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Empowering ākonga to achieve success and fulfilment, for themselves, whānau and community
Message from our Tumuaki
Message from our Tumuaki
Tena koutou katoa
NZ State Girls’ Schools' Conference – Strengthening Leadership for Our Wāhine
Last week, leaders from New Zealand’s state girls’ schools gathered in Tauranga for the annual NZ State Girls’ Schools' Conference, generously hosted by Tauranga Girls’ College. The conference provided a welcoming space for reflection, inspiration and shared learning, reminding us of the power of collaboration across our network. It was a privilege to attend along with Mr Otto and Ms Johnson.
A standout feature of the conference was the depth and quality of the keynote speakers.
Professor Alison Jones delivered a compelling and thought-provoking session that encouraged us to rethink long-held assumptions about Māori, equity, and schooling. Drawing on decades of research in Māori–Pākehā educational spaces, she urged us to move beyond surface-level understandings of equity and consider the deeper structural and relational changes required to truly serve Māori learners. She reminded us that genuine equity grows from authentic partnership, deep engagement with whānau, and a commitment to weaving te ao Māori meaningfully into our practice. Her keynote set the tone for rich discussion and reaffirmed our responsibility to be courageous leaders for all ākonga.
Kathryn Berkett brought her expertise in neuroscience and trauma-informed practice, reinforcing the critical importance of connection, safety, and emotional regulation within our school communities. Her keynote highlighted how understanding the brain helps us better support both staff and students in an increasingly complex world. Kathryn’s insights offered practical tools for building resilience and nurturing environments where young women feel supported, understood, and able to thrive.
Richie Hardcore delivered a powerful, honest, and engaging session focused on wellbeing, violence prevention, and fostering healthy relationships among young people. His advocacy and lived experience underscored the role schools can play in equipping students — particularly girls — with the knowledge and confidence to make positive choices, challenge harmful behaviours, and build respectful relationships.
Conferences like this are invaluable for leaders of state girls’ schools. They allow us to share best practice, explore shared challenges, and collectively reflect on the unique mission we hold in shaping the next generation of wāhine toa. Most importantly, they strengthen the connections across our network — leaders supporting leaders — ensuring that the girls in our care continue to be nurtured, challenged, and inspired to achieve their very best.
Me te aroha nui ki a koutou katoa
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
NOVEMBER
Friday 28: NCEA Examinations conclude
DECEMBER
Monday 1 - Friday 5: Junior Enrichment Week
FINAL WEEK: All students expected to attend all end-of-year activities
Monday 8: Senior students return to school
Wednesday 10: Awards Ceremony
Thursday 11: Prizegiving Rehearsal during day then Prizegiving at Napier Municipal Theatre, 7.00pm
Friday 12: Gift Service 11.00am, Year 13 Soiree 5.00pm
Friday 12: End of 2025 School Year
JANUARY 2026
Wednesday 14: Uniform Shop open 10.00am - 3.00pm
Saturday 17: Uniform Shop open 10.00am - 2.00pm
Wednesday 21: Uniform Shop open 10.00am to 3.00pm
Saturday 24: Uniform Shop open 10.00am to 2.00pm
Sunday 25: Uniform Shop open 10.00am to 2.00pm
Tuesday 27: Year 12-13 Course confirmation, 9am - 12noon. Students with surnames A-M
Wednesday 28: Year 12-13 Course confirmation, 9am - 12noon. Students with surnames N-Z
Wednesday 28: Uniform Shop open 10.00am to 2.00pm
Thursday 29: Student Leadership Day - Prefects, Tuakana Teina Leaders and Form Captains in school
FEBRUARY
Sunday 1: Year 9 and 13 hostel students return afternoon/evening
Sunday 1: Uniform Shop open 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Monday 2: Uniform Shop open 10.00am to 2.00pm
Year 9 students start at school
Pōwhiri for new International students, new students and whānau
Tuakana Teina Leaders, Form Captains, Deputy Form Captains, and Prefects required in morning
Orientation for new Year 10-13 students
Year 10-12 hostel students return afternoon/evening
Tuesday 3: Whole school in attendance. School photographs for day.
Wednesday 4: Whole school in attendance
Uniform Shop open 1.00pm to 5.30pm
Thursday 5: Whole school in attendance
Friday 6: School & Hostel Closed - Waitangi Day
Information for Juniors - End-of-Year Arrangements
Information for Juniors - End-of-Year Arrangements
Week 9 - Junior Enrichment Week
Year 9 and 10 students will be participating in a wide range of different activities. Please see the separate email for specific details and uniform requirements for each day.
Week 10
Monday 8 December - 8.40am – 2.45pm
Tuesday 9 December - 8.40am – 2.45pm
Wednesday 10 December - 8.40am – 2.45pm: Awards Ceremony
Thursday 11 December - 8.40am – 11.45am: Prizegiving Rehearsal – Municipal Theatre. Buses drop off and pick up from Theatre. ALL buses will leave at 12.00pm.
and 6.40pm – 9.30pm approx.: Prizegiving – Municipal Theatre
Friday 12 December - 8.40am – 12.30pm: Gift Service. School concludes for all students. ALL buses depart at 1.00pm.
All students are required to wear a tie from Wednesday onwards. The formal uniform for these days is: kilt/lavalava/trousers, summer blouse, tie, sandals or black winter shoes with plain white ankle socks.
Attendance at prizegiving is compulsory for all junior students.
Information for Seniors - End-of-Year Arrangements
Information for Seniors - End-of-Year Arrangements
Week 10
Monday 8 December - 8.40am – 12.00pm
Tuesday 9 December - 8.40am – 12.00pm. Year 13 required until 12.45pm.
Wednesday 10 December - 8.40am – 2.45pm: Awards Ceremony
Thursday 11 December - 8.40am – 11.45am: Prizegiving Rehearsal – Municipal Theatre. Buses drop off and pick up from Theatre. ALL buses will leave at 12.00pm.
and 6.40pm – 9.30pm approx.: Prizegiving – Municipal Theatre
Friday 12 December - 8.40am – 12.30pm: Gift Service. School concludes for all students. ALL buses depart at 1.00pm.
All students are required to wear a tie from Wednesday onwards. Year 13 students are required to be in uniform all week. The formal uniform for these days is: kilt/lavalava/trousers, summer blouse, tie, sandals or black winter shoes with plain white ankle socks.
Attendance at prizegiving is compulsory for all senior students.
Prizegiving
Prizegiving
Parents and caregivers are invited to the Napier Girls’ High School Prizegiving at the Napier Municipal Theatre, 7.00pm, on Thursday 11 December 2025.
Prize winners will be issued with tickets for upstairs seating for family members. Please be seated by 6.45pm.
There is seating downstairs in the auditorium and on the stage for all other parents and caregivers. Tickets for these seats will be available from 6.30pm from the ticket office on prizegiving night. There is no charge for the tickets. It would be helpful if all of these ticket holders were seated by 6.45pm and remain in the auditorium. Theatre staff will not allow people without a ticket to enter any of the seating areas. This system of allocating seating has worked extremely well in the past and has alleviated any anxiety about getting a seat.
The school appreciates your efforts in following the above guidelines and looks forward to an evening of celebration.
NZQA Examinations
NZQA Examinations
2025 NZQA examinations commenced on Tuesday 4 November.
Until Friday 5 December, students in Years 11-13 only need to attend school for their external exams. All students are required in school for week 10 (Monday 8 - Friday 12 December).
All students are expected to attend all of the external examinations they are entered in. Students must be at their morning exams by 9.10am at the latest and their afternoon exams by 1.40pm. Parents/caregivers will be contacted if any student is absent from their examination.
For digital exams students must ensure that their devices are fully charged. Students sitting language exams also require headphones which can be plugged into their device - not earpods or bluetooth devices.
Derived Grade Process
Derived Grade Process
Students may apply for a derived grade for an approved reason such as illness, injury or personal trauma if they are unable to attend an examination or believe their performance in an examination has been significantly impacted.
Any students wishing to apply for a derived grade will need to contact Mrs Roberts for an application form. Please note that whilst the application process is done through school, it is NZQA who make all decisions about eligibility and approving derived grades. Applications must be supported with evidence from an independent registered professional.
Here is a useful link explaining in more detail the derived grade process.
If you have any questions concerning NZQA examinations of the derived grade process, please contact Mrs Roberts: rroberts@nghs.school.nz
2025 Exam Timetable.pdfTauiwi - International
Tauiwi - International
This month some of our senior international students have been studying hard and completing their NCEA examinations and the juniors have also been busy with their school work.
The international students not doing exams have participated in a variety of activities around Hawke’s Bay, and two out of town stays.
A beach day was arranged with local schools. The international students enjoyed swimming, beach games and bbq lunch. This was an opportunity to interact with the variety of students from numerous countries who chose to study abroad here in the Bay.
Local activities such as Blokarts, surfing at Waimarama Beach, and high ropes at Tutira have seen our students challenge themselves.
The favourite activity at Rotorua was the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village.
This term we farewell a number of International students and some are going back to their home country for the summer break. Six students are staying over summer and their families are coming to NZ to travel.
We wish all our students safe travels.
Ms Jo Stickley - Manager of International Students
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Interschool Junior Improv Competition
Napier Girls' High School junior improv team 'Bananas and Pajamas' entered into the Interschool Junior Improv Competition. This has been running for 11 years now, a tough competition that sees teams go through three rounds of improvised storytelling. We were up against four other schools. Held at Woodford House this year, the competition was INTENSE. Havelock North was just slightly in the lead after the second round. With the final challenge round to go, Napier Girls' killed it... with their outstanding game of Death in a minute, taking out the entire competition.
The team was made up of:
Y10s - Sadie Bond, Stella Edwards and Carys Newman
Y9s - Emmy Mildenhall, Laila Te Whare, Scarlett Westaway and our team mascot and sub Pippa McLachlan.
Well done team, you were amazing and absolutely deserve the win. We are extremely happy to have Iggy the Improv Imp Trophy back home at NGHS.
Miss Amy Edwards - TiC Drama
Hākinakina - Sports
Hākinakina - Sports
REMINDER:
Monday 1 December: Year 9 Give it a Go Day.
Our NGHS summer programmes are well under way.
Rugby 7s
Our rugby 7s programme included our U18 team playing at the Hurricanes Youth Tournament earlier this month.
Also our junior team played three fixtures. They won against Gisborne 36-34 and lost 28-36 to Wairoa. Our last game of the season was another close encounter against Hastings Girls' 36-32.
Canoe Polo
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
Congratulations to our combined NGHS/THS Junior Canoe Polo team for their incredible performance at the National Competition held in Hastings on Nov 16 & 17. The team went undefeated throughout the entire competition. The final against Karamū High School was an absolute NAIL-BITER of a battle, but our team held strong and secured the win with a 1-0 scoreline!
The NGHS players were:
Kaia Hohaia-Hall
Greer Hambleton
Maia Taylor
Ophelia Booth
An outstanding achievement for all involved. You've made us proud! Ka mau te wehi koutou. Thanks for your outstanding support, Ms Grellman.
Alumna
Old Girl Jamie Evans has been selected for the NZ Futsal team heading off to the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, taking place in the Philippines later this month.
The inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup features 16 teams: four from Asia (hosts Philippines, Iran, Japan and Thailand), four from Europe (Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain), three from South America (Argentina, Brazil and Colombia), two from Africa (Morocco and Tanzania), two from North America (Canada and Panama), and Aotearoa New Zealand from Oceania.
The Futsal Ferns have been drawn in Group C alongside Japan, Portugal and Tanzania.
The team will start their campaign against Japan on 23 November, before facing Tanzania on 26 November and Portugal on 29 November.
All New Zealand games, as well as the semi-finals and finals, will be live and free on TVNZ.
Lifesaving
Napier Girls' High School Lifesavers have won The Bamford Trophy. This is an annual award presented by the Royal Life Saving Society of New Zealand. It is presented to the school with the highest number of awards. It recognises the school's strong engagement and participation in the attainment of lifesaving skills.
proper netabll flyer.docxFutsal
Monday nights have been a buzz with our six futsal teams playing in the local league. Ngā mihi nui to our community coaches and managers who are doing a fabulous job encouraging our players.
Senior Blue - Shelley Cameron
Senior White - Jim Hacker
Junior A - Alisa Schlierike
Junior Blue - Taryn Mason and Warren Gilbertson
Junior White - Toni Chapman
HB Futsal U15 Reps
Well done to Nina Giacometti and Camryn Schlierike who represent HB Futsal for the U15 Girls at the PN Marist Tournament. Coached by Alisa Schlierike, this team had a lot of chemistry on and off the court and placed second at the tournament!
Touch
Our Year 10 team and two Year 9 teams are into the semi-final stages of their Taradale based competition. A recent highlight was the Year 9 blue vs hostel game, where Black Fern 7s player Maia Davies (who has a strong Touch background), joined in with their game.
Volleyball
Tuesday night volleyball is humming with the sounds of balls being bumped, set and spiked. Our five teams are demonstrating excellent levels of commitment and improvement over this session and having a lot of fun along the way.
Thanks to Tracy Bedford for her mahi looking after our teams at the arena. Ngā mihi nui to our parent whānau who have stepped up to help supervise/umpire/score for our teams.
Junior A - Natasha Hema, students Emma and Abby
Junior Blue - Miss Reismann
Junior White - Joe Hitchcock
Junior Navy - students Brylee and Keeva
Junior Green - Sean Hartley
Junior Purple - Bryan Forde
Rowing
Our rowing squad trains four days a week, we have been rowing in singles, doubles, quads, fours and eights. Our first club regatta is next week in Karapiro, and the team has been putting in strong effort on the water to get ready. Everyone is progressing well and excited for the season ahead.
Cricket
Indoor cricket has been a real highlight this term. Wanting to increase opportunities for girls to get involved in the sport, we set out to create a fun, confidence-building environment where players of all abilities felt welcome.
Every Wednesday afternoon for the past six weeks, a keen group of 13 students has headed down to the Indoor Cricket Centre in Onekawa to take part in learning new skills and the basics of cricket. The improvement in skill level and self-belief has been fantastic to see, with students developing everything from batting technique to teamwork and communication.
We’ve also been fortunate to have Kevin and Charlie from the Marist Cricket Club join us each week. Their coaching and enthusiasm have played a huge part in creating such a positive experience for everyone involved.
The programme has been a great success, and we look forward to continuing to grow girls' cricket at NGHS.
Tennis
Much appreciation to our parent support of our two teams:
Junior Blue - Simon Rutherford
Junior White - Sara Brownlie
Disc Golf
Ever wanted to try disc golf? Now’s your chance! Discover one of the fastest-growing sports in New Zealand! Come along, have a throw, and see what all the fun’s about.
10.00am – 2.00pm Saturday 22 November 2025
Anderson Park Disc Golf Course.
Free to play!
Discs available to borrow for beginners.
Free sausage sizzle for anyone who completes one round.
Spot prizes up for grabs!
Perfect for all ages and skill levels — just show up, give it a go, and enjoy a great day out!
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 - HoLA Sport
New Bus Network Launches 25 January 2026
New Bus Network Launches 25 January 2026
Get ready for a better-connected Napier and Hastings — the new Hawke’s Bay bus network launches on 25 January 2026. The redesigned network will be more direct and simpler to understand services, better connect the cities, and offer new connections to Hawke’s Bay Airport and the Regional Sports Park.
In preparation, you might notice some work happening over the summer months as new bus stops are installed in Napier and Hastings. These new stops will provide access to the new network for passengers. We appreciate your patience while this important work is carried out and look forward to welcoming you on board the new network early in the new year.
To see a map of the planned routes and more information, visit the GoBay website.
Reviewing Board Policies, Term 4 2025
Reviewing Board Policies, Term 4 2025
To Parents/Caregivers,
This term the scheduled review focuses on behaviour management, and staff wellbeing and safety, and we are inviting input from parents/caregivers:
- Bullying and Harassment
- Behaviour Management
- Searches, Surrender, and Retention of Property
- Minimising Physical Restraint
- Stand-down, Suspension, and Exclusion
- Staff Wellbeing and Safety
If you wish to be part of this process, please follow these steps below.
1. Visit the website https://nghs.schooldocs.co.nz
2. Enter the username (nghs) and password (adlucem).
3. Click on “Current Review”
4. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
5. Read the policy.
6. Click the blue “Start your review” button near the top right-hand corner of the page.
7. Select the reviewer type - "Whānau".
8. Enter your name (optional).
9. Submit your ratings and comments.
10. If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Thank you and we look forward to your feedback no later than Monday 24 November 2025.
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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