Principal's Message
Kia Ora Koutou
I had to remind myself that it is only the end of the 4th week of the first term – so breathe!
Mindfulness is about being in the moment, so worrying about what might happen can be minimized by planning. Equally the future has not happened yet, so becoming anxious about it can be wasted energy. I also cannot change the past so sinking into what has happened uses up more positive energy. Perhaps we could best use the past experience to make now even better.
Community Involvement
It has been a hive of activity on campus this week.
On Wednesday we hosted Debate teams from all the Wairarapa Secondary schools in a day of Moots and Arguments. Not trying to push you into debating but apart from simply being fun, it does have the following benefits:
• Improves critical thinking skills.
• Helps with poise, speech delivery, and public speaking skills.
• Increases retention of information learned.
• Improves listening, note-taking skills and increases self-confidence.
• Enhances teamwork skills and collaboration.
• Great for confidence to stand up for the truth when a discussion is promoting falsehoods or inaccuracies.
• Helps with learning better ways to graciously state one’s point with gentleness.
• Helps students identify holes in their theories and concocting more balanced arguments.
• Helps students to better structure their thoughts.
On Wednesday and Thursday, we hosted Fernridge in our school pool for their swimming sports. It is always great to be able to help when we are in a position to do so.
Today we will have welcomed our own whanau to be with us for the Athletics. Thank you for joining us.
Connecting Years
This initiative started last year with year 9, as a way of growing social connections between the parents of that cohort. It continues this year in year 10 and they have had their first successful gathering.
The year 9 parent cohort meet socially next Friday at the school pool to start building those connections.
Ultimately all these intiatives and events are about our children being at the heart of the matter so bring me those fresh ideas.
Have a safe weekend, remember those golden rules around hygiene, use the COVID Tracer app, and be your best selves.
Ngā Mihi
Kiri
Around School this Week
Year 7/8 Camp
Athletics 2021
School Notices.
Open Afternoon
We welcome prospective families to the school on Tuesday afternoon from 2pm-5pm. Registration is in the Hall on arrival, with girls taking tours of the school.
We would welcome girls who are prepared to stay after school to continue tour guiding. I have a list of volunteers already but would welcome more. Afternoon tea will be provided for them. Girls need to see Miss Glass if they are interested.
School Activities - Thursday 2pm - 3.10pm
All of the girls should be in a group by now for this initiative starting this Thursday 4 March. Updated lists will go up on the app tonight for girls to check. Please email Miss Glass over the weekend if there are any issues. The girls must be proactive and check their name is on a list.
This programme runs for six weeks until the end of the term with the only exception being Thursday 1 April for our Good Friday Easter service.
Years 7/8 Information Evening
On Wednesday next week (3 March) the Year 7/8 girls will be staying after school to be entertained by our Prefects at the pool. Their parents will join us in the Hall later for some messages from Mr D. We will then all attend Chapel together. All parents have been sent a letter regarding this.
School Gate and Driveway
Can we please ask parents of day girls not to drive into the school grounds to drop off and collect your daughters. Please park at the gate and ask your daughter to meet you there. There is also the Hampton House gate which is less congested at 3.10pm.
If would also be very helpful if parents did not park on the yellow lines or bus stop right by the gate. This restricts the vision of the vehicles turning out of our gate into Pownall Street.
Coming Up on the Calendar......
Term One Week Five
Monday 1 March - Junior Choir, Viva Rehearsal
Tuesday 2 March - Senior Chapel, Open Afternoon
Wednesday 3 March - Assembly, Orchestra, Years 7/8 Evening
Thursday 4 March - Junior Chapel, Jazz Band, Thursday Activities
Friday 5 March - Year 10/11 Food Trip (TBC)
Exeat Weekend
Year 10 Camp leave Sunday March 7
Term One Week 6
Monday 8 March - Year 10 Camp, Whanau Time, Junior Choir, Viva Rehearsal
Tuesday 9 March - Year 10 Camp, Senior Chapel, Attitude Presentation, Intercollegiate Athletics, Year 13 Geography Trip
Wednesday 10 March - Prefect Assembly, Year 10 Camp, Year 13 Geography Trip, Orchestra, Cultural Group, Viva Rehearsal
Thursday 11 March - Junior Chapel, Jazz Band, Year 10 Camp, Year 13 Geography Trip, Wellington Regional Athletics, School Activities
Friday 12 March - Year 11 led Assembly, Year 10 Camp, Year 12 RYDA, Effort Grade Report One Published to the Portal
Term Dates 2021
Term One 2021
Monday 1st February – Friday 16th April
Term Two 2021
Monday 3rd May – Friday 9th July
Term Three 2021
Monday 26th July – Friday 1st October
Term Four 2021
Monday 18th October – End of Year Date TBC