Embedded Files
Empowering ākonga to achieve success and fulfilment, for themselves, whānau and community
Message from our Tumuaki
Message from our Tumuaki
Kia ora koutou,
It has been fabulous to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our ākonga recently.
We congratulate our choirs for their outstanding success at The Big Sing. Special mention to Ad Lucem who took out two awards - the Von Dadelszen Award for Best Performance of a New Zealand Composition or Arrangement, and Best Performance of a Piece in Te Reo Māori, for 'A Charm for Rain: He Tua i Te Rangi'. Congratulations also to our recently combined NBHS and NGHS choir Kotahitanga who won the Choral Art Music Award for 'The Fire Dance of Luna'.
Congratulations also to our speakers, Peyton Pomana and Audrey Anna Robin, who represented Napier Girls' at the Manu Kōrero competition. Ka rawe!
We were incredibly proud to see two Napier Girls’ High School students recognised at the recent Hawke’s Bay Volunteer Excellence Awards. Congratulations to Olivia Meynell, who was awarded Runner-Up in the Youth Changemaker category, and to Giselle Baudet, along with Ansika Negi (Taradale High school), co-chairs of the Napier Youth Council, who were finalists in this section. These young women exemplify the spirit of service, leadership, and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. Through their contributions to our school and the wider Hawke’s Bay community, they embody the values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kairangi whaiaro.
Volunteering is at the heart of strong and connected communities. It is through the generosity of people who give their time, skills, and energy that opportunities are created, lives are enriched, and communities thrive. We extend our sincere thanks to all of our students, staff, parents, whānau, and community members who volunteer in countless ways to support Napier Girls’ High School and the wider Hawke’s Bay region. Your contributions make a lasting difference and help make our community a better place for all.
Best wishes to our Showquest participants for their performance next week.
Our combined Kapa Haka rōpu are gearing up for Nationals being held in Week 11. We wish them all the best for their campaign.
Our PTA is also in full swing organising the Art for All exhibition. Our PTA at Napier Girls' High School play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the educational experience of our ākonga. The PTA is dedicated to fostering a strong partnership between parents, teachers, and the wider school community to ensure the best outcomes for all.
The PTA's main fundraiser is the Art for All exhibition, an event that not only brings the community together, but also showcases and sells affordable artwork. This event is essential as it raises significant funds that benefit all students. The money raised supports various school programmes, in particular around wellbeing, and provides additional resources that directly enhance student learning.
The dedication and hard mahi of the PTA members is deeply appreciated by us. Their continuous effort and commitment makes a significant difference in the lives of our students, contributing to a positive and nurturing school environment. Ngā mihi.
Supporting the PTA and its initiatives like the Art for All exhibition is not only an investment in the school, but also in the future of the students. We look forward to seeing you at this event.
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
JUNE 2026:
Saturday 20: NZSS XC Champs, Wellington
Monday 22: Dental Planet onsite
Monday 22: Showquest HB Regionals
Wednesday 24: Young Readers' Cup, Havelock North High School, 4pm - 5.30pm
Thursday 25: Board Meeting, 5.30pm in H7
Friday 26: NGHS Cross Country Champs
Friday 26: Art for All Exhibition Opening Night
Friday 26 - Sunday 28: Art for All Exhibition, NGHS hall
Sunday 28 - Friday 3 July: Year 11 Leadership and Outdoor Adventure Camp (20 students)
Sunday 28 - Friday 3 July: Kapa Haka Nationals
Tuesday 30: Year 9 Shakespeare Day including Year 9 Speech Finals
JULY 2026:
Friday 3: END OF TERM 2
Friday 10: Matariki
Monday 20: START OF TERM 3
Tuesday 21: Loves Me Not Programme for Year 13
Wednesday 22: Matariki Celebration
Friday 24: Year 10 Future Focus morning
Friday 24: Year 11 Speech Finals
Saturday 25: NGHS School Ball
Hākinakina - Sports
Hākinakina - Sports
Coming up: NGHS Cross Country - Friday 26 June
PNGHS Sports Exchange (development teams)
It was a positive day with a 4 to 3 result from our 7 fixtures. Thank you to Emma and her team from PNGHS for being part of our fun, despite it being a very rainy day!
Ngā mihi nui our community coaches and officials Jeremy Senior, Geoff Blackmore, Clifton Bush Jr, Raech Hayes, Ian Geary, Glen Walklin, Liv McKinnon and Jewell Carlson for giving up their time to be part of our day. Also, to our staff Mrs Roberts, Miss Parsons, Mrs Collins, Tetia McDonald, Miss Hutchinson, Mrs Taylor, and Sports Department Staff - Esther, Tracy and Graecyn for their support.
Fabulous to have some recent Old Girls back to help support our day - Charlotte Cameron, Taryn Hayes and Anania Tamati-Herrick.
Note: our premier teams will play their games in Term 3, as part of a double header with New Plymouth Girls' High School.
Special shout out to Kassi Bray-Pharazyn, Mrs Collins, Tetia McDonald and Miss Hutchinson for their fabulous photos.
IPC Volleyball Tournament in Wellington
Aora Shroff, Kaira Shroff, and Milla Funnell were part of the Hawke’s Bay U17 second team. For most of them, this was their first tournament and they were up against older and often much taller players. While the team didn’t come away with any wins, the girls showed great determination, resilience, and teamwork. Most importantly, they had a lot of fun!
Netball
All the best to Emily Crowther as she heads to Australia with the New Zealand Secondary Schools' Netball team these July holidays. On top of her school training and HB U18 representative commitments, Emily has been putting in the extra mahi. This has looked like early morning specialised sessions in preparation for her international match games.
Morning Fitness Sessions
Shout out to our students who have braved the early morning fitness sessions on Wednesday for cross-fit with Waka Petera, or Fridays for 6-week conditioning blocks with Katie Beal. Keep an eye on the notices for Term 3 sign ups.
Video Morning.mp4Nfinite Fitness High School Off Peak.pdf
Lost Property
If either of these pairs of shoes are yours, please come and see us in the Gym Office.
Alumna
Congratulations Briana Stephenson who has made the NZ Athletics Team for the Commonwealth Games.
Congratulations also to Kimiora Poi who has made the NZ Netball Team for the Commonwealth Games.
We love to acknowledge student achievements!
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, on social media and on our celebration wall in the gym or held for future consideration for school sports badges and achievement awards.
Mrs MJ Durkin - Head of Sport
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Drama Workshop
We had the absolute pleasure of having Dr James Wenley - a lecturer in Theatre and Performance Studies at Victoria University - take some of our senior Drama students for a workshop where the students explored how to approach a new script. We were all incredibly grateful for his time, energy, and expertise. This is all in preparation for one of our Youthfest entries, which is a 1 act competition where the students either devise a piece or direct a play by a NZ playwright. The play we worked on with James is 'Freefall', an absurdist piece of theatre written by Ken Mizusawa, a Japanese born, Singaporean raised, New Zealand resident.
Year 12 Class Play
Our Year 12 Drama class are excited to present their class play ‘The Oddity’ by Mickey Delahunty (a NZ playwright). 'The Oddity' is a game show that follows contestants through a variety of challenges, that has a surprising twist at the end.
When: Thursday 25 June
Where: N9 (Drama Room)
Time: 6.30 - 7.30pm
Cost: Koha entry
Rock Quest
The stage at Toitoi Theatre came alive on Saturday 13 June as the combined NGHS/NBHS band Lucidation took to the spotlight with an electrifying performance in the 2026 Rock Quest Finals. Featuring talented musicians Tayla Baxter, Chloe Evans, and Audrey Anna Robin, alongside Manawa Rakete from NBHS, the group brought incredible energy, confidence, and musicianship to the evening.
The line-up showcased an impressive range of talent, making for a highly entertaining night that had the audience thoroughly engaged from start to finish. Lucidation's passion for performance and commitment was evident throughout their performance.
NGHS would like to extend a special congratulations to Tayla Baxter, who was recognised as Musician of the Evening. This outstanding achievement reflects Tayla's dedication, skill, and musical excellence.
Well done to all the members of Lucidation for representing our school with such enthusiasm and professionalism. You will be able to see a snapshot of their performance at the Music Evening here at NGHS on Wednesday 1 July.
Copy of Rockquest 3.movHawke's Bay Music Hub Scholarship
An extraordinary opportunity has been made possible through the generosity of the Estate of Dorothy Pimm. Each year, the Trust awards three scholarships of $2,000 to talented young performers and singer-songwriters, supporting them to build practical industry skills, refine their artistic voice, and release professionally recorded original music.
NGHS is thrilled to congratulate Jasmine Hacker on being selected as one of this year's recipients of this prestigious award. This remarkable achievement recognises Jasmine's creativity, dedication, and outstanding musical talent.
Jasmine is currently working with Jonny Pipe to professionally record her original song. Jonny is an innovative sound engineer, recording, mixing and designing audio for the diverse media industries such as radio, television, cinema and online.
We are incredibly proud to see her taking this exciting step into the music industry and sharing her unique voice with a wider audience. Congratulations, Jasmine! We cannot wait to hear your music and follow your journey as an emerging artist.
Outstanding Success at Chamber Music Competition
The Chamber Music Competition held on Thursday 4 June was an exceptional showcase of talent, dedication, and musicianship. The ten groups representing NGHS performed with remarkable confidence, polish, and professionalism, filling the Blyth Performing Arts Centre with beautiful music and leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and adjudicators.
We are thrilled to celebrate the success of three outstanding ensembles that progressed through to the Regional Finals on Friday evening:
Perfectto Quartetto featuring Eva Aparicio Pierard, Connie Zeng, Isobel Stubbs, and Javier Aparicio Pierard delivered a captivating performance of a Mozart String Quartet and were awarded Highly Commended.
Melusine Trio featuring Umika Samei, Sophia Zeng, and Amelia Stubbs enchanted the audience with their performance of Melusine by Dominique Taboureaux and were recipients of the prestigious IRMT Monetary Award.
Harmonia Trio featuring Connie Zeng, Joyce Liu, and Sophia Zeng also impressed adjudicators with their outstanding musicianship and secured a place in the Regional Finals.
Congratulations to all students who participated. Your commitment, preparation, and passion for music were evident throughout the competition, and you represented NGHS with distinction.
Adding to their busy and successful week, Melusine Trio and Harmonia Trio were invited to perform at the Old Girls' Luncheon held yesterday at the Taradale Club. Their performances were warmly received and brought great joy to all in attendance.
We are incredibly proud of all our chamber musicians and look forward to following their future musical achievements.
Ad Lucem
Kotahitanga
Big Sing 2026 A Spectacular Celebration of Choral Music
Toitoi Theatre was alive with energy, excitement, and outstanding music as 18 choirs gathered for the 2026 Big Sing Festival. The stage became a showcase of extraordinary talent, with performances ranging from breathtakingly beautiful choral masterpieces to vibrant international works bursting with colour and energy. Audiences were treated to a rich variety of styles, emotions, and cultures, making for an unforgettable day of music-making.
The standard of performance throughout the festival was exceptional. Choir after choir captivated listeners with rich harmonies, expressive storytelling, and polished musicianship, highlighting the incredible depth of young choral talent across the region.
Ad Lucem rose magnificently to the occasion, delivering a confident, expressive, and musically compelling programme. Their dedication, artistry, and passion for singing shone through in every piece, earning admiration from both audience members and fellow performers. They represented NGHS with pride, professionalism, and excellence. Well done to Lily Harrington for her conducting both on the day and in the evening performance.
Ngā Ihi o te Rā enchanted the audience with a beautifully contrasting programme that showcased both the warmth and power of choral singing. Their performance moved seamlessly from rich, carefully crafted harmonies to contemporary works full of character and expression, demonstrating the versatility and talent of the choir.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Atkinson for his direction and dedication, and Sarah Lee, Rinie Coppelmans, Lily Harrington, Eva Aparicio Pierard, Isla Newman and Emma Duncan for their beautiful accompaniment.
A special moment was the debut performance of Kotahitanga, our newly formed combined choir with NBHS. Standing proudly together on the Toitoi stage for the very first time, the singers delivered a heartfelt and inspiring performance. Their courage, unity, and commitment to musical excellence reflected the spirit of collaboration between our schools and made a lasting impression on all who watched.
A heartfelt thank you must go to Emma Brooker and Zilin Zhao for their outstanding accompaniment. Their musical skill, dedication, and professionalism provided invaluable support to our choir and contributed greatly to the success of each performance.
Beyond the performances themselves, the festival provided students with opportunities to learn from one another, celebrate their shared love of music, and create memories that will last long after the final note was sung. New friendships were formed, musical horizons were broadened, and the joy of choral singing was on full display throughout the day.
Congratulations to all members of Ad Lucem, Ngā Ihi o te Rā, and Kotahitanga. Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm were evident in every performance, and we are so pleased that your hard work was recognised in the evenings prizegiving; Ad Lucem won two awards - Best Performance of a piece in te reo Māori and the Von Dadelszen Family Award for the Best Performance of a New Zealand Choral Composition. Kotahitanga walked away with the Choral Art Music Award.
Show Quest
We are looking forward to seeing months of hard work all come together next Monday with our Showquest entry ‘Emma Twigg - Ki Te Mārama’. Tickets are on sale here. We will share photos after the event.
Music Evening - An Evening of Musical Excellence
Mark your calendars for Wednesday 1 July at 6.30pm, when the NGHS School Hall will come alive with the sound of music, talent, and celebration!
Join us for a spectacular evening showcasing the incredible achievements of our Music Department. This special concert will feature performances from a wide range of ensembles and musicians who have represented the school with distinction throughout the year. From award-winning Chamber groups and Rockquest finalists to inspiring choirs and outstanding soloists, the programme promises something for everyone.
Audiences will be treated to performances from:
Ad Lucem Choir
Ngā Ihi o te Rā Choir
The School Orchestra
Rockquest Finalists
Chamber Music Finalists
Soloists and Duets
And many more talented performers!
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication, passion, and countless hours of rehearsal that our students have invested in their music-making. Whether you enjoy powerful choral singing, exciting contemporary performances, or beautiful instrumental music, this concert is sure to entertain and inspire.
Come along and support our talented musicians as they share the music that has brought them success throughout 2026. It promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with energy, creativity, and outstanding performances.
The concert begins at 6.30pm and will conclude by 8.30pm. Entry: $10 per person.
We look forward to seeing you there for what promises to be a fantastic celebration of music at NGHS!
A reminder to contact Liv, music@nghs.school.nz if you have any Performing Arts news or celebrations you would like to share with our school community.
Ms Tess Tobin - HoLA Performing Arts
Tremains Art for All Exhibition
Tremains Art for All Exhibition
Opening Night Tickets Now Live!
Secure Yours Today
Tremains ART for All Exhibition Sponsorship
The AFAE Committee, on behalf of Napier Girls’ High School, would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the amazing sponsors of this event. Your generous support makes this exhibition possible – we couldn’t do it without you!
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
The Tremains Art for All Exhibition is just a week away — and Opening Night tickets are on sale at Eventfinda (link below).
Be among the first to experience this much-loved event and preview an incredible collection of artwork from across Aotearoa New Zealand, alongside pieces from talented NGHS students. With limited tickets available, we recommend purchasing early to avoid missing out.
Why “Art for All”?
Art for All is designed to make art accessible to everyone:
Most artworks priced under $1,300, with select pieces up to $5,000
100% of proceeds go directly to Napier Girls’ High School
Over $250,000 raised to date, supporting ākonga in their academic and creative journeys
Opening Night Function – Limited Tickets Available
Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Time: 5.30pm – 8.00pm
Venue: NGHS Hall
Tickets: Purchase here
Kick off the exhibition in style at this exclusive R18 event. Opening Night offers a first look — and first opportunity to purchase — before the exhibition opens to the public.
Enjoy:
Delicious canapés
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments
Live entertainment
A vibrant, social atmosphere
Exhibition Weekend – Free Public Entry
Can’t make Opening Night? The exhibition is open all weekend:
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June
10.00am – 3.00pm daily | NGHS Hall | FREE entry
Featuring 70+ professional artists from across Aotearoa
A unique opportunity to purchase original artwork
All proceeds supporting NGHS
Don’t miss the popular Pop-Up Gallery in the foyer:
Art and design items from $5–$200
Prints, jewellery, ceramics and more
We’d love your support to make this year’s event the most successful yet.
Come along, spread the word, and celebrate creativity while giving back to our school community.
A huge thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this event possible.
Find out more: artforall.co.nz
Follow & share: Facebook / Instagram
Questions? nghsaae@gmail.com
Umanga - Careers
Umanga - Careers
Te Kete Construction Site Visit
Some of our Year 12 students had the recent opportunity to visit the Te Kete construction site in Napier, gaining valuable insight into the world of façade manufacture and modern construction practices.
The visit provided a fantastic hands-on learning experience, allowing students to explore career pathways within the construction industry and see large-scale projects in action. They learnt about architectural & technical design, 3D BIM models, manufacture, QA and installation. This gave students an insight into job opportunities associated with façades -including key skills and qualifications - and a viewing of the office tower facade.
A huge thank you to MCLStead Construction for hosting our students and providing such an informative and valuable experience which will no doubt help our students connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities.
Speaker Call-Out: Year 10 Future Focus Morning
📅 When: Friday 24 July (9:30am–10:30am)
📍 Where: Napier Girls' High School
We're looking for a diverse group of engaging speakers from a range of industries to help inspire our Year 10 students as they begin thinking about their future pathways.
What's involved?
Sharing your career journey — the twists, turns, challenges and opportunities along the way.
Taking part in a relaxed, MC-led panel discussion alongside other local professionals.
Talking about the skills, attitudes and experiences that have helped you succeed.
Helping students understand that there are many different pathways to a rewarding career.
Making a positive impact on the next generation of Hawke's Bay young people.
The morning will feature a series of short speaker spotlights followed by a conversational Q&A, giving students the opportunity to hear a variety of real-life career stories and perspectives.
Interested?
Please contact jhadley@nghs.school.nz for more information about the event format and timings.
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 2027. 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
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:
1 July - Waikato University (Tauranga Campus) register here
24 July - Lincoln University
5 August - Massey University (Manawatu Campus)
15 August - Massey University (Auckland Campus)
21 August - Victoria University
21 August - Massey University (Wellington Campus)
28 August - Canterbury University
29 August - Auckland University
29 August - AUT
Caroline Johnson, Jess Radich, Deb Verhoeven - Careers Advisers
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
Gold Ceremony at Government House
I recently had the privilege of attending the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award Gold Ceremony at Government House, an occasion that truly celebrates perseverance, service, and personal growth.
Students who achieve their Gold Award are invited to have this prestigious honour presented by the Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, alongside other esteemed guests. It is always a very special occasion and a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate our participants who have completed this outstanding international award.
This year’s guest speaker was Alexander Hillary, grandson of the late Sir Edmund Hillary. In New Zealand, the Award proudly carries Sir Edmund’s name, and it was inspiring to hear how Alexander continues his grandfather’s legacy through his work as CEO of the Hillary Trust. At just 29 years old, he connected effortlessly with the 80 young New Zealanders receiving their Gold Awards, sharing messages that were both relatable and deeply motivating.
Drawing on his grandfather’s wisdom, Alexander reminded us that “people don’t decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.” He challenged students to look up from their mobile phones and instead engage with the people and environment around them, because it is these connections that lead to a full and meaningful life. He emphasised the importance of serving others and adding value to the lives of those around us.
Sir Edmund Hillary’s legacy continues to inspire generations, with timeless reminders such as:
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
“Motivation is the single most important factor in any sort of success.”
“You don’t have to be a hero to accomplish great things, compete with your best self.”
The Gold Award represents commitment across service, physical activity, skills, and an adventurous journey, often over several years. It is no small achievement, and those who reach this level should be incredibly proud.
Attending this ceremony was a powerful reminder of the potential within our young people. Their dedication, resilience, and willingness to challenge themselves reflects the very best of what this award stands for. We congratulate recent Old Girls' Georgia Jones, Lucy Morrison, Madeleine Dolley, Abby Gold and current NGHS student Giselle Baudet, and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to have in their communities and beyond.
Louise Bassett-Foss - Award Leader
International Languages Week
International Languages Week
Last week we celebrated International Languages Week 2026 with the theme Global Culture: the words, places, stories, food, music, celebrations, and customs that connect us.
Students took part in a range of activities throughout the week, including our main event, the House Languages Quiz. There was fantastic participation across the school, with students completing a scavenger hunt to find questions around the campus and submitting their answers online.
We also held a poster competition on the theme Untranslatable Words, where students explored words from other languages that do not translate neatly into English. The entries included both digital and hand-drawn designs and showed wonderful creativity and curiosity about language and culture.
A group of senior students attended a French Film festival movie at the Globe theatre, whilst our senior Spanish students represented us at the annual Senior Spanish Trivia Evening at Karamu High School. A great time was had by all, and our team was thrilled to come home with the win!
International students also shared their experiences in assembly, speaking about some of the similarities and differences between school life in New Zealand and overseas. Umika gave a particularly engaging presentation about school life in Japan, and students were surprised to learn how long the Japanese school day can be and that students clean their school every day.
It was a wonderful week of learning, connection, and celebration. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make International Languages Week such a success!
Mr Strahan Winchester - HoLA Languages
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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