Embedded Files
Empowering ākonga to achieve success and fulfilment, for themselves, whānau and community
Message from our Acting Tumuaki
Message from our Acting Tumuaki
Tēnā koutou katoa.
This week we celebrated Pink Shirt Day - where Aotearoa comes together to take a stand against bullying. Wellbeing Prefects, Christine and Iloara, spoke at assembly and reminded us all about being kind, inclusive, and celebrating diversity. I also reminded students that being mean or not nice is not accepted in our kura - and prolonged and intentional nastiness (bullying) should be reported to their Dean or another trusted adult in the school. We stood together as a sea of pink today as we had a non-uniform day to support this kaupapa. The colour pink is symbolic of love and compassion, making it the perfect colour to represent this day.
We have been working with Dental Planet over the last twelve months to bring this service to our kura. The main challenge for us (as always) was finding a possible site for the mobile service, especially with our current building projects. However, we have resolved this and booked them in for the first two weeks of Term 3. As a parent, I know it is often hard to convince our children that regular dental hygiene and health is so important. Whilst none of us relish the thought of going to the dentist, we know that time spent now will be appreciated in the future! We hope this service will be especially useful for our boarding whānau. You will need to follow the link provided in this newsletter to give consent for your tamariki to be seen, and Dental Planet will correspond directly with you about any subsequent dental work that may be required.
Napier Girls’ High School is a member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools which gives us access to leading research, networks, and professional development aimed specifically at educating girls. Many of their resources are also available to parents, and I have recently been delving into their valuable podcasts which you may also find useful. Dr Judith Locke is an Australian clinical psychologist and researcher and author of The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student. Her podcast “Connecting with Parents” was particularly heartwarming as it explores the reality that girls truly want and need their parents in their lives. We are all so busy - and so this short (30 minute) podcast is hopefully a manageable snippet to remind us of the importance of connecting with our young people. Below is the link to this podcast - but I am confident you will then navigate your way to other valuable podcasts in this series.
Looking forward to Week 4, it is particularly busy across all fronts. We have all Year 10 and some Year 11 ākonga sitting the Literacy and Numeracy CAA's; a number of sports teams will be involved in the exchange with Tauranga Girls'; and Showquest and Kapa Haka both compete at their regional events. We wish all ākonga the best for this week of academic, sporting and cultural endeavours.
Finally, we send our thoughts and aroha to the whānau and students in our school communities who have been grieving the tragic loss of a much loved NBHS student, Kaea Karauria. We know that this has affected a number of ākonga in our kura, and our pastoral team have been providing additional support and comfort to those most in need.
Me tangi, kāpā ko te mate i te marama
Let us weep for his is not the death of the moon
Ngā mihi nui
Mrs Megan Mannering
NGHS Bullying Poster.pdf
International Coalition of Girls Schools
The Connected Girl - a series of Podcasts that offer expert insights into important aspects of girls’ healthy development in a world that can often feel disjointed.
Phone: 06 835 1069 Web: www.nghs.school.nz Main Office email: nghs@nghs.school.nz Principal's PA Email: dmcpherson@nghs.school.nz
Important Dates Coming Up
Important Dates Coming Up
MAY 2025
Monday 19: ECNI Relay Champs, Havelock North
Monday 19: Showquest, 6.30pm at Toitoi, Hastings
Tuesday 20: Tauranga Girls' College Exchange, Taupō
Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21: Literacy and Numeracy CAAs
Wednesday 21: Road Education Safety Day for all Year 12 ākonga
Friday 23: Kapa Haka Regionals, Napier Municipal Theatre
Saturday 24: Smokefree Rockquest/Tangata Beats Regional Heats
Monday 26: Yr 9 Planetarium Trip, 9 Totara & Rata
Tuesday 27: Careers Expo for all Year 12 ākonga
Tuesday 27: Yr 9 Planetarium Trip, 9 Hinau & 9 Inanga
Wednesday 28: Literacy and Numeracy CAAs catch-up day
Thursday 29: YES Pitch Presentations, all day
Thursday 29: Yr 9 Planetarium Trip, 9 Puriri & 9 Akeake
Friday 30: Yr 9 Planetarium Trip, 9 Matai & 9 Kauri
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Hello Sunshine Level 3 Dance
NGHS Level 3 Dance Class loved their 1.5-hour session at Hello Sunshine Studio - just 5 minutes from school with over 60 classes a week! With choreography and dance projects keeping them busy, this was the balance they needed - movement to strengthen the body and reset the mind and soul. We look forward to returning in a few weeks for another session.
Honour the Crown - Level 3 Dance
On Tuesday 13 May, the Level 3 Dance class had the amazing opportunity to attend ‘Honour the Crown’, a one-night-only performance by The Royal Family at the Municipal Theatre. Fresh from being crowned World Dance Crew Champions 2025, the crew - led by Teesha Taulepa of Palace Dance Studio - delivered a powerful, high-energy performance. It was incredibly inspiring to see such world-class hip hop talent from Aotearoa, and we left feeling motivated by their passion, unity, and commitment on stage.
Showquest is Monday 19th May
Set during the Salem witch trials, this gripping story delves into how fear can tear a community apart. A young woman's false accusations of witchcraft lead to tragic events, culminating in the execution of many innocent people. We explore the devastating consequences of deceit, serving as a timeless reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of standing up for truth and justice. Napier Girls' High School presents "Salem 1692 – A Dance of Fear," offering valuable lessons that resonate today. Join us as we reflect on this dark chapter of history and its enduring lessons for our society.
To purchase tickets please click on the following link:
https://www.toitoivenues.co.nz/whats-on/event/883690/showquest-hawkes-bay-2025
Ms Tess Tobin - HoLA Performing Arts
Hākinakina - Sports
Hākinakina - Sports
Important Date Coming Up
Tuesday 20 May: Sports Exchange with Tauranga Girls' College in Taupō.
Winter Sports Start Dates
Week 4
Tuesday 20 May - Table Tennis
Volleyball
Congratulations to our NGHS students selected for Hawke's Bay Representative Volleyball teams:
U19 Women's team - Inter-Provincial Volleyball Champs in Wellington from 31st May to 2nd June - Keela Kavana-McGhie
Hawke's Bay U17 teams - Inter-Provincial Volleyball Champs in Wellington from 31st May to 2nd June.
Women's IGNITE - Emma McLachlan
Jade Black-West (non-travelling reserve)
Women's ELEVATE - Alyssa Young (non-travelling reserve)
Swimming 🏊♀️
Lola Nicholls competed at the NZ Age Group Swimming Championship in April.
She qualified for four finals, and won bronze in the 50m Butterfly.
NZ 5km Road Elite Championships 2025
On Saturday 3rd May, the Rotorua Airport runway hosted the elite/competitive women's Runway5, which doubled as the NZ 5km Road Elite Championships 2025 for female grades. The final event at 7.30pm drew some of New Zealand's fastest women, including Lisa Cross and Laura Nagal, who were vying for top honors. Year 11 student Paige Dobson finished in time of 00:17:44 that placed her 8th overall in open NZ grade.
She placed top in NZ for 15yr olds, and 4th in the U18 & U20.
NZ SS North Island Athletics
Congratulations Paige Dobson who placed in the NZSS NI Athletics championship in Hamilton representing ECNI early April the 800m.
🏸 Badminton Season is Underway!
Both our NGHS 1 and NGHS 2 teams had convincing wins against Woodford 💪👏
Our girls represented NGHS with pride, showing real sportsmanship both on and off the court 💙🤝
Ka pai, koutou — well done! 🌟🙌
Fitness and Conditioning 💪🏃♀️- tailored for all abilities and ages
Monday at lunchtime (1.15pm - 2pm) - School gym
6-week block during term 2 as per below:
Week 3 - May 12th
Week 4 - May 19th
Week 5 - May 26th
Week 6 - King’s birthday (school closed)
Week 7 - June 9th
Week 8 - June 16th
Week 9 - June 23rd
Gym Upstairs Fitness area
If you are wanting to use the fitness area upstairs in the gym at lunchtimes, please fill out the link below.
This is our new sign up form. If you have done a paper one please fill out this form anyway.
HB Netball Representatives
Congratulations to our students who have named in the following Hawke's Bay Representative Teams for 2025:
Hawke's Bay Oxygen U18
Hawke's Bay JS Electrics U16 Black
Hawke's Bay KC Contractors U16 White
Let Us Know Your Sports News!
We love to acknowledge our students’ sporting achievements outside of school. If you have any representative selections, results, information, or photos from external sporting events that occurred over the holidays or during the term, please send them to sport@nghs.school.nz
This information may be placed in the school newsletter and on our celebration wall in the gym or held for future consideration for school sports badges and achievement awards.
MJ Durkin - Head of Sport
Content That Crosses The Line: Conversations With Young People About Extremely Harmful Content Online
Content That Crosses The Line: Conversations With Young People About Extremely Harmful Content Online
Our kura contributed to the important mahi of the NZ Classification Office in preparing this report, “Content that Crosses the Line: Conversations with young people about extremely harmful content online.”
You can find the full report here and check out all of their newly released resources to support whānau here
ERO Te Ihuwaka Surveys
ERO Te Ihuwaka Surveys
Researchers at the Education Review Office (ERO) are doing some research about school attendance. They want to hear your thoughts about what makes a difference. Please help by clicking on this survey link: Parent and Whānau survey
Free Dental Care
Free Dental Care
Napier Girls’ High School is excited to inform you that your child is eligible for free dental care provided by the Ministry of Health. As part of this initiative, Dental Planet Mobile Dental Units will be visiting our school from 14 - 25 July 2025 to offer comprehensive dental check-ups and treatment, funded by Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora at absolutely no cost to whānau.
This service aims to ensure your child’s oral health is in excellent condition and to address any dental issues early on.
Dental Planet’s qualified dental professionals will provide services such as:
• Dental examinations
• Cleaning and polishing
• Necessary dental treatments (fluoride treatment, fillings, sealants, etc.)
For more information about the programme, please click on link below to consent enrolment:
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure your child's oral health is in excellent condition. If your child is currently enrolled with another dental provider and you wish to continue with them, select "No" on the enrolment consent form.
Dental Planet is committed to ensuring a positive experience for your child, and all services will be provided following strict safety and hygiene guidelines.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the services, feel free to contact us at 0800 262 2022 or mobiles@dentalplanet.co.nz
Thank you for helping us changes lives, one smile at a time!
An Update From the Minister
An Update From the Minister
The Minister of Education is delighted to announce the launch of a new Parent Portal – an online resource designed to support families to play their part in their child’s learning.
Education is a partnership of what happens in the classroom and what happens at home. Parents, caregivers, and whānau play an important role in supporting their child’s learning and development. The new webspace is designed to make it easier for parents, caregivers, and whānau to access clear and up-to-date information on the school curriculum, assessment practices, and ways they can complement their child’s learning.
Parent Portal - Information for parents, caregivers, and whānau.pdf
The Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award
Silver Duke of Edinburgh
Our Silver Duke of Edinburgh participants have successfully completed their practice tramp over the weekend. Students tramped into Mackintosh Hut in the Kaweka Ranges. Compulsory river crossings, technical terrain and sub zero temperatures challenged the students mentally and physically. Some valuable lessons were also learnt about not leaving wet socks and boots outside of the tents! — an experience full of challenges, learning, and resilience.
Originally planned for a different location, the route was changed at the last minute due to a heavy rain warning. While changing plans can be difficult and time-consuming, we are incredibly fortunate to have the support of Makahika, our trusted weather experts for the areas we tramp in. Their guidance is invaluable, and we are always grateful for their expertise.
The revised route proved demanding — muddy tracks and a frosty, cold night tested everyone’s endurance. Despite the conditions, our students rose to the challenge, embracing the opportunity to further develop the skills needed for this advanced Silver level.
A big thank you to Mrs. Raggett, who led the trip and enjoyed the experience, though she was understandably looking forward to spending Sunday evening at home to celebrate Mother’s Day. We’re also grateful to Mr. Mathers and Chris Wylie for giving up their weekend to tramp alongside the students — your support makes these adventures possible.
Looking ahead, Silver Award students will complete their final qualifying tramp from 12–14 September. In the meantime, over the winter months, all award participants — Bronze, Silver, and Gold — should continue working on the other sections of their awards, ensuring all progress is recorded in their online record books.
Just a reminder: I’m in the library with Brooke Duncan every lunchtime to support anyone with Duke of Ed questions or concerns. Feel free to drop in — we’re here to help!
Mrs Louise Bassett-Foss
Umanga - Careers
Umanga - Careers
Tertiary Open Days
Tertiary Open Days give students and parents the opportunity to explore the campus and experience first-hand what the tertiary environment is like. You are invited to visit special displays and presentations and explore the various facilities students use. We recommend that the students go to the tertiary open days as it is an important part of the decision-making process.
Below are the dates of the Tertiary Open Days for this year:
23 May: Waikato University (Hamilton Campus) register here
12 June: EIT Information Day from 9am to 6pm.
18 July: Lincoln University
6 August: Massey University (Manawatu Campus)
15 August: Massey University (Auckland Campus)
22 August: Victoria University
22 August: Massey University (Wellington Campus)
30 August: Auckland University
30 August: AUT
5 September: Canterbury University
Hawke’s Bay Information Evenings
A number of the universities will be visiting Hawke’s Bay this term and hosting information evenings for students and parents to attend. All of the sessions listed below are being held at the Napier War Memorial Centre.
21 May (6pm - 8pm): Victoria University - Register here
28 May (5.30pm start): Lincoln University - Register here
3 June (6pm start): University of Canterbury - Register here
10 June (6pm)*: Auckland University - Register here *This is an online session
11 June (6pm start): Waikato University - Register here
25 June (6pm start): Auckland University - Register here
Year 12 Road Education Safety Day
On Wednesday 21 May all of our Year 12 students will be participating in the Road Safety Education Programme (RYDA) at McLean Park, Napier from 8.40am - 2.30pm. This is compulsory for our Year 12 students and there is no cost for this programme.
RYDA is the leading and only national road safety education programme for youth in New Zealand. The programme features highly engaging practical demonstrations which have been designed to provide young people with the skills and strategies they need to stay safe on the roads. It gives students a unique opportunity to set road safety goals and build strategies alongside their friends they will most likely be riding with, as drivers or passengers.
Drive Coach - Free Workshop for Parents
If you are teaching a young person to drive there is a free workshop running in Napier at McLean Park on Wednesday 21 May from 5.30pm - 7.00pm. Drive Coach is a practical workshop which updates parents on the latest research and road safety approaches as well as giving parents an opportunity to ask questions and get advice from experts. Complimentary refreshments will be provided by Toyota.
You can book your place in the workshop here.
Hawke's Bay Career's Expo
Napier Girls’ High School is booked to attend the annual Careers Expo at Pettigrew-Green Arena, Tuesday 27 May, from 10:00am - 11:00am. This is compulsory for our Year 12 students.
The careers expo helps our students make their first steps to the world of work, by connecting them with the best training and employment opportunities Aotearoa has to offer. Students will speak to experts in their field and gain more information to help them make key decisions about their future career choices.
The expo is also open to parents/caregivers and all students on Tuesday 27 May, 5.00pm to 7.00pm at Pettigrew Green Arena.
Napier Careers Expo .pdf
New Careers Website
Tahatū is Aotearoa New Zealand’s new career website. It has been designed to give your rangatahi an easier way to explore careers, advice, and information.
Here is an information leaflet to help parents, caregivers and whānau learn more about Tahatū and support rangatahi using the website.
University Scholarships for Year 13 Students
We have a number of Universities coming into school this term to provide information on Scholarships. Additionally, MoneyHub, a consumer finance website, has published a guide to hundreds of scholarships for any student planning to start university in 2026. The comprehensive list includes scholarships offered by every university as well as those specifically available to local students. A list of privately-funded, Māori, Pacific and International university scholarships completes the list.
Applications close throughout the year, with tens of millions of dollars available. MoneyHub has also published a list of tips for scholarship success.
For more details and to find suitable scholarships, visit the MoneyHub Scholarship page
Mrs Caroline Johnson & Mrs Debra Verhoeven - Careers Advisors
Reviewing Board Policies, Term 2, 2025
Reviewing Board Policies, Term 2, 2025
This term the Napier Girls’ High School Board is reviewing the following policies and are inviting input from parents/caregivers:
Planning and Preparing for Emergencies, Disasters, and Crises
Communication During an Emergency, Disaster, or Crisis
Emergency Closure
Emergency Management
Disaster Management
Crisis Management
Thank you and we look forward to your feedback no later than Thursday 26 June 2025.
If you wish to be part of this process, please follow these steps below:
Visit the website https://nghs.schooldocs.co.nz
Enter the username (nghs) and password (adlucem).
Click on “Current Review”
Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
Read the policy.
Click the blue “Start your review” button near the top right-hand corner of the page.
Select the reviewer type - "Whānau".
Enter your name (optional).
Submit your ratings and comments.
If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Phone: 06 835 1069 Web: www.nghs.school.nz Main Office email: nghs@nghs.school.nz Principal's PA Email: dmcpherson@nghs.school.nz
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