engage online. The debate developed into an interesting clash between the concepts of addiction and manipulation, with both teams presenting thoughtful and well-researched arguments.

Karamū responded with some strong counter-arguments and several highly persuasive speakers, ultimately taking the win by just five points.

This was an outstanding effort from our students, especially considering it was both their first debate round of the year and their first experience competing in front of an audience outside of school. They represented Hastings Girls’ High School with confidence, courage, and respect, and should be incredibly proud of their performance.

A huge thank you to Karamū High School for hosting us and for the wonderful hospitality and manaakitanga shown to our team throughout the afternoon. We look forward to the next round!

We are so incredibly close to the end of the term, everyone! As we all count down the days to a well-deserved break, we want to give a massive shout-out to two absolute superstars.

A huge congratulations to Alissa Waerea and Esther Nu’umau for achieving 100% attendance this term! Showing up every single day is no small feat, and your dedication is seriously impressive.

Enjoy your well-earned sushi vouchers, girls!

Students who will be in Years 12 and 13 in 2027 are encouraged to consider applying for the University of Otago’s popular Hands-On at Otago programme.

This unique opportunity gives students the chance to experience university life firsthand during a week-long residential programme in Dunedin. Participants stay in one of Otago’s residential colleges and choose a subject area to explore for the week. With more than 20 subjects available across Business, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences, students can gain valuable insight into potential future study and career pathways.

As well as attending academic sessions, students will meet like-minded students from schools throughout New Zealand, experience life on a university campus, and take part in a range of activities designed to challenge, inspire and prepare them for their final years of secondary school.

The programme will run from Sunday 17 January to Friday 22 January 2027.

Places are highly sought after, and applications are competitive. Students are encouraged to take time with their application and clearly explain why they would benefit from being selected.

For further information, including programme costs, scholarships, accommodation details, fundraising ideas and transport options, visit the Hands-On at Otago webpage or speak to the Careers Team.

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