Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou
It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks at Hastings Girls’ High School as we continue to settle into the term and strengthen connections within our school community. A real highlight was our Year 9 Whānau BBQ where we had a fantastic turnout of students and families. It was wonderful to see so many whānau taking the opportunity to meet teachers and engage with the school early in the year. Events like these are a key part of building strong relationships that support our students’ success and we look forward to hosting more opportunities to connect with our community soon.
We’ve also had a number of trips and excursions happening this week, providing valuable learning experiences beyond the classroom. It’s been great to see students embracing these opportunities and representing the school with pride.
In addition to these exciting activities, we are continuing to work closely with our new Year 9 students as they settle into high school life. We’re focusing on helping them understand the routines, expectations around attendance, behaviour, and our school values, and ensuring they feel supported as they navigate this new chapter. It’s been great to see so many of them already engaging positively and finding their place in the HGHS whānau.
Our summer sports season is also in full swing, with teams in Volleyball, Rugby, and Ki o Rahi hitting the fields and courts. It’s fantastic to see students getting involved, staying active and showing school spirit as they compete and represent HGHS.
We’ve also seen clubs like Chess starting to form, as well as our Student Councils. Students are beginning preparations for Showquest and Te Rōpū Mana Huia has reunited and is now rehearsing for the Kapa Haka Nationals campaign.
Our Student Leaders were officially sworn in during a Special Assembly on Monday where they received their leadership badges. We also took a moment to give an honourable mention to Maieke for her outstanding academic success which you can read more about on our Facebook page and in the Hawke’s Bay Today newspaper.
This week, we also held our first Board meeting for the year and are excited to welcome Brendon Jones to the committee. Brendon brings valuable experience and insight and we’re thrilled to have him join the team as we continue to guide the future of our school. We do still have a casual vacancy available and would love to hear from anyone interested in joining.
With the Board Elections coming up in September, I encourage any parents or community members who are considering standing to come along to our next Board meeting on Wednesday 19 March. It’s a great opportunity to see how the Board operates and get a feel for the important work being done behind the scenes to support our kura.
Thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward to seeing more of you at upcoming school events as the term progresses.
Ngā manaakitanga
Catherine Bentley
Principal, Hastings Girls’ High School
Celebrating Our 2025 Student Leaders
On Monday we proudly held a Special Assembly to officially welcome and acknowledge our 2025 student leaders. It was a meaningful moment as each student crossed the stage, received their leadership badge from Mrs Bentley, and read the Student Leader Oath in front of the student body, marking the beginning of their leadership journey.
This moment not only celebrated the dedication and commitment of our new leaders but also served as an inspiration to all aspiring student leaders in our community. We are excited to see how this team will guide and support our school throughout the year, working alongside their committees to create positive change, foster school spirit, and represent the voice of our students.
To our current leaders—congratulations on this achievement. We look forward to seeing the impact you will make. And to those aspiring to lead in the future—keep striving, stay engaged, and know that your journey is just beginning.
Here’s to an incredible year ahead, filled with leadership, growth, and school pride!
Year 9 Whānau BBQ – A Great Evening Together
Last night, we hosted our Year 9 Whānau BBQ, where students and their families were invited to drop in, meet the teachers, and connect with our school community. We were really pleased with the fantastic turnout and loved seeing so many families engaging with staff and supporting their child’s journey at Hastings Girls’ High School.
Thank you to everyone who came along and made the evening such a success. We look forward to more opportunities soon to connect with our wider school community and continue building strong relationships throughout the year.
Join Pānui Mai – Inspire a Love for Reading!
Pānui Mai is an awesome opportunity for Year 12 and 13 students to help inspire a love for books in younger tamariki by reading to students at Frimley School. If you’re keen to make a difference and don’t mind giving up one Ākina time every Tuesday, this is for you! We do ask for a commitment to at least 80% of the sessions.
Not only will you be spreading the joy of reading, but Pānui Mai are also happy to provide testimonials for your CV or university applications, making this a great opportunity to boost your future prospects.
Sessions officially start in Term 2 on 28 April but we’d love to get applications in by Friday of Week 4.
To apply: Write 1-2 sentences about yourself (this helps us find your perfect match at Frimley) and send them to quamen@hastingsgirls.com.
We can’t wait to see who’ll be joining us to make a difference!
Senior Music Students Experience the NZ Army Band Live
Last Wednesday, our senior Music students had the exciting opportunity to attend a live performance by the NZ Army Band at Lindisfarne College. Joining students from Havelock North High School, Havelock North Intermediate, St John’s College, and Woodford House, our students enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon filled with incredible music and energy.
The NZ Army Band delivered a dynamic and engaging show, showcasing their talent and versatility across a range of musical styles. A standout moment from the performance was when tenor horn player Robbie Cargill joined the band on stage for an impromptu collaboration, adding an extra layer of excitement to the show.
It was an inspiring experience for our Music students who left feeling motivated and energised by the talent and passion displayed by the NZ Army Band. A big thank you to Lindisfarne College and the NZ Army Band for hosting such an incredible event!
Exciting Start for our New Chess Club!
Our newly created Chess Club has gotten off to a fantastic start, with a great turnout of keen players already honing their skills and enjoying the challenge of the game. It’s been awesome to see so much enthusiasm and strategy on display!
We’re encouraging more students to come along and join the fun—whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, everyone is welcome. With the club growing quickly, we’re hoping to start competing in local tournaments soon!
If you’re interested in joining or want to find out more, come along to our next session in the Library at Friday lunch time or get in touch with Mr Gabel or Ms Rangas. Let’s get those boards out and make some moves!
Ms Garbutt’s Adventure at the School to Skies/School to Seas Teachers Camp
Just before the school year began, Ms Garbutt joined 28 other teachers from across New Zealand at the School to Skies/School to Seas Teachers Camp, run by the New Zealand Navy and Air Force. The camp was designed to give teachers the chance to apply STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) knowledge to real-world challenges.
The first half of the week was spent with the Navy, where Ms Garbutt experienced the flood training chamber, toured the Defence Force Science and Technology Centre, and visited the frigate Te Kaha in dry dock. She also explored the control rooms onboard, learning how the ship’s various systems interact. And of course, there was a chance to try some delicious meals prepared by the legendary Navy chefs!
The second half of the week was spent at the Whenuapai Air Force Base. The group took part in assembling a training aircraft, witnessed the impressive new Hercules C130J in action, tried their hand at wielding a welding torch, and explored the inside of Seasprite helicopters.
Both the Navy and Air Force run week-long wāhine camps for Year 13 students, offering an incredible opportunity to explore careers in the Defence Force while engaging in hands-on STEM activities. Applications for the Air Force’s School to Skies programme are now open. Interested students can apply here: https://rnzaf.schooltoskies.co.nz/camps/
Ms Garbutt described the camp as an unforgettable experience and highly recommends it to any student interested in science, technology, or a future in the Defence Force. Many past participants have had an amazing time, and this could be the perfect opportunity for you too!
Exciting news about our school lunches
We’re starting to see more and more lunch orders coming through each day as the word spreads. Thank you to everyone who has already placed an order – it’s great to see students enjoying the fresh, delicious meals prepared by Chef Katie and her team.
If you missed the details in last week’s newsletter, here’s how it works:
Free School Lunches continue to be served daily but Chef Katie and her team are also offering freshly made lunches that students can pre-order.
Students can pre-order in person at the schools main office by 8:30am each day.
Parents can order online at any time by visiting: Link to order
Same-day orders close at 8:30am but you can also pre-order for future days.
Lunches include daily specials and gourmet options, all priced between $6 and $8.
As we settle into the new system, we hope to expand the menu over time based on what proves to be the most popular. Keep an eye out for new additions in the coming weeks.
Free Lunch Menu - Week 4
