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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.
It has been a busy and celebratory time at NGHS recently! Congratulations to all of our ākonga who took part in Summer Tournament Week. You represented Napier Girls’ High School with pride, determination, and outstanding sportsmanship. Whether on the court, field, or in the water, we are incredibly proud of your efforts and the way you upheld our school values — you are wonderful ambassadors for our kura. Tino pai.
Our Hewett House Open Day was once again a fantastic occasion. It is always a special opportunity to open our doors to whānau and showcase the strong sense of connection and care that defines our kura and hostel. It was wonderful to see so many visitors enjoying the day and experiencing first-hand the warmth, pride, and sense of belonging that makes Hewett House a true home away from home. Ngā mihi to our staff, hostel team, and students who made the day so welcoming.
Alongside these events, there is a great deal happening across the school. High School Musical cast rehearsals are in full swing, counting down the weeks until their performance... not long to go now! At the same time, rehearsals for our Kapa Haka continue to build momentum as they prepare for Nationals held at the end of Term 2. Both are a wonderful reminder of the breadth of talent and dedication within our student body.
It is this balance of academic, cultural, and extra-curricular involvement that makes our kura such a vibrant place to be. Our rangatahi continue to embrace opportunities, support one another, and contribute positively to the life of the school. Ka pai.
As we head into the Easter break, we wish all of our ākonga, staff, and whānau a safe and restful holiday. It is a well-deserved pause before another busy and exciting term ahead.
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
APRIL 2026
Thursday 2: END OF TERM 1
Tuesday 7: General public High School Musical tickets go on sale from Ticketek
Monday 20: START OF TERM 2
Monday 20: PTA Meeting, 7.00pm in staffroom
Monday 27: ANZAC Day Observance - School & Hostel closed
Wednesday 29 - Friday 1 May: High School Musical
MAY 2026:
Thursday 7: School finishes 12.15pm - Junior Parent-Teacher Interviews (online and face-to-face)
Friday 8 - Sunday 10: DoE Silver Practice Tramp
Friday 15: Year 12 Road Education Safety Day
Monday 18: PTA Meeting, 7.00pm in staffroom
Tuesday 19 & Wednesday 20: Literacy & Numeracy CAAs
Thursday 21: 13BUS YES Pitch Presentation, all day in H7
Thursday 21: Board Meeting, 5.30pm in H7
Thursday 21: Year 12 Music Performance Evening, 6pm in hall
Wednesday 26: Literacy & Numeracy CAAs Catch-up Day
Thursday 27: Careers Expo for Year 12 ākonga
Thursday 27: Tauranga Girls' College Exchange
Toi Whakaari- Performing Arts
Toi Whakaari- Performing Arts
GET READY NAPIER… IT’S TIME TO STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT!
High School Musical ‘On Stage’ NGHS/NBHS 2026 Production
Preferential Bookings Are NOW OPEN on Ticketek!
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived… preferential bookings are officially LIVE! This is your exclusive chance to secure your seats before tickets are released to the general public.
A quick reminder: if you have purchased Gala tickets, you’ll receive a special access code that unlocks early bookings, giving you first pick of the best seats in the house.
The countdown is on, the excitement is building, and it’s all starting to feel very real… we can’t wait to share this incredible show with you!
GENERAL PUBLIC TICKETS go LIVE on Tuesday 7 April!
GALA EVENING
Join us on Wednesday 29 April from 6.00pm at the Municipal Theatre for our spectacular Opening Night Gala, proudly supported by our wonderful NGHS PTA. Roll out the red carpet and be part of an electrifying evening that celebrates the incredible talent of our students in true High School Musical style!
This isn’t just a show… it’s a full red carpet experience you won’t want to miss. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in the excitement, energy, and magic of live theatre at its very best.
Gala Tickets: $35
Your exclusive ticket includes:
• Delicious refreshments and gourmet canapés
• A complimentary programme to remember the night
• Preferential seating for the best experience
• An exclusive meet-and-greet with our lead cast members
Be among the first to witness this vibrant, high-energy production come to life on stage.
Tickets are limited and selling fast!
To secure your place at this unforgettable night, complete the Expression of Interest form below. Demand is expected to be high, so don't miss out... register early to avoid disappointment.
Sponsorship Opportunity
We warmly invite our NGHS community to be part of the magic by supporting this production 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, every contribution fuels the creativity, passion, and hard work of our students.
We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our NGHS PTA and wider school community. If you have any questions about tickets or sponsorship, please contact us at music@nghs.school.nz
Don't miss your chance to be part of the excitement... Let’s make this opening night truly unforgettable!
Expression of Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lMkpUOo_8YJqIEUPsjFd8_mewnaT8cCWQleVu0_WFsA/edit
Michael Houstoun... A Masterclass in Musical Brilliance
On Sunday 29 March, a group of NGHS students experienced an unforgettable afternoon of world-class music at the ‘Masterpiece’ concert Music to Defy Time, performed by iconic Kiwi pianist Michael Houstoun.
Held at Napier’s MTG Theatre, the concert showcased an extraordinary programme of some of the most powerful works in the solo piano repertoire. From the elegance and intricate dance movements of Bach’s French Overture, to the profound beauty and emotional depth of Beethoven’s Sonata in E, Op.109, students were taken on a journey through time and musical expression.
The second half dazzled with Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit, a technically breathtaking and hauntingly poetic work that pushed the piano to its absolute limits. The concert reached a thrilling conclusion with Busoni’s transcription of Bach’s Chaconne, a monumental and deeply moving finale that fully captured the grandeur of the concert grand piano.
A true highlight of the afternoon was the opportunity for students to meet and speak with Michael Houstoun after the performance, alongside their piano teachers and Mrs June Clifford. This rare and inspiring moment allowed students to connect directly with one of New Zealand’s most celebrated musicians.
It was an afternoon filled with inspiration, artistry, and unforgettable music, and an experience our students will carry with them for years to come.
Orchestra
Our orchestra burst into action this Term, diving straight into preparations for the highly anticipated Music Ensemble Festival Aotearoa (MEFA) in Wellington this September. From the very first rehearsal, the room has been alive with energy and excitement, as a talented group of girls come together to create a rich, expressive, and captivating ensemble sound.
A heartfelt thank you goes to these dedicated musicians, who generously give up their Thursday lunchtimes, bring their instruments to school each week, and commit to practising at home. Their passion, teamwork, and enthusiasm are what make this ensemble so vibrant and inspiring.
Having delivered a confident first performance to the school, the Orchestra is already building incredible momentum. We are excited to see what lies ahead and cannot wait to watch them continue to grow, excel, and shine in Term 2.
Shakespeare Festival
In its 35th year of celebrating the Bard, NGHS did not disappoint in their entries in the Shakespeare Festival. 7 scenes were entered, all with amazing Student Directors and from all different plays. Congratulations to all students involved. We had a wonderful evening at Havelock North High School and many special memories were made. Everyone did an amazing job with their performances! A special congratulations to Tori Gibbs for receiving an Excellence in Acting award, and to Hunter Marshall (NBHS) for getting selected to be a Hawke's Bay representative for the National Shakespeare Schools Production. An exciting time ahead for Amelia Sheridan, Maggie Kerr and Sadie Bond who are heading to Wellington this coming King's Birthday weekend to represent Hawke's Bay in the national festival.
The Tempest
directed by Stella Edwards
Katy Morgan, Salma Thainat, Sienna Bicknell, Scarlett Westaway, Matilda Helm, Elena Dippie, Laila Te Whare, Adelaide Dowling, Sophie Fannin.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
directed by Isabel Gutter
Isabel Redpath, Emmy Mildenhall, Faye Parker, Zaria Mcintyre, Evie Kersley, Addison McDougal.
Macbeth
directed by Amelia Sheridan
Sadie Bond, Maggie Kerr.
Othello
directed by Anabelle McGregor & Eliza Woods
Stella Edwards, Anabelle McGregor, Tori Gibbs.
Hamlet
directed by Lola Brown
Eva Aparicio Pierard, Lucia Gordon, Marcia Eagle, Nina Eagle.
Twelfth Night
directed by Carys Newman
Mabel Heath, Sammie Scott, Eliza Woods, Anouk Linter-Beck, Stella Edwards.
Much Ado About Nothing
directed by Tori Gibbs (with NBHS)
Lucy Simpson, Eva Warr, Lenny Grupp, Hunter Marshall, Tom Stillwell.
Easter Music Competition
We are delighted that four students from our kura are competing in the Napier Performing Arts Competitions Society’s Easter Competition, commencing this Thursday evening held at the Napier Municipal Theatre. This long-standing event, now in its 117th year, is a highlight of Napier’s performing arts calendar, and we are proud to see our students taking part in such a prestigious festival.
We extend our best wishes to Zilin Zhao, Joey Li, Isabella Shortall, and Wei-Mi Huang as they prepare to take the stage. We are confident they will perform exceptionally well and represent our school with pride. We are very proud of their hard work and dedication, well done and best of luck!
Ms Tess Tobin - HoLA Performing Arts
Hākinakina - Sports
Hākinakina - Sports
Dates Coming Up
Winter Sports start dates:
Netball - Saturday 2 May
Basketball - Monday 11 May
Football - Wednesday 6 May
Badminton - Thursday 7 May
Social Hockey - Monday 4 May
Competitive Hockey - Thursday 7 May
ECNI Athletics
Huge congratulations to our students who represented our kura at the East Coast Regional Athletics competition last Thursday. 30 schools participated, and our students did an amazing job representing our school with pride, determination, and integrity. It was great to see not just the results, but the way they carried themselves—supporting each other, staying positive, and showing real maturity throughout the day. There were some awesome performances, with lots of personal bests and a number of podium finishes as well.
Junior Girls
Lieke Viss 2nd place 800m
Paige Roe 3rd place 70m hurdles
Lucy Mahoni 3rd place 800m and Shot Put
Harper-lily Robson 2nd place in High Jump, 3rd place 300m
Briar Llewellyn 1st place 800m, 3rd place 3000m
Isobel Hodgkinson 1st place 1500m, 2nd place 3000m
Willow Hambleton 1st place 3000m, 2nd place 1500m
Peyton Petera 3rd place 100m, 1st place Long Jump
Harriet Johnson 1st place and new record in the Shot Put & Javelin, 1st place Discus & Hammer Throw
Intermediate Girls
Ella Rutherford 2nd place Long Jump
Natasha MacRae 1st place 400m, 3rd place 800m,
Olivia Johnson 1st place Shot Put, Discus and Javelin
Isabel Gutter 1st place in triple Jump, 100m & 300m hurdles, 2nd place Javelin, 3rd place 100m
Senior Girls
Georgie Hargrave 3rd place100m
Cerys Llewellyn 2nd place 400m
Paige Dobson 1st place 800m, 1500m
Zita Meo 1st place Senior 200m, 400m, Long Jump
Relays 4 x 100m:
NGHS Juniors 1st place
NGHS Intermediates 3rd place
NGHS Seniors 1st place
NGHS Open team 4 x400m 1st place
Senior Girls
Paige Dobson - 1st in 1500m and 3rd in 800m
Zita Meo - 2nd in 400m
Intermediate Girls
Isobel Gutter - 6th in 300m Hurdles and 8th in 80m Hurdles
Olivia Johnson - 10th in Shot Put and 14th in Discus
Junior Girls
Harriet Johnson - 2nd in Discus and 5th in Shot Put
NZ Oceania Athletics Team
Another accolade for Paige Dobson who will be travelling as part of the full New Zealand team alongside 157 senior and age group athletes to Darwin, in May.
HBSS Triathlon
Lili Caviale-Delzescaux placed 1st in the Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools Triathlon Under 19 Aquathon category this month. She pushed hard on the swim which put herself in a good position on the run.
Swimming
Congratulations to our ākonga who recently competed in the National Swimming Competition
(Division ll), in Dunedin.
In the 14yrs age group Blanca Fernandez de Castillo (pictured above) for Napier Aquahawks Swim Club achieved:
- 1st place in 200m Freestyle
- 1st place in 100m Individual Medley
- 3rd place for 50m Butterfly
- 5th place in 100m Freestyle
- 2nd place in the 4x50m Freestyle mixed 16&over relay
In the 13yrs age group Tasmin Henricksen (pictured below) for Palmerston North Amateur Swim Club achieved:
1st 800m freestyle dropped 12.21 secs
1st 400m freestyle dropped 4.97 secs
2nd 200m freestyle 2.90 secs
3rd 100m freestyle dropped 1.02 secs
23rd 50m freestyle dropped 0.86 secs
16th 200m Breaststroke
23rd 100m Backstroke
11th 200m IM dropped 4.47 secs
29th 50m Backstroke dropped 0.83 secs
12th 200m backstroke dropped 6.22 secs
4 ribbons and 8PB’s.
Hockey Umpiring
Congratulations to Willow Oliver, who has been selected to umpire at the Mike Greer Homes Under 16 Super Challenge hockey tournament in Cambridge during the July school holidays.
Clay Target Shooting
Georgia Mabin (Y9) attended New Zealand DTL championships and the World DTL championship held over the past 10 days in Christchurch. The NZ Nationals had over 350 competitors competing in 6 events. Georgia performed well throughout the NZ Nationals and won Gold in her category in the Point Score event with a 142/150. Her performance at the World DTL event was strong and she finished 8th in her category. Georgia was the youngest competitor at both events. The World DTL championship had over 450 competitors from as far as Ireland, England, USA etc.
2026 Clay Target Shooting Information.pdfStudent Coach Day
Over the last two days, 20 of our student coaches had the awesome opportunity to grow their confidence, skills, and passion for coaching. Throughout the day, they explored what it means to be an effective leader and picked up practical tools and ideas they can take straight back to their teams and coaching environments. It was a fun, interactive day full of learning, connection, and challenge, giving these young leaders the chance to step further into their roles as student coaches. A huge thank you to Liv and Tim from Sport Hawke’s Bay, Joe from @hawkesbayhockey Alisa from @centralf00tball, Katie and Georgia from @hbnetball and Kingi from @sportmanawatu for sharing their knowledge, energy, and passion with our young coaches. We’re excited to see how they put their learning into action for the 2026 Winter season ahead!
Canoe Racing NZ
Congratulations to our two akongā who have been selected for NZ representation in the following Canoe Racing New Zealand Women’s Teams; Lucy Kinnear in the U18 team and Greer Hambleton in the U16 team.
They will compete in the Asia Pacific Cup held in New Zealand this year, from the 1st -3rd of May. They have both just attended a 4-day training camp held at Karapiro, in preparation for this. Tumeke ngā kotiro.
Alumna
We love it when we see ex-students continuing their sporting passions after graduating from NGHS. Lexi Pollock, Greer Tremain and Lucy Angland playing for the Huskies Dunedin hockey team together this year.
HB Futsal Competition
Lots of energy at PGA on Monday nights with 6 NGHS teams playing in our local Futsal competition. Shout out to our teams who played in finals this week.
Under 15 Girls: THS Gold vs NGHS Junior A won 3-0
Womens Div 1: Miss Socials vs NGHS Senior A lost 3-0
Rugby
Well done to our ākonga who have just won the Portugal International Youth Rugby Festival.. The largest youth rugby tournament in Europe. Kota Mackie won the MOVP award.
Volleyball Term 1 2026
NGHS had 7 teams competing in the Hawke's Bay Volleyball competition. Great to see an increase in the number of teams and player participation this year. Congratulations to Senior B in winning Division 2. The growth of these girls individually and as a team, was fantastic to see! Also, congratulations to our Year 9 and 10 teams on placing their 3rd place in Divisions. Fantastic girls! Great stuff! Our Senior A had a tough season with injuries this term, but a great team to watch play and a huge amount of talent. Our Senior Blue and Whites teams had some tough games this season but a lot of dedication and fun from the girls. Junior A played well throughout the term and team culture was high. Some great talent coming through. A huge thank you to all the parents and helpers involved especially Renee, Aaron, Natasha, Nikki, Joe, Rochelle, Irena, Marie, Toni, Mabel and Zara. Looking forward to Term 4!
Canoe Polo Tempest
Well done to Julia Theron, Willow Hambleton, Ruby Small and Eva Williams who competed in the B grade competition as part of the HB Tempest team.
NZ Tag U14
Four NGHS students were a part of the NZ Tag U14 Women’s New Zealand Invitational Team, competing at the Junior Oceania Cup in Auckland last weekend. In a very close semi final, which they won against Samoa, they came away with 3rd place and a bronze medal. The players were Bree Teikamata, Willow Hambleton, Kiara Pettitt and Lucy Mapp.
HB Secondary School Touch competition
Well done to our 7 NGHS teams, who competed over 5 weeks, in the Thursday afternoon Secondary School Touch competition, at the Hastings Sports Park.
Congratulations to our Year 10 Blue team who won their final 3 to 1 against Iona, to win the Junior Division (Charlie Kelleher, Florence Lee, Zahra Little, Emersen Bentin, AJ Gawith, Leyah Gerrad, Eva Arnold, Georgie Wilson, Paige Roe, Brooke Paewai and Coach Te Ramahana Pomare-Tocker).
Senior A placed 2nd in the top grade in a close encounter 3 to 2 final score with Hastings Girls' HS.
Gala Day and Rippa Rugby
Yesterday we had the Gala Day 7s tournament at Hastings Sports Park. There were some tough games, and lots of extra activities. We had girls new to sevens who did really well!
A big thank you to our coach, Waka, who taught us lots of new skills that really helped us throughout the games. Also to Madi Hunt who supported our teams. We had a few close matches and just missed out on making the finals. Overall, it was a great day of sevens rugby.
Our Year 9 Rippa Rugby team had a great day out at the gala, winning three out of four games. They played with energy, teamwork, and plenty of enthusiasm in every match. Most importantly, the team supported each other, had lots of fun and represented themselves and NGHS brilliantly throughout the day. Thanks to Ruby Hodgetts for supporting this team on the day.
Summer Tournament Week Results
Canoe Polo
Placed 4th with close games and Ophelia Booth making the tournament team.
St Peters 5-3
PNGHS 4-4
Karamu 2-2
Taradale 1-1
HNHS 4-5
Semi final vs Taradale 1-2
3rd place play off vs PNGHS 2-4
Equestrian - Dannevirke
NGHS had five teams competing in Dressage and Show Jumping at the Dannevirke Interschools Equestrian competition as part of Summer Tournament Week. This year, the organisers received record entries and there were 100 more riders compared to the competition last year from schools all over Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, for a total of 240 riders. Points were issued up to 10th place.
NGHS Matai won the Alderson Family Trust Trophy for Champion Dressage Team and the Tappenden Family Cup for Supreme Champion team. This is the second year in a row that an NGHS team has won both trophies.
Chloe Cann - CWE Belgravia
Addison Trumper - Sky High Butterfly
Zana Crow - Donnerfire STS
NGHS Totara were Reserve Champions in the Mixed Team competition, competing in Dressage and Show Jumping.
Chloe Cann - Alpha Tauri
Isobel Walklin - Glenardon Geronimo
Hebe Truebridge - Byzance Little Jett
Individual Results
Level 2 Dressage
Chloe Cann - Alpha Tauri 1st 2A
Chloe Cann - CWE Belgravia 1st 2C, 5th 2A
Isobel Walklin - Glenardon Geronimo 10th 2A
Level 1 Dressage
Zana Crow - Donnerfire STS 1st 1A and 1st1C
Hebe Truebridge - Byzance Little Jett 7th 1A,
Level 0 Dressage
Addison Trumper - Sky High Butterfly 6th 0C, 3rd 0D
70cm Show Jumping
Olivia Berkett - Rimrock Luna 2nd AM5
Jess Alexander - MJK Isle of Skye 2nd Table C
90cm Show Jumping
Lucy Robinson - Kiwi Sky 4th AM5
Addison Trumper - San Mateo Luxor 8th AM5, 2nd Table C
Taylor Bremner - Dutiful Willow 10th AM5
Isobel Walklin - Glenardon Geronimo 6th Table C
Hebe Truebridge - Byzance Little Jett 10th Table C
Rowing - Twizel
Hazel Laurence and Lucy Porter placed 6th in the B final for novice double U18.
Futsal
Finished with 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. Western Heights 2-4, MAGS 1-1, Christchurch Girls' 1-1, EPSOM 0-1, HNHS 3-0, Onslow College 6-0, PNGHS 1-0. Thanks to Shelley Cameron for coaching the team.
Sailing
Finished 5th and sailed in the Gold Fleet with 12 schools participating. A fabulous weekend. Thank you to Mr Otto, Mr Mannering and Imogen's Mum, Emma, for giving up their time to make this trip possible.
Kayak Racing
Alice Mcbrearty and Willow Hambleton represented NGHS at the New Zealand Secondary School Canoe Sprint Championships at Lake Tikitapu last weekend. Over two days of competition they had some great results. As a team they placed 1st in both the Women's U14 K2 250m Sprint and Women’s U14 Composite School Team Relay.
Women’s U14 K1 Long Distance: 2nd Alice, 3rd Willow.
Women’s U14 K1 250: 1st Willow, 3rd Alice.
Waka Ama
So proud of the grit, determination, and mana shown by our wāhine!
Day 1 & 2 on the water at Lake Tikitapu was all about our W1 (singles) and W12 crews, and our rangatahi performed well.
W1 250m Final: Aria Taurima won Silver in J19 💙
Our combined crew with Napier Boys' powered through the heats in the second fastest time. In Te Ihu final they placed 9th overall 🙌 out of 43 teams in Aotearoa.
Day 3 our W6 crew placed 7th best J19 girls kura in NZ.
Ngā mihi nui coach Stormie Waapu and Taryn Taurima for being manager on this trip.
Tennis
Placed 3rd with 4 wins, 2 losses. This tournament was a long, gruelling week with a lot of tennis played against some very good teams. In the lead up to the semi-finals the team beat New Plymouth Girls' 3-0; Queen Margarets 3-0; and lost to Wellington Girls' College 1-2; Palmerston North Girls' in the semi finals 0-3 and finished with a win for 3 v 4 against St Paul's Collegiate 3-0.
SUMMER SPORTS TEAMS
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
Umanga - Careers
Umanga - Careers
Year 13 Tertiary Information Sessions
We have held a number of tertiary information sessions during this term. It has been great to see so many of our students’ attending these sessions and exploring their options before the decision making begins.
The remaining sessions are as follows:
University of Canterbury (UC) – Thursday 30 April at 10.35am (Library)
Māori Tertiary Presentation – Tuesday 26 May at 10.35am (Library)
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
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