Kia ora whānau.
What a week at Hewett House!
It’s been another bustling and exciting week here at Hewett House, full of celebration, connection, and community spirit.
On Tuesday, we embraced the spirit of Cook Island Language Week with a themed dinner. Dress-up was optional - but many went all out! It was a vibrant evening full of colour, music, and culture, with lots of prizes handed out for participation and creativity.
A big thank you to our wonderful kitchen staff for preparing a delicious Cook Islands-inspired dish - we truly appreciate the effort and flavour they brought to the evening.
On Wednesday was the Napier Girls’ High School Open Evening, where our rangatahi proudly helped showcase everything that makes NGHS so special.
Then on Thursday our Year 9 and 10 boarders were treated to dinner and a quiz night at Napier Boys’ High School. Laughter, teamwork, and new connections made for a memorable evening.
There’s certainly no shortage of energy, pride, and connection in our community - we love seeing everyone involved and enjoying themselves while continuing to represent Hewett House with mana and heart.
I always value your input and support - whether you're a parent, guardian, or friend of our boarding community. If you have any concerns, feedback, or would just like to drop by for a visit, please don’t hesitate to call, email, or pop in. We’d love to hear from you.
Ngā mihi nui,
Joyce Clark
Joyce Clark, Hostel Manager: 021 245 1862 / hostelmanager@nghs.school.nz
Thursday 14 August: Year 11 & 12 Dinner +Quiz Night at NBHS postponed due to derived grade examinations
Friday 29 August: Hostel closes at 6pm for mid term break
Monday 1 September: Hostel opens from 3pm
Wednesday 3 September: Hewett House Young Farmers hosting Napier Boys' for quiz and supper
Friday 19 September: Hostel closes at 6pm for end of term
Junior Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews
Junior tauira have now received their mid-year reports. We encourage you to take some time to go over the feedback and results with your young person, and talk through any areas where goals could be set or extra support might be needed. If anything in the report raises questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or your child’s year-level dean.
Reports and academic results can be accessed through the Parent Portal: https://nghs.bridge.school.nz/. A reminder that this link is also regularly sent to all whānau via email—so please make sure your contact details are up to date with the school office.
Parent-teacher interviews for junior students will take place on the afternoon and evening of Thursday 14 August. As a result, junior students will finish school at lunchtime that day. These interviews will be held online, and instructions for booking have been sent to you separately via email. For our senior students, this date also marks the start of their study leave for the upcoming Derived Grade examinations.
NCEA Derived Grade Exams – Thursday 14 August to Friday 22 August
Senior students have received their schedules for the upcoming Derived Grade examinations. These assessments are a key checkpoint in the academic year. As well as helping students review and apply what they’ve learned so far, the grades gained may be used as evidence for a derived grade if students are unable to sit their final exams later in the year due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or bereavement.
During this period, senior students are on study leave. We encourage all ākonga to use this time wisely for focused preparation and revision. Hostel students are welcome to study in the school library throughout the exam period.
- Ms Amanda Johnson (Mandy)
Kia ora
Last Wednesday night, the girls brought their energy and enthusiasm to our first ever Hostel House Dance Competition. Each house performed a chosen ‘Just Dance’ routine, complete with karaoke from those brave enough to grab the mic! Congratulations to Blue House, who took out the competition with their lively rendition of ‘All About That Bass’ by Meghan Trainor.
Results are as follows: 1st - Blue, 2nd- Gold, 3rd - Red, 4th - Green
We hope this competition sparks a new inter-house challenge that will continue in the years to come!
This Tuesday, we embraced Cook Islands Language Week with a themed dinner. It was a wonderful way to celebrate culture, enjoy delicious food, and dress to match the occasion.
Looking ahead, we're sure everyone has marked their calendars for the upcoming Quiz Night with Scinde House. This is a chance for our Year 9s and 10s to put their knowledge to the test!
Finally, best of luck to all senior students as they prepare for derived grade exams. It's hard to believe they’ve come around so fast!
Enjoy your weekend :)
- Kaela, Chimari and Georgia
SCHOOL CHARGES - KINDO IS NOW LIVE!
You will have received an email from the school regarding Kindo which is our new student payment system. This is only for your daughter's school charges such as sports fees, music tuition and other activities. Boarding fees and hostel incidentals should continue to be paid using your normal method.
If you have any queries please contact our Finance team: hostelfinance@nghs.school.nz
UNIFORM
A reminder that uniform items for hostel students cannot be charged to hostel accounts. Uniform can be purchased via myKindo or via cash/eftpos at the Uniform Shop.
DIRECT DEBITS
To reduce the workload for our finance team could you please ensure there are sufficient funds in your bank account so that boarding fee direct debits can be processed successfully on the 20th of each month.
A Quick Reminder
If you're feeling unwell or showing any signs of illness, please stay home and take the time you need to recover. Your health — and the health of others — comes first.
Change to 5 / 7 Day Status
If your daughter is wanting to change her boarding status ie to 5 day or 7 day this needs to come to the Hostel Manager in writing please.
Sunday Late Dinners
If you require a late/saved dinner on a Sunday night this MUST be booked by 12.00pm on the Sunday by putting your name on the list at the office preferably before you leave on Friday afternoon. If you have not booked a late/saved dinner you will be able to have toast and spreads. We hope you can appreciate that our kitchen team need to be able to plan for accurate numbers. It is very difficult for them when suddenly they need to find 15 – 20 extra servings. Thanks for your support with this.
Special Dietary Students
Please remember that if you have listed yourself as a special dietary requirement you are expected to honour this and not change your mind as something else appeals, the kitchen staff are going to considerable effort to cater for your needs. Once again, thank you for your support.
Please note a change of dates for the upcoming closures related to the replacement of the temporary Bailey bridge.
The reason for the changed dates is because the construction programme for the project has shifted by one week. This has had a flow on effect meaning the contingency date of Saturday 6 September for closures are now required. Please see the new dates below (these are the original contingency dates):
10.00am Saturday 6 September to 10.00am Sunday 7 September – Full 24-hour closure to remove the Bailey bridge and install the Acrow bridge.
Sunday 7, Monday 8, and Tuesday 9 September – Night closures from 9.00pm to 5.00am to widen the bridge approaches.
We love celebrating successes at Hewett House.
If you have some news (and/or photos) we would love to hear about it so we can include it in future pānui editions :)
HEWETT HOUSE TEAM
Lynley Keehan, Reception (weekdays): 021 488 758 / hewettoffice@nghs.school.nz (this email is checked seven days a week)
Joyce Clark, Hostel Manager: 021 245 1862 / hostelmanager@nghs.school.nz (this email is not checked seven days a week so if urgent, please email hewettoffice@nghs.school.nz)
Supervisors: Mrs Joan Willox / Ms Sarah-Jane Lothian (mornings), Mrs Hayley Berriman / Ms Te Aroha Hawkins / Mrs Heather McKenzie (afternoons/evenings)
Mrs Michele Glogoski (Friday evening, weekends), Mrs Lynda Jackson (weekends), Mrs Kellie Fulton / Ms Michelle McLellan (overnight)