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Kia ora koutou katoa from Hewett House
Kia ora koutou katoa from Hewett House
Kia ora whānau.
Christmas has arrived at Hewett House and as the academic year winds up we have launched our Christmas Programme for the juniors to enjoy over the next two weeks.
We have introduced a new tradition at Hewett House. Every weekday, as we count down December, the Hostel staff will choose a junior and senior student who have demonstrated our values of Manaakitanga, Kairangi Whaiaro and Whanaungatanga. The students will then get to choose a mystery bag!
As we welcome our senior students back into the hostel for the last week, we move into a special and celebratory time of year. Our Hewett House Christmas Dinner is just around the corner—a chance for us to gather, reflect, and enjoy each other’s company as we mark the end of another busy and rewarding year. We also look forward to acknowledging the hard work and successes of our girls at the School Awards Ceremony and Prizegiving. These occasions remind us of the pride we have in our boarders and the many ways they contribute to our vibrant Hewett House community.
As the year draws to a close, we wish all whānau a safe, restful, and joy-filled festive season. To our leavers, we send our heartfelt best wishes as you take the next steps of your journey —may you carry the spirit of Hewett House with you wherever you go. And to those returning in 2026, we look forward to welcoming you back and beginning another year of growth, friendship, and new memories together.
Ngā mihi o te wā - warm seasonal greetings to you all.
Joyce Clark
Joyce Clark, Hostel Manager: 021 245 1862 / hostelmanager@nghs.school.nz
Mrs Heather McKenzie - Hewett House's very own superhero - celebrated her 30th anniversary last week
Celebration
Celebration
Let’s be honest, boarding staff are basically superheroes in comfy shoes. We don’t wear capes - because they’d get caught in the laundry door -but we do rock the Birkenstocks, carry cold coffee like a trophy, and somehow manage to solve 14 problems before breakfast.
Parents reckon we can do anything. Fix homesickness with one hug, find every missing sock within 30 seconds, teach their teen to make their bed and get up smiling before 7am. We smile, nod and say “no worries” while quietly performing small miracles they were unable to perform.
We comfort, cheer-lead and occasionally perform emotional rescues that would make Shortland Street proud. We remember who’s gluten-free, who’s allergic to homework, and who’s definitely not tired but somehow asleep by prep.
We deal with toast fires, tears, and teenage dramas that change direction every five minutes, then front up the next morning like it’s all part of the plan. And honestly, it kind of is.
So here’s to the boarding staff who keep the world turning and the students thriving, one late-night chat and one roll call at a time.
Cape optional. Coffee essential. Comfy shoes compulsory.
Hewett House Boarding Action Group Coming in 2026
Hewett House Boarding Action Group Coming in 2026
"Your Voice. Your Hostel. Your Leadership."
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What is the Hewett House Boarding Action Group?
A team of boarders from Years 9–13 who represent all students at Hewett House.
Share ideas, plan events, and help make boarding life the best it can be!
What Will You Do?
Speak on behalf of your friends
Bring a positive attitude and solutions to meetings
Suggest ways to improve life at Hewett House
Help plan fun events: quiz nights, themed dinners, movie nights, games
Welcome new boarders and support everyone
Be a friendly, respectful role model
Who Are We Looking For?
Two representatives from each year level (Years 9–13)
No experience needed — just energy, ideas, and team spirit!
When Do We Meet?
Once a term
Meetings run by Hostel Prefects and Mrs Clark
Short, focused, and student-led
How Do I Get Involved?
Nominations will happen in Term 1 2026.
Hostel Academic Dean Update
Hostel Academic Dean Update
This is the final week of external examinations for our senior boarders, and we’re proud of the focus and determination they’ve shown throughout the exam period. We hope they finish strongly and feel confident that their hard work over the year will be reflected in their results.
Next week, attention turns to our junior boarders as Enrichment Week begins. The normal timetable is set aside so students can dive into creative, hands-on learning experiences across a range of subjects, always a highlight before the summer break. For our Year 9s, the week culminates in the much-anticipated Big Day Out, with visits to Ocean Spa and Reading Cinemas, a great way to celebrate the end of the school year together.
We’re also looking forward to having the whole school community back together in Week 10 for two of our kura’s most special occasions: Prizegiving on Thursday, 11 December, and Gift Service on Friday, 12 December. The singing at practices has been beautiful, and for many of us, these events capture the very best of our school spirit and sense of whānau.
- Ms Amanda Johnson (Mandy)
Important Dates Coming Up
Important Dates Coming Up
DECEMBER
Monday 8: Senior students return to school
Tuesday 9: Hewett House Christmas Party
Wednesday 10: Awards Ceremony
Thursday 11: Canapes and Mocktails for Year 13 whānau, 4.30pm (before Prizegiving)
Thursday 11: Prizegiving at Napier Municipal Theatre, 7.00pm
Friday 12: Gift Service, Year 13 Soiree
Friday 12: Hostel closes at 4.00pm
Looking Ahead To 2026
FEBRUARY
Sunday 1: All Year 13 and Year 9 ākonga are expected to be in the hostel for dinner at 5.30pm for orientation. Hostel is open from 3.00pm.
Monday 2: All other Year groups are expected in for dinner at 5.30pm. Hostel is open from 3.00pm.
Thursday 5: Hostel closes 6.00pm for Waitangi weekend
Sunday 8: Hostel opens at 3.00pm
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)
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