News ~ Pānui

November 29, 2024

Term Four Week 7

Message from the Principal

Tēnā koutou katoa

As Term Four progresses, we continue to celebrate the achievements and opportunities for learning at Hastings Girls’ High School – Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina.

Our senior students have now completed their external examinations, marking the culmination of their hard work and preparation. It has been inspiring to see the determination and resilience they have shown throughout this important period, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts. This milestone is a testament to their commitment to achieving their goals and we wish them all the best as they take their next steps.

The Outdoor Hub has had an incredible term, highlighted by a fantastic trip to Taupō. This adventure offered students a hands-on opportunity to apply their learning through team-building activities, practical challenges, and leadership opportunities. Taupō’s stunning environment provided the perfect backdrop for this experience and it was wonderful to see our students demonstrating the values of collaboration, perseverance and enthusiasm. They represented the school with pride and made the most of this enriching experience.

Next week, we are excited to host Frimley and Mahora Schools for the Ki o Rahi tournament. This event is a special opportunity for our students to take the lead, hosting and facilitating as part of their learning this term. The preparation for this event has been a fantastic way for our students to develop their organisational and interpersonal skills while celebrating the importance of sport and cultural connection. We look forward to a day of friendly competition and whakawhanaungatanga as their hard work comes to life.

As always, we encourage whānau to keep an eye on the school calendar and our social media channels for updates on upcoming events and celebrations. Your support makes all the difference and we look forward to continuing to share and celebrate the achievements of our ākonga with you.

Ngā manaakitanga
Catherine Bentley
Principal

Junior Prizegiving – Thursday 12 December

We are excited to invite parents and students to our Junior Prizegiving, celebrating the achievements of our Year 9 and 10 ākonga.

Date: Thursday 12 December
Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm
Venue: School Hall
Dress Code: Students to come in tidy school uniform

Following the Prizegiving, students will be dismissed and are expected to go home.

We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate this special occasion!

Celebrating Whaea Evelyn's Academic Journey

We are incredibly proud of Whaea Evelyn Leef, our Deputy Principal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, who is presenting this week at the New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) conference.

This prestigious opportunity showcases the innovative work Evelyn is contributing to her Doctor of Education at Waikato University, focusing on improving educational outcomes for ākonga Māori.

In her presentation, Evelyn will share insights on the kaupapa:

"A collective approach to curriculum design in partnership with local iwi to improve Māori students' engagement and learning outcomes."

Evelyn’s work exemplifies leadership and innovation in education. Her commitment to championing culturally sustaining practices enriches Hastings Girls' High School | Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina, and we are privileged to have her expertise guiding our ākonga.

He mihi nui hoki ki ngā wāhine toa me ngā mahi rangatira o Huia Kaimanawa | Te Akatea.

Stay tuned for more updates as Evelyn continues to make waves in the education sector!

Photo left to right: Iti Joyce, Dr Therese Ford, Phoebe Davis, Evelyn Leef, and Cherie Hill.

Year 10 Students Explore Tūtere with Trades

This week on Thursday, some of our Year 10 students had the opportunity to get hands-on at Tūtere with Trades! Hosted at the fully-equipped EIT Trades Block, this immersive experience introduced them to a variety of trades through activities like working with GIB Plasterboard, plastering, painting, and using a range of tools and materials.

The day offered our students a real taste of life as a tradie, sparking interest and enthusiasm for future pathways in the trades. It was an exciting and rewarding experience, and the students loved every minute of it!

MakerImpact Markets Showcase Creativity and Innovation

Last Thursday, the Innovation and Enterprise Hubs proudly presented their annual MakerImpact Market, a celebration of ākonga creativity and entrepreneurial skills. Each group showcased their learning by designing, producing, and selling unique products, each with its own special twist.

From candles, earrings, and bath bombs to lip balms, tote bags, and more, there was something to delight everyone who attended. The market highlighted the dedication and hard work our ākonga have been putting in behind the scenes.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to support their kaupapa and contributed to the success of this vibrant event!

Exciting Opportunity: Join Our 2025 Secondary School Sports Programme!

Are you passionate about sports and inspiring young people to achieve their full potential, both on and off the field? Our sports programme is seeking enthusiastic coaches and managers to help lead and support our teams for the 2025 season!

At Hastings Girls' High School, we believe in the power of sports to build character, promote fitness, and foster teamwork and leadership. Whether you’re an experienced coach, an organised manager, or someone new with a strong passion for supporting students in sports, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Join Our Sports Programme?

Joining our sports programme offers the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young athletes, helping them develop crucial qualities like teamwork, perseverance, and self-discipline that will serve them well in life. You’ll become part of a vibrant, collaborative team of professionals who share a passion for sports and education, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether you’re an experienced coach or new to the role, we provide ongoing professional development to enhance your skills, keep you updated with the latest techniques, and help you excel in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Your efforts will contribute to shaping a programme that celebrates both successes and setbacks as vital learning opportunities for our students, empowering them to reach their full potential both on and off the field.

If you coached during the 2024 season, we sincerely thank you for your dedication and for inspiring our teams to grow and succeed. We truly value the time, effort, and energy you contributed and hope to see you return for the upcoming season.

Interested?

Please click here to fill out the form to express your interest in coaching or managing a team for the 2025 season. While we cannot guarantee all expressions of interest will be accommodated, we will do our best to place you in a suitable role.

Let’s work together to inspire, support, and grow the next generation of athletes at Hastings Girls' High School!

Junior A Volleyball Shines at North Island Nationals

Last week, our Junior A Volleyball team traveled to Auckland to compete in the North Island Junior Volleyball Nationals. With 52 teams from across the region, it was an exciting and challenging tournament that brought out the best in our players.

Our players showcased incredible teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination, finishing 5th in Division 2 and 21st overall—a fantastic achievement among such tough competition! Their hard work and growth throughout the tournament were evident and we couldn’t be prouder of how they represented our school.

Congratulations to the team on this outstanding effort! We look forward to seeing them continue to excel in future competitions. Well done, girls!