Principal's Message
As we settle into the new school year, it has been fantastic to see our students engaging in their learning and our school community coming together to support their success. This year, we have placed a strong focus on ensuring ākonga are well-supported in their learning, particularly in literacy and numeracy following changes to NCEA Level 1.
Our senior school now offers a greater range of Level 2 and Level 3 subject choices, providing more flexibility for students to pursue both academic and vocational pathways. Meanwhile, junior students are benefiting from the fully implemented Hub-based curriculum, which is already strengthening relationships between students and teachers and ensuring that literacy and numeracy development remains a priority.
A highlight of the year so far has been the Outstanding Scholarship awarded to Year 11 student Maieke Thompson in Te Reo Māori—one of only six students in the country to receive this recognition. This is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to both her dedication and the strength of our kaupapa Māori curriculum. Her success has been widely celebrated within the school community and serves as inspiration for other ākonga striving for excellence.
Beyond the classroom, it has been wonderful to see the strong engagement from whānau at key school events. Our start-of-year pōwhiri was a standout occasion with a fantastic turnout from families, students and staff. The sense of community was further reinforced at the combined kapa haka whānau hui with HBHS where over 100 whānau members gathered to support preparations for the regional competition. Next week, we look forward to hosting our Year 9 BBQ with whānau, a great opportunity for families to connect with teachers and support their child’s transition into high school.
Our 2025 Student Leadership Team has stepped into their roles with enthusiasm, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. A formal handover from the 2024 leaders ensured a smooth transition and they have already been instrumental in promoting school values and fostering a culture of participation and service.
Finally, we acknowledge the departure of Rose Tuhiwai-Baker and Tau Samuelu. Rose has chosen to take up a part-time role while continuing her Te Reo journey, while Tau will be returning to Auckland to rejoin his family at the start of Term 2. We thank them for their contributions and wish them all the best. At the same time, we are excited to welcome Sindiso Wilson to the Science department and Anthea Martin as our new Hauora Coach both of whom will bring valuable experience and energy to their roles.
The year has started with momentum, connection, and a strong commitment to student success. We look forward to continuing this journey together and ensuring that every ākonga has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Ngā manaakitanga
Catherine Bentley
Principal
Student and Parent Portal
Login details for the student and parent portal were emailed home on Friday along with the updated link to access the portal. This platform provides a convenient way to stay informed, offering access to notices, attendance records, timetables, academic results and more.
If you have any issues accessing the portal, please contact the School Office for assistance.
Pick-up and Drop-off Safety
For the safety of our students, we kindly ask that families use Frimley Road, Pakowhai Road, or Fitzroy Avenue for pick-ups and drop-offs rather than driving into the school grounds. We have had several near misses and to ensure student safety, we ask that all vehicles remain outside the school premises unless visiting the Student Centre or Office.
Please also respect road markings, avoid blocking driveways and do not park on footpaths. Your cooperation helps keep our school community safe. Thank you for your support.
Hastings Girls’ High School | Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina: Student Achieves Outstanding Scholarship in Te Reo Māori
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei
Hastings Girls’ High School is proud to celebrate the exceptional achievement of Maieke Thompson, who has been awarded an Outstanding Scholarship in Te Reo Māori. This remarkable accomplishment is made even more impressive by the fact that Maieke sat for the New Zealand Scholarship assessment in Year 11—two years ahead of the usual Year 13 cohort.
New Zealand Scholarship is a prestigious award that recognises the most outstanding secondary school students across the country. It is designed to challenge the most able students in each subject through rigorous assessments that demand deep understanding, high-level critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge to complex situations.
Maieke's dedication and academic excellence are evident in her results, having achieved Excellence grades for all of her Level 3 internals and externals. Among the 1,518 students who sat the Te Reo Māori Scholarship assessment, only 40 students passed, with just six receiving the highly coveted Outstanding Scholarship—a distinction earned by only 0.04% of candidates.
Principal Catherine Bentley commended Maieke for her exceptional achievement:
“This is an extraordinary result, not only for Maieke but for our entire school community. Her success highlights the strength of our academic programme and the dedication of our students and teachers. We are incredibly proud of her commitment to excellence and her passion for Te Reo Māori.”
Maieke’s success is a testament to her hard work, determination, and the high level of support provided by Hastings Girls’ High School. Her achievement will serve as an inspiration for future students pursuing academic excellence.
'Poho Kēreru ana mātou ki a koe e te Mareikura. Kei runga noa atu koe me ōu mahi rangatira ki te whakatinanahia i ngā moemoeā o tō tātou mātua tūpuna'
Join a Student Leadership Committee in 2025
Are you passionate about making a difference at Hastings Girls’ High School? Whether you’re interested in academics, student voice, cultural leadership, or the arts, now is your chance to step up and join one of our student-led committees for 2025.
Academic Committee
Help shape academic success at HGHS. This is a brand-new committee where you can encourage and support student learning, develop tutoring and extension groups, and organise academic house competitions. If you’re passionate about education, leadership, and making an impact, this is for you.
To apply, email Mennat at quamen@hastingsgirls.com
International Committee
Do you love learning about different cultures? The International Committee is looking for 10-12 students from all year levels to help mentor and support international students, plan cultural events, and celebrate diversity at HGHS. Be part of an exciting initiative that fosters global connections.
To apply, email Kashishpreet at kaukas@hastingsgirls.com
Māori Student Council
Are you passionate about kaupapa Māori and want to be a voice for Māori students? Join our Māori Student Council and help lead events like Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and Matariki, while working to strengthen Māori culture and academic success at HGHS. All students are welcome to apply.
Applications close Wednesday 19 February at 3pm.
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMR2f5MtwNg_fUKdlDeMzef9Mq4xa9aHnbISoUfl5r8x70Gw/viewform
For more information, contact Tiana (Amorangi).
Student Council
Want to represent student voice and create change? The Student Council oversees exciting events like the House Quiz, House Debates, and student-led initiatives. Be part of a legacy project and make a real impact at HGHS.
To apply, email Maia at vanmai@hastingsgirls.com
Performing Arts & Cultural Committees
If you love the performing arts, dance, music, kapa haka, or cultural events, consider joining one of our Performing Arts or Cultural Committees. These teams help organise Fiafia Night, the Performing Arts Showcase, Showquest, and more.
More details coming soon—stay tuned.
This is an amazing opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain experience, and contribute to the school community. Don’t miss out—apply now and make 2025 a year to remember.
Join the Green Team – Environmental Leaders Wanted!
Are you passionate about the environment, conservation, and protecting the planet? Do you want to make a real difference at Hastings Girls’ High School?
Mr Woodhams is looking for two enthusiastic Year 11–13 students to step up as Environmental Leaders for 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead eco-friendly initiatives, inspire others to take action, and help create a greener, more sustainable future for our school community.
If you’re interested, see Mr Woodhams or email cwo@hastingsgirls.com before Friday 21 February.
Growing Leaders
We are proud to announce that Hossana Peni and Mennat Quazi have been selected to represent Hastings Girls’ High School on the Hastings Youth Council 2025! With 39 new applications and seven returning Youth Councillors, this is an incredible achievement.
As Youth Councillors, Hossana and Mennat will have the opportunity to contribute to key discussions, engage with local government, and advocate for rangatahi across our community. We look forward to seeing their leadership grow and the positive impact they will make.
Exploring University Life
This week, 20 Year 12 and 13 students had the amazing opportunity to experience life as a university student at Waikato University! We spent two nights living in the Halls of Residence and got to hear from current students about their degree paths and how they transitioned from school to uni life.
We also attended workshops in Law, Biomedical Science, Psychology, Teaching, Engineering and Computer Science — a great way to explore potential future careers!
A huge thank you to Waikato University for being incredible hosts! We kicked off our stay with a fun quiz night and were treated to a movie night the following evening.
For anyone considering university options, Waikato is definitely worth thinking about. With an amazing campus, on-site student accommodation, top-notch pastoral care, and more scholarships available than any other university in NZ, it’s a fantastic choice.
Staff Profile - Meet Louise van den Munckhof
I am Louise van den Munckhof and an ex-pupil of Hastings Girls' High School. I was born in Hastings and lived all my life in Hawke's Bay except when attending university. I have been teaching for 5 years in Hawke's Bay. As a teacher I have a varied background in teaching several different subjects. This year I will be teaching Chemistry, Science, Social Studies and Literacy to the students at Hastings Girls' High School.
I have previously worked in the Horticulture Industry and have travelled around New Zealand’s horticultural growing regions. As part of my employment, I inspected horticultural products in different regions and audited growers checking that they are adhering to employment regulations, environmental protection and food safety requirements.
My favourite pastimes are swimming, walking the dog along the river or beach, gardening and crafts. Some of the crafts I spend many hours working at are crochet, knitting, quilting and sewing.
I am looking forward to continuing my teaching journey at Hastings Girls' High School and will enjoy my time interacting with the students and staff at the school.
Sports Update
Premier Touch Trials
Trials for all students interested in playing Premier Touch in Term 1 2025 will be held on:
Monday 17 February
3:00–4:30pm
School field
This is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and be part of our top Touch team. We encourage all interested players to come along and give it their best.
2025 School Netball Trials
Get ready Netball enthusiasts! School Netball trials are just around the corner and are open to all students interested in playing for Hastings Girls’ High School in 2025.
Junior Trials: Tuesday 18 February
Senior Trials: Wednesday 19 February
Time: 3.15-5.00pm
Where: School Gym
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your skills and be part of our dynamic Netball teams. See you on the court!
Congratulations to our Senior A Volleyball Team
Thank you to all who trialled – congratulations to the students selected for the 2025 Senior A Volleyball team!
Outstanding Achievement at the Touch Youth Nationals!
Congratulations to Year 10 student Pattreece Anderson on your phenomenal performance at the recent Touch Youth Nationals! Securing 3rd place in the country with the Manawatū U16 Girls’ Team is an incredible achievement and a true reflection of your hard work, skill, and determination.
We are so proud of your success and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next. The future is bright, Pattreece—keep shining!
Lunch Menu - Week 3
School Calendar
Please keep an eye on the school calendar to ensure that students are arriving at school prepared for the day's activities. You can find the calendar in the drop down menu of our website or click on the link below
Link to School Calendar