Embedded Files
Empowering ākonga to achieve success and fulfilment, for themselves, whānau and community
Message from our Tumuaki
Message from our Tumuaki
Talofa, Ni sa bula, Mālo ni, Kia orana.
As we celebrate Pasifika Week, warm Pasifika greetings to you all. Our Fono was a well attended event - an opportunity for us to build on the strong relationships we have with our Pasifika whānau. Our Vaine Toa and Deputy Head Prefect, Sophie Hyde, organised many events this week to share and celebrate Pasifika culture.
It was wonderful to meet with Year 9 whānau earlier this week at our Whānau Evening. We were thrilled with the turn out, despite the cold weather. Our Year 9 ākonga have settled in well to life at NGHS and are positively engaged, enhancing our school community. Tino pai!
We welcomed the prefects from our brother school to our assembly this week. Both head prefects, Audrey Anna Robin (NGHS) and Taika King (NBHS), addressed our school. There is something unique about the relationship between Napier Girls' High School and Napier Boys' High School. We share more than a boundary - we share history, community, and whānau. Generations of whānau have walked through both our gates. We support one another in sport, culture, and leadership, and while there is healthy rivalry at times, it is always grounded in mutual respect.
To our NBHS and NGHS prefects - leadership is not just about wearing a badge. It is about service, integrity, and the example you set every day. As leaders in Ahuriri, the way you work alongside one another - young women and young men - matters. Together you help shape the tone of our wider community. We wish you all the best for the year ahead.
International Women’s Day 2026 – Give to Gain
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” is a powerful reminder that leadership, success and fulfilment are not built on what we take, but on what we contribute. At Napier Girls’ High School, we see this lived out every day.
When our students give their time to support a teammate, mentor a younger student, perform in a production, serve on a council, help in the hostel, or represent the school with pride — they gain confidence, resilience, friendships and a deeper sense of purpose. When they give kindness, they gain connection. When they give effort, they gain achievement. When they give courage, they gain growth.
As a girls’ school with a proud history stretching back to 1884, we know that wāhine who lift others, rise themselves. “Give to Gain” aligns beautifully with our core values of Manaakitanga (care and respect), Whanaungatanga (strong relationships), and Kairangi Whaiaro (personal excellence).
International Women’s Day is a celebration — but it is also a call to action. It invites our young women to consider:
What will I give to my community?
How will I use my voice?
How can my contribution make a difference?
The world needs courageous, generous leaders. At NGHS, we are proud to nurture young women who understand that by giving their best — to others and to themselves — they truly gain the skills, character and confidence to shape the future.
Kia manuia,
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
MARCH 2026
Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11: Level 3 Geography Tongariro Research Field Trip
Tuesday 10: HBSS Swimming Championships
Wednesday 11: Geography Coastal Research Field Trip
Thursday 12: Level 1 Commerce Market Day
Friday 13: Athletic Sports at Marewa Park, 8.40am - 2.30pm
Saturday 14: Waka Ama SS Regionals
Saturday 14 - Sunday 15: Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Tramp
Monday 16 - Tuesday 17: Pegasus Cup - Equestrian
Tuesday 17: NCEA Evening for Year 10 & Year 11 Whānau, 5.30pm in Library
Thursday 19: ECNI Athletics Champs
Friday 20: NZSS Senior Canoe Polo Championships & Cup
Saturday 21 - Sunday 22: NZSS Kayak Nationals
Monday 23: PTA Meeting, 7.00pm in staffroom
Monday 23 - Friday 27: Summer Tournament Week
Thursday 26: Junior Social at NGHS Gym (information will be emailed)
Friday 27: Hostel Open Day
Saturday 28: NISS Athletics Champs
Saturday 28: NZSS Canoe Slalom Champs
Sunday 29: Orienteering - Schools Rural Training Day
Monday 30: Shakespeare Festival
Tuesday 31: Pūhoro Wānanga
Tuesday 31: Student Coach Days
APRIL 2026
Wednesday 1: Gala Day Rugby & Rippa 7s
Thursday 2: END OF TERM 1
Hākinakina - Sports
Hākinakina - Sports
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday 13 March - Athletic Sports at Marewa Park
Winter Sports Trials (see information below)
Athletics Pre-Events
Tuesday 10 March: Open 3000m - 8am, Marewa Park
Wednesday 11 March: Javelin - Lunchtime, Bottom Green
Note: The Championship sign up form has been emailed to students this week and closes on Sunday 9 March.
Splash and Dash!
Ka rawe to all students and staff being part of our first Inter-House competition of the year. Thank you to everyone who participated, our wonderful staff who ran the events, Mrs Edwards our MC, and the fabulous morning set up crew. Results will be announced at this Monday's assembly and in our next newsletter.
Rowing
Shout out to our junior rowers who have been fully committed to their rowing programme and training hard with their HB rowing crews over the summer. Thank you to coaches Matthew Simmonds, Hamish Lack, and Simon Lack, and also Jessica Scott who's hard work with the club is truly appreciated, and Sam Brown for parent support on the trips.
Results:
Lucy Porter: 4th in the Novice Coxed Quad Sculls, 5th in the Novice Coxed Eight, 7th in the Novice Double Sculls
Hazel Laurence: 9th in the A Final Novice Coxed Four, 5th in the Novice Coxed Eight, 6th in the B Final for Novice Coxed Quad Sculls
Ula Chan: 8th in the Novice Coxed Four, 5th in the Novice Coxed Eight
Scarlett Westaway: 9th in the Novice Coxed Four, 7th in the Novice Coxed Eight, 3rd in the Mixed Exhibition Intermediate Eight
All the best to our 7 students competing at NISS Rowing Champs in Karapiro this week: Lucy Porter, Hazel Laurence, Ula Chan, Scarlett Westaway, Pippa Crowther, Meja Mason, and Monique Brown.
Napier Port Swim
Shout out to all out ākonga and kaiako who completed the Napier Port Swim last Saturday.
Congratulations to our Sports Captain, Breeze van Veldhuizen, who was the 1st female across the finish line in the 2.5km ocean swim and placed 2nd overall. Aluma, Lola Nicolls was the 2nd female.
In the 1km event Sofia Boucher Taotahi was 1st female and in the 500m event Addy Wairama was the 1st female across the finish line and placed 2nd overall.
Tumeke ngā kotiro!
Sport Keynote
Dr Craig Harrison’s youth sport keynote is happening next week here in Havelock North. We’re seeing more young athletes dealing with pressure, burnout, injuries, and dropping out of sport, and Craig’s talk offers practical, helpful ways parents and coaches can better support them to stay healthy and loving sport.
Staff Achievements
Congratulations to Mrs Klinge, who completed an ultra marathon in February. She completed 102km in 13 hours 57. Mrs Klinge's next event is the Faultline 103km in April.
Winter Sports
Winter sports registrations are now open on myKindo. Please note a commitment fee is required prior to attending trials 🏀 ⚽️ 🏑
Please check the trials calendar. It is recommended you go to all trials available for your sport.
Calling all Coaches!
Please note each of our sports teams are dependent on coach and manager volunteers being available - parents and whānau are invited to volunteer within the WINTER SPORTS registration form 🏉🎾🏑🏓⚽️. Alternatively, please contact sport@nghs.school.nz for more information.
Alumni
Last week, Charlotte Lancaster made her debut for the Ford Football Ferns.🩶 Ka rawe Charlotte!
Grace Henricksen has been selected into the U21 Junior Paddle Ferns once again! Grace heads to the World Championships being held in Duisburg, Germany in September. Taukē!
Graecyn Parahi had several high-level scholarship offers to choose from before deciding on the Women's Basketball team in Riverside, California. All the best for your new adventures Graecyn. You will always be a girl of the white and blue and we are all behind you. Haere rā, e kake ki ngā taumata tiketike.
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 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
Nixon Block continues to hum as we enter mid-term. It’s been wonderful to see our Performing Arts students maintaining their enthusiasm and commitment across all areas of the department.
Show rehearsals are progressing well, thanks to the continued dedication from our students' and teachers.
Our itinerant music lessons are well underway - payments for these lessons have been sent out via Kindo.
Our Rock Group has also begun meeting at 7:30am, and it’s fantastic to see students starting their mornings making music together.
We’re looking forward to our upcoming Ad Lucem Choir Camp this weekend.
Dance auditions have now concluded, and we are thrilled to have selected 14 fantastic groups.
Thank you to everyone for your continued energy in Nixon Block, it’s exciting to see so much happening across all areas of Performing Arts as the term progresses.
Ad Lucem Choir Camp
Get Ready for Ad Lucem’s Big Sing 2026 Rehearsal!
On Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March, the talented members of Ad Lucem Choir will be gathering in Nixon Block for an action-packed rehearsal weekend, preparing for Big Sing 2026! Under Mr Atkinson’s guidance, the girls will work on an exciting repertoire, polishing their harmonies, sharpening their sections, and blending together to create the breathtaking sound that Ad Lucem is renowned for.
The weekend will culminate in a showcase concert in the Hall at 3:30 PM on Saturday. Everyone is warmly invited to come and experience the incredible progress the choir has made over this intensive rehearsal weekend. You won’t want to miss the magic!
NGHS/NBHS Combined choir
Our new choir is truly finding its stride! Rehearsals are buzzing with energy as the group settles into a strong and focused routine, diving enthusiastically into their repertoire for BIG SING 2026. Voices are blending beautifully, confidence is growing, and wonderful new friendships are forming along the way. Each student is discovering their unique sound and special place within the ensemble.
The journey has only just begun and the excitement for what’s ahead is building every week!
Chamber Music Update
The chamber groups are beginning to take shape and are showing excellent progress. Many groups have already selected their repertoires and are actively engaging in rehearsals. It is a pleasure to hear the music resonating through the halls of Nixon Block.
Several groups are still seeking additional members to complete their music ensembles. If your daughter is able to assist, please contact Ms Tobin or Liv McCloskey via email at music@nghs.school.nz
School Orchestra
The School Orchestra is now fully operational, with rehearsals convening on Thursday lunchtimes. Students who wish to join are encouraged to do so and contribute to the development of this dynamic ensemble.
The orchestra is currently preparing a carefully selected repertoire to be performed throughout the year. In addition, we are planning to participate in the MEFA Ensemble and Orchestra Festival in Wellington in late September, providing students with an exciting opportunity to showcase their musical talents on a wider stage.
Michael Houstoun in Concert – A Must-See Event!
Join us at the MTG Century Theatre, Napier on Sunday 29 March at 3:00 PM for an unforgettable afternoon of live piano music with the talented Michael Houstoun. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience world-class performance right here in Napier!
Music students are offered a special discounted rate. Please check school communications for details and encourage your daughter to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a truly inspiring musical experience!
Please click on https://michaelhoustoun.co.nz/ for more details of the concert.
Rockband
The 7:30am start has not deterred our Rock Band groups from meeting on Wednesday mornings. We are lucky enough to have Jason Alexander of Naked Gun meet with the girls to share his expertise. We really appreciate the input and inspiration he offers the students. Between the collaborative music, the specialist knowledge and shared breakfast- this is certainly not a bad way to start our Wednesday mornings!
Itinerant Lessons
We have filled a lot of our Itinerant lesson spaces in the last 5 weeks, but this does not mean you have missed out. Please come and see Liv in Nixon or email her at music@nghs.school.nz if you would still like some information about any of our Instrument or Speech and Drama lessons.
Thank you to all who have paid for the lessons so far, we appreciate that Kindo is a new system, so please feel free to reach out if you have any queries.
Our School Production of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
INTRODUCING the MINOR LEADS…
Tobia Cattaneo as James (Skater)
Fletcher Johnson as Alan (Skater)
Harley Shaw as Ripper (Skater)
Tula Pancotti as Martha (Brainiac)
Alannah Gillies as Susan (Cheer Leader)
Addy Wairama as Cyndra (Cheer Leader)
Ada Seymour as Cathy (Cheer Leader)
Lennox Lancaster as MC and Moderator
Ollie Grundy as Kratniff
Sammie Scott as Mrs Tenny
On Sunday 1 March, the cast powered through a FULL run through of Act One, and what an incredible effort it was! The energy, focus, and commitment on display were absolutely inspiring.
If this is what the cast and teachers can accomplish in just a month, then we are well and truly on our way to something spectacular. This production is shaping up to be something really special!
We could not put these productions together without our brother-school. The students from NBHS have been attending rehearsals with high levels of enthusiasm, preparation and respect for our students and school property. We absolutely love having them here and we thank them, the staff and whānau for the last few weeks of rehearsals!
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – RED CARPET GALA EVENING
Lights, camera… celebration! We are thrilled to announce the Opening Night Gala for this year’s spectacular production of High School Musical with the support from our wonderful NGHS PTA committee.
Join us on Wednesday 29 April from 6:00pm at the Municipal Theatre for an unforgettable Red Carpet experience. This glamorous evening is your chance to be among the very first to see the show and to celebrate in true opening-night style.
Tickets: $35
Your ticket includes:
• Delicious refreshments and canapés
• A complimentary programme
• Preferential booking
• An exclusive meet-and-greet with our lead cast members
This is more than a performance…it’s a celebration of the extraordinary talent, dedication, and creativity of our students.
Limited tickets available
To secure your place, please complete the Expression of Interest form below. With demand expected to be high, we encourage you to register early.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We are also inviting members of our wonderful NGHS community to partner with us through our sponsorship packages:
Bronze – $100+
• Advertising space in our Production programme
Silver – $500+
• 1 Gala ticket
• 2 Show tickets
• Advertising space in our programme
Gold – $1000+
• 2 Gala tickets
• 4 Show tickets
• Premium advertising space in our programme
Your support helps bring this production to life, from the stage to the scaffolding and everything in between! Every contribution, big or small, makes a meaningful difference.
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our NGHS PTA and school community. If you have any questions about ticketing or sponsorship, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at music@nghs.school.nz
Let’s make this opening night one to remember!
Expression of Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lMkpUOo_8YJqIEUPsjFd8_mewnaT8cCWQleVu0_WFsA/edit
Ms Tess Tobin - HoLA Performing Arts
Umanga - Careers
Umanga - Careers
Year 13 Tertiary Information Sessions
It has been pleasing to see the great attendance at the tertiary information sessions so far this term. We encourage our Year 13 students to attend these presentations to explore their future study options and to gather information regarding courses.
Recently, we have had presentations from Auckland University, Waikato University and Lincoln University. Additionally, we had a Pasifika Tertiary Presentation for our Senior Pasifika students. We have the following presentations booked in:
Victoria University - Tuesday 10 March at 10:35am (Library)
Otago University – Wednesday 18 March at 10:35am (Library)
Massey University – Thursday 19 March at 10:35am (Library)
IPU Presentation - Wednesday 25 March at 1:30pm (S8)
Defence Force Presentation - Thursday 26 March at 10.35am (Library)
University of Canterbury (UC) – Thursday 30 April at 10:35am (Library)
Māori Tertiary Presentation – Tuesday 26 May at 10:35am (Library)
Visiting Guest Psychologist - Dr Wendy Macdonald
On Wednesday 4 March, we were lucky enough to have guest speaker and ex NGHS student, Dr Wendy Macdonald visit our school to speak to Year 12 and 13 students who are interested in careers in psychology and associated fields.
Dr Wendy spoke to our students about her experiences as a Clinical Psychologist in Manchester, as well as her time working for the prison service and life as a therapist and researcher. She also answered student questions about what it is like to work in this field and passed on the advice that hard work and having a passion is key to success. We are very grateful for her generous offer of time while visiting NZ.
Caroline Johnson, Jess Radich, Deb Verhoeven - Careers Advisers
Phone: 06 835 1069 Web: www.nghs.school.nz Main Office email: nghs@nghs.school.nz Principal's PA Email: dmcpherson@nghs.school.nz
Page updated
Report abuse