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Empowering ākonga to achieve success and fulfilment, for themselves, whānau and community
Message from our Tumuaki
Message from our Tumuaki
Tēnā koutou katoa. Nau mai haere mai. Nau mai hoki mai.
Welcome to Term 3. I do hope you have all had a restful break over the holiday period.
As I return from sabbatical leave, it has been wonderful to reconnect with everyone and to hear of all that has been achieved during the term.
I am most grateful to our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for the wonderful work they have done. In particular, to Mrs Megan Mannering who was Acting Principal in my absence and has done a wonderful job in leading NGHS, and also to Caroline Johnson who was Acting Deputy Principal for Term 2. We also welcome back Mrs O'Sullivan from maternity leave.
Celebrating Wāhine Toa – Inspired by The Secrets of the Sprakkar
One of the keynote speakers at a conference I attended was Eliza Reid, who spoke about being the First Lady of Iceland. Her address was inspiring as was her book The Secrets of the Sprakkar - a powerful book that celebrates extraordinary women in Iceland who are leading change, challenging norms, and lifting others as they rise. The word sprakkar refers to strong, courageous women - a concept that resonates deeply with us here at Napier Girls’ High School.
As we continue to nurture the next generation of wāhine toa, we’re reminded that success takes many forms. Whether it's leadership, creativity, compassion, or quiet determination, our young women are already shaping the world around them. The stories in this book encourage us to keep striving for equity, to embrace our full selves, and to lift one another up, just as the sprakkar do.
Let’s continue to support our ākonga to stand tall in their identity, aim high, and walk confidently into the future.
What a fabulous start to the term we have had with the wonderful production of the NBHS & NGHS Musical - Footloose. The staff and students involved are to be commended for their performance and commitment. The final performance is tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm at the Municipal Theatre. It is not too late to get your tickets from Ticketek.
There are just four weeks until our seniors sit their derived grade examinations. These are important for our ākonga as the results are used if a student is unable to sit their NCEA external examinations at the end of the year. They are also an opportunity to provide valuable feedback as to where students are in their learning, and provides the next steps for them. I wish our ākonga all the best as they prepare for these examinations. A reminder that if you have any concerns about your daughter's wellbeing or academic progress, please do not hesitate to contact her dean or a member of the senior leadership team.
Many of our students will be looking ahead to next year, as they begin the process of choosing their subjects for 2026. The senior course booklets will be emailed to students prior to the subject selection information evening being held on Thursday 24 July, 4.00 - 6.00pm. We remind students to select what they are passionate about and to keep as many pathways open as possible.
Finally, all the very best to our seniors for an enjoyable night at their 'A Night in Rome' School Ball.
Wishing you all the very best for the term.
Ngā mihi nui
Mrs Dawn Ackroyd
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
JULY
Saturday 19: School Ball, 8.00 - 11.00pm, PGA
Tuesday 22: Patrick Sherratt Passing Exams Seminar - for senior ākonga, 3.15pm
Thursday 24: Subject Selection Information Evening, 4.00 - 6.00pm
Friday 25: Art for All Opening Night Function, 5.30pm - 8.00pm, NGHS hall (tickets available on eventfinda)
Saturday 26 - Sunday 27: Art for All Exhibition, NGHS Hall, 10.00am - 3.00pm
Tremains Art for All Exhibition
Tremains Art for All Exhibition
The Final Countdown is on!
+ we still need helpers
Our annual NGHS fundraiser, the Tremains Art for All Exhibition - an Exhibition for All Tastes & All Budgets is happening next week!
Opening Night Function - Be First to Experience the Magic
Date: Friday 25 July 2025
Time: 5.30pm to 8.00pm
Cost: $55.00 per ticket
Venue: NGHS Hall
Note - this is an R18 Event
Buy your Friday night gala tickets here
Enjoy an elegant evening featuring:
Delicious canapés
A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments
Live entertainment
First chance to view and purchase artwork before the public!
Tickets are limited, so don’t miss out!
Exhibition Open to the Public – Free Entry!
Can’t make Opening Night? No problem! The Tremains Art for All Exhibition is open to everyone over the weekend:
· Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 July 2025
· Open daily from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm daily
· NGHS Hall
Don’t miss the ever-popular Pop-Up Gallery in the hall foyer!
Featuring hundreds of unique items starting from just $5.00 - including:
Prints & posters | jewellery | ceramics | and much more!
Helpers Still Needed!
We’d love your support during setup and pack-down:
Set up: Wednesday 23 July (5pm to 8pm)
Pack down: Sunday 27 July (3pm to 6pm)
If you can help, please contact Kim Vercoe:
📧 nghsaae@gmail.com
📱 Text: 021 765 978
Please include your mobile number when emailing.
Raffle Reminder
Thank you to everyone who has donated, bought, or sold raffle tickets!
Please ensure all completed raffle books are returned to school ASAP, so no one misses out on the amazing prizes!
Tremains' Art for All Exhibition Sponsorship
We are deeply grateful to our incredible sponsors who make this event possible:
Platinum Sponsors: Tremains - Sarah Pinckney-Welch
Gold Sponsors: Somerset Smith Partners, Ocean Orthodontics, Edges Art + Framing
Silver Sponsors: Te Mata Estate, Gifford Devine Lawyers, No 9 Printing.com, Bennett and Pearson Optometrists, Colonial Lodge Motel, Mardi Gras Event Hire, Branded, and Provista Balustrade Systems
Want to join our sponsor whānau?
It’s not too late! Support NZ art and NGHS while gaining exposure at a high-profile Hawke’s Bay event. Contact Nic Holland at: nghsaae@gmail.com
Help us make this year’s exhibition the best yet!
✅ Share on social media
✅ Tell your friends
✅ Come along and support local art and our school!
📍 Visit our new website: artforall.co.nz
Questions?
If you have any queries about the Tremains' Art for All Exhibition, please get in touch with the Art Exhibition team via Susan Hopley, Nic Holland or Kim Vercoe by email – nghsaae@gmail.com
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
DanceNZMade
DanceNZMade continues to rehearse this term and tickets will be available soon. Solos and duos are performing on Sunday 17 August and Monday 18 August. The students have been showing commitment to team work, technique, and juggling their many other commitments. We look forward to seeing the hard work pay off next month.
Footloose
Over the past five months, the cast of Footloose has juggled the demands of school, home, sports, jobs (and more), and still showed up to rehearse three times a week. Night after night, learning lines, hauling set pieces and benches, dancing and singing, and most importantly, supporting each other. Opening night was Wednesday night and the audience was impressed with the professionalism of the show - and more importantly how well rehearsed and how happy they all looked on stage. Final night is tonight, Friday 18 July at 7.30pm so if you can still make it, don't miss out. There will be more photos in the next newsletter to showcase this wonderful production.
Ms Tess Tobin - HoLA Performing Arts
Hākinakina - Sports
Hākinakina - Sports
IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP
Week 2: Thursday 24 July - NGHS Cross Country Champs
Week 3: Wednesday 30 July - Sports Team Photos
Over the holidays many of our students were busy playing winter sports.
Hockey
Congratulations to six of our representative hockey players who last week were part of the Hawke's Bay U18 women's team - Abigail Smith, Meela Tamati-Herrick, Rosa Angland, Lexi Pollock, Lucy Angland & Anania Tamati-Herrick. Their team placed second in New Zealand at the National U18's Women's Championship, an amazing achievement.
The team was coached by Shannel Tamati who is also the coach of our 1st XI hockey team.
Golf
Congratulations to Devon Henare who placed second in the HB Secondary Schools Golf Tournament at the end of last term.
Devon also played Taranaki age groups over the holidays and finished 3rd in the U16 girls' division.
Cycling - North Island Schools Road Championships
Well done to Anatea and Lili Caviale-Delzescaux who travelled up to Cambridge to compete in the 45km cycling road race event in the first weekend of July. Anatea came 19th (U20 age group) and Lili 14 (U15 age group). Anatea also came 2nd in the U20 B grade criterium race.
Rugby
Our rugby players travelled for an overnight trip to St Peters, Cambridge, where they spent time together to connect with a joint skills session on the Sunday and a game on the Monday. NGHS came away with a dominant win 47 -5.
On Saturday the rugby team travelled to Feilding to play the first of 4 regional games as part of the PTS Cup competition. They won a tight encounter against Feilding 12-10. Next fixtures are against Taupō-nui-a-Tia and Hastings Girls' High School.
Thanks to Mr Mather for his tireless work to help grow our rugby programme and Mrs Moffitt for all of her support also.
NZ U18 North vs South Camp
Congratulations to Year 13 student Briar Hales and Year 12 student Allura Holt, who travelled to Hamilton in the second week of the holidays to take part in the NZ U18's Rugby camp and North vs South game. This was a great opportunity for both students to rub shoulders with the best school girls rugby talent in the country as well as showcasing their own skillset. We look forward to seeing them both thrive in the rugby scene and wish them all the best of luck for their next opportunities.
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.
Equestrian Team Fundraiser
🐴 Our NGHS equestrian team recently held a fundraising trek to help cover costs for winter tournament. Riders enjoyed a stunning 2.5-hour trek through beautiful Sherenden farmland, taking in spectacular views across Hawke’s Bay 🌾🌄
🙌 A huge thank you to our organising parents, Jenna Cann and Suz Bremner, for making the day such a success. We’re also very grateful to our generous landowners - Kerry and Linda Nankervis, and Leighton Curry and whānau - for welcoming us onto their properties and treating everyone to a BBQ at the finish! 🌭
With such beautiful riding conditions, we’re hoping to make this an annual event! 💙🐎
Swim for Water Polo
A targeted swimming program designed specifically for water polo players - build your fitness, speed, and technique to give you the edge in the water. Choose from:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 6 - 7am
Tuesdays 4 - 5pm
Strength & Shooting Workshop
An 8-week program focused on boosting your power, refining your shooting skills, and building water polo-specific strength - perfect for players who want to score more goals and feel stronger in the game.
$60 for 8 weeks - amazing value to take your game to the next level!
Special offer:
The first 5 players to register get $10 off the fee!
The next 10 players get $5 off.
Get in quick to secure these discounts!
They're a brilliant opportunity to develop key skills, build confidence, and have a ton of fun along the way.
Spots are limited, so make sure you register early!
If you have any questions or would like more info, just reply to this email or contact Emma at admin@hbwaterpolo.net.nz
Positive Vibes
A reminder to bring positive vibes for our sports games. This kaupapa is all about creating a safe, inclusive, and uplifting environment for players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and supporters. Please leave our coaches to do the coaching but bring your sideline energy and support to help shape a positive experience for everyone.
Return to swimming poster_Term 3 2025.pdfMJ Durkin - Head of Sport
Umanga - Careers
Umanga - Careers
Careers Update
The universities open their accommodation portals on 1 August. We encourage our Year 13 students to apply early. Most scholarship websites are now open and it is important that students are proactive and organised in order to reap the rewards. We have all the universities and EIT visiting our school this term and we encourage students to attend these sessions to help plan their course for 2026.
L-R: Georgia Edwards, McKenzie Pepere and Jamie Dunnett-Welch
Otago University On Campus Experience
Jamie and I were lucky enough to be selected for a Māori scholarship to attend an on-campus experience at Otago University. We spent a week in Dunedin with 24 other Year 13 Māori students from across Aotearoa, staying in one of the uni halls. We had current Otago students as kaiāwhina, showing us around and helping with all of our questions. One of our kaiāwhina was an old girl from our school, McKenzie Pepere!
Each day, we explored the campus, halls, and lots of degree options. It was really comforting to see how much support Otago provides for all students, especially the strong support systems available through Te Rōpū Māori for Māori students. We also got to explore Dunedin itself and spent time checking out Castle Street, Robs Roy dairy, the movies, the butterfly museum, as well as climbing the world’s steepest street (Baldwin Street).
One of the best parts of the experience was how quickly everyone bonded through games, activities, and late night card games. This experience gave us a real insight into university life, both academically and socially and we would 100% recommend applying for this experience in Year 13.
by Georgia Edwards and Jamie Dunnett-Welch
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:
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
Tauranga and Hawkes Bay 2025 Pasifika Family Evenings.pdfUniversity Scholarships for Year 13 Students
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
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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