Te Kura Tuarua Kōhine Ki Ahuriri
Pānui
Message from our Tumuaki
Tēnā koutou katoa.
This week we celebrated Pink Shirt Day. This is the day Aotearoa comes together to take a stand against bullying. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHFNZ) has run the campaign since 2012, inspiring tangata to Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora - Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!
Pink Shirt Day is about working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness. It's about creating a community where all people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background.
The 2024 theme of Pink Shirt Day is All Kinds of Kindness. A reminder that all forms of kindness help to build inclusive communities. The meaning behind Pink Shirt Day is to promote kindness, compassion, and understanding towards others. It is a day to raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying and to encourage people to take a stand against it. The colour pink is symbolic of love and compassion, making it the perfect colour to represent this day. It sends a powerful message that together, we can create a more inclusive and kinder society. The purpose of Pink Shirt Day is to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, but especially our rangatahi. This day aims to educate and empower individuals to stand up against bullying, whether it is in schools, workplaces, or online.
One of our core school values is that of Manaakitanga - demonstrating respect and responsibility by uplifting the mana of each person through empathy, inclusion and celebration of diversity. This value underpins all that we do and the relationships and connections that we have. Should you have any concerns about any bullying behaviour, please do not hesitate to contact your daughter's Dean, a member of our Senior Leadership team or our Guidance team. Tackling Bullying Guide
Ngā mihi to our Prefect team led by our Wellbeing Prefects, Jessica and Kiana, for their organisation of the week.
Winter sports are well and truly underway and the next few weeks see many more Performing Arts events taking place. It is great to see our ākonga make the most of the opportunities on offer here at Napier Girls' High School. We encourage all ākonga to get involved in our extra-curricular activities. There are many benefits. Studies show that students who participate in extra-curricular activities do better academically and have a more positive attitude towards school. Being involved leads to an increase in self-esteem, overall wellbeing, and is a great way to make friends. Essential life skills are also developed including team work, time management and prioritising.
At the end of Term 1 we conducted our Hostel interviews for Year 9, 2025. It was a delight to meet a wonderful group of students who are so keen to come to NGHS and to be a part of Hewett House. Hewett House is a very special aspect of our kura. The diversity and experiences our boarding whānau bring to our community is valued dearly. It is a fitting time to acknowledge our wonderful Hewett House staff, led by our Hostel Manager Mrs Clark, who give so generously of their time and skills to care for our students who are away from home.
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
MAY
Friday 17: Tauranga Sports Exchange
Friday 17 - Sunday 19: Duke of Edinburgh Silver Practice Tramp
Tuesday 21 - Wednesday 22: Literacy & Numeracy NCEA Co-requisite Assessment for all Year 10 students and some Year 11
Wednesday 22: CASE Film & Arts School Information Evening, 6.00pm via Zoom
Thursday 23: Junior Parent-Teacher Meetings. School finishes at 12.15pm for all students. All buses will depart at 12.30pm, except the Bay View bus which will depart at 3.30pm as normal.
Friday 24: Showquest, Toitoi
Monday 27: Catch-up day for Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite Assessments
Tuesday 28: Careers Expo for Year 12 (compulsory) and Year 13 ākonga
Wednesday 29: Big Sing, Toitoi
JUNE
Saturday 1: Super 8 Netball Tournament
Monday 3: School and Hostel closed - King's Birthday
Tuesday 4: School and Hostel closed - Teacher-only Day (planning NCEA change package)
Thursday 6: Year 11 Social Event, 7.00 - 9.00pm in the NGHS hall
Tuesday 11: PTA Meeting, 7.00pm in the NGHS staffroom
CASE Film & Arts School
Napier Girls’ High School is excited to announce our participation in CASE Film & Arts School International Study Program in December 2024 collaboratively with other leading New Zealand schools. All Napier Girls’ High School students currently in Year 10, 11, 12, 13 are invited to join CASE Film & Arts School to visit two of the world’s most iconic locations, New York City and Los Angeles.
This 14-day immersive international study program in the USA explores the arts, offering a unique experience. It emphasises the creative process, finding your voice, and development—bringing together top STEAM organisations, creative industry leaders, and esteemed arts institutions for a unique learning adventure.
CASE Film & Arts School cultivates young leaders, nurturing creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for any study path.
This program is a creative adventure, empowering young leaders with the skills for tomorrow's innovation.
INFORMATION EVENING:
6.00pm, Wednesday 22 May 2024 via Zoom
Click here to join Napier Girls' High School's expedition.
Hākinakina - Sports
NGHS Champs Cross Country Results
Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 / 13 House points overall
Greer Hambleton 17:43.1 Paige Dobson 15:44.2 Breeze Van Veldhuizen 16:39.4 Lola Nicholls 16:05.7 1st NIWHA 473
Hazel Kite 18:40.1 Zita Meo 17:00.1 Ruby Kaye 16:46.2 Georgia Jones 16:16.5 2nd AUAHA 340
Alyssa Palmer 18:40.5 Rosa Angland 17:21.8 Lucy Kinnear 17:02.3 Sophie Dunnett-Welch 17:37.8 3rd MĀIA 243
4th MAROHI 167
Greer Hambleton - Year 9 Champ
Paige Dobson - Year 10 Champ
IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP
Friday 17 May - Tauranga Sports Exchange in Taupō
Thursday 20 June - PNGHS Sports Exchange in Napier
HB Netball Learn to Umpire Workshop
Monday 27 May, 6.00pm
Hawke’s Bay Netball Community Room
Hockey
Taradale Intermediate School have six 7-aside hockey teams playing in the HB Schools competition on Tuesdays and Fridays. They currently require coaches for two Friday teams (beginner level) and a few umpires to help cover Tuesday and Friday after school games.
If you are able to help please contact Mandy Barber: mandyb@taradaleint.school.nz
Aotearoa Māori Netball Secondary School Squad
Congratulations to Anika Barham, who is one of the 21 players selected from a two-day trials camp held in Te Whanganui-ā-Tara on 24-25 April to move forward to phase three of the national body's 2024 secondary school programme. A total of 47 trialists were invited to attend the trials camp following the National Aotearoa Māori Netball Tournament held in Rotorua over Easter Weekend.
NZ Athletics
NGHS PE teacher, Ms Sheila Smidt, is enjoying the amazing experience of being Assistant Team Manager of the NZ Girls team, for the ISF World School Cross Country Championships, in Nairobi, Kenya. There are 481 participants representing 21 delegations from five continents competing at the World Secondary Schools CC Championships, in Nairobi with the NZSSXC.
ECNI Cross Country Relay
ECNI XC relays were held at Anderson Park in Havelock North on Monday. All the girls ran so well!
NGHS Year 9 team placed 4th (Greer Hambleton, Hazel Kite, Alyssa Palmer and Honor Tosswill).
NGHS Year 10 team won (Paige Dobson, Rosa Angland, Sophie Smith and Zita Meo).
Paige ran the fastest lap overall (including Year 10 boys) with a new record time of 7.55min (2.2km).
NGHS senior team placed 2nd (Lola Nicholls, Jamie Dunnett-Welch, Lucy Kinnear and Cerys Llewellyn).
Paige Dobson
Mrs MJ Durkin - Head of Sport
Toi Whakaari - Performing Arts
Smokefree Rockquest 2024
The battle between the bands will happen this Saturday 18 May at NBHS.
We have five bands entered - two of which are performing live on Saturday and the other three are digitally entering their bands due to other commitments… watch this space to catch their live performance later, which will be videoed for their entry.
Saturday’s performers are Meludie (Lucy Simpson and Edie Croad) who will be performing in the 1.30pm slot, and After 9 (Isobel Stubbs, Evonne Wylie and Ada Seymour) will be in the 2.15pm slot.
Tickets for audience members are door sales only at NBHS hall and will be on sale 30 minutes before the first act of the day which begins at 1.30pm.
Prices for this event are $10 for students and $15 for adults. (Children 5 years and under - no charge)
It’s a fantastic day with awesome original music from all bands. We would love to see you come along and support it.
Showquest 2024
Our Showquest team has been rehearsing since February and are looking forward to performing at Toitoi on Friday 24 May at 7.00pm. Tickets are available from Eventfinda.
Our theme this year is 'Trial by Media: The Lindy Chamberlain Story' and illustrates the devastating consequences of media influence on the Lindy Chamberlain case, where Lindy's account of a dingo attack on her baby Azaria was met with skepticism.
Sensationalised reporting exacerbated public doubt, distorting truth and underscoring the dangers of biased narratives. The relentless media frenzy highlighted the breakdown of justice in the face of sensationalism, leaving repercussions on Lindy's fight for exoneration.
East Coast Big Sing Regionals - Wednesday 29 May 2024
With less than two weeks to go, Ad Lucem and Nga Ihi o te Rā choirs will be stepping onto the stage at Toitoi in Hastings for the Big Sing Choir Competition.
Both choirs, their director, Mr Chris Atkinson and accompanist, Mrs Sarah Lee, have been working tirelessly to ensure that their beautiful voices will resound in the Toitoi theatre yet again. Between the two choirs there are more than 100 students involved.
Ad Lucem will be performing in the morning session (starts 9.30am) and Ngā Ihi o te Rā in the afternoon session (starts 1.45pm)
Both choirs perform one song in the evening Gala Concert (starts 7pm).
Tickets for the day sessions are $5 cash - door sales only.
Tickets for the Gala concert are available to buy at Eventfinda: Waged: $27.12 each, Unwaged: $21.50 each, Students: $10.75 each.
Year 13 Drama Class presents: The Cagebirds by David Campton
On the evening of Thursday 9 May, I had the privilege of sitting in the audience at the Little Theatre Napier, for the Year 13 Drama class’s live performance of The Cagebirds by David Campton.
WOW!
In The Cagebirds, David Campton combines realism with absurdity and comedy with stark darkness. We encountered six prisoners locked in a cage. There were six birds in a birdcage or six women. Each with self-absorbed preoccupations of their own; coexisting within the same ecosystem and interacting with one another, yet too consumed by their own motivations, thoughts and worries to really listen to and understand one another. They each embody traits of people gathered in any modern environment; the vain Mirror-Eyed Gazer, the hypochondriacal Medicated Gloom, or the absurdly delicious reminiscences of The Great Guzzler.
The six birds seem to live happily together in their communal cage, each absorbed in their own petty interest, and placating The Mistress who holds the power and the keys. When this caretaker introduces a new member to the flock; a Wild One who soon causes turmoil, she shatters the others’ comfortable cage-dwelling existence and forces them to question the significance of their plight.
Though the Cagebirds try to ignore The Wild One, her vitality is infectious but ultimately their fear and ignorance turn them against her and lead them to choose their comfortable shackles over a life of freedom outside the cage.
The Cagebirds by David Campton offered the audience an insight into the darker side of human nature and what happens when a group’s existence is threatened. What constitutes the physical and mental confines of our existence?
The actors need to be congratulated on their efforts and we certainly look forward to more exciting theatre from them in the future.
Ms Tess Tobin - HoLA Performing Arts
Umanga - Careers
Hawke's Bay Careers Expo
Napier Girls’ High School is booked to attend the annual Careers Expo at Pettigrew-Green Arena, Tuesday 28 May, from 12:15pm - 1:15pm.
This is compulsory for our Year 12 students and is optional for Year 13 students.
The careers expo helps our students make their first steps to the world of work, by connecting them with the best training and employment opportunities Aotearoa has to offer. Students will speak to experts in their field and gain more information to help them make key decisions about their future career choices.
The expo is also open to parents/caregivers and all students on Tuesday 28 May, 5.00pm to 7.00pm at Pettigrew Green Arena.
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:
24 May: Waikato University (Hamilton Campus)
26 - 27 May: Otago University and Otago Polytechnic
19 July: Lincoln University
7 August: Massey University - Manawatu Campus
16 August: Massey University - Auckland Campus
23 August: Victoria University
23 August: Massey University - Wellington Campus
24 August: Auckland University
24 August: AUT
30 August: Canterbury University
University 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 2025. 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
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The next PTA Meeting is on
Tuesday 11 June in the NGHS Staffroom
We'd love to see you there!
WE NEED YOUR FENCE!
We would love to be able to put some Affordable Arts Exhibition billboards up around Hawke's Bay.
If you would be willing to lend us some fence space, please contact:
Kirsty or Lennard McLaughlin
phone/text 027 213 0478 or 027 289 7127
Uniform Shop Update
Uniform Price Increases
Due to uniform suppliers price increases, as from 5 June 2024 there will be some changes to existing selling prices.
Please click here for the new prices.
NZ Dutch Speech Competition
Congratulations to Year 11 ākonga Jade Black-West.
The NZ Dutch Speech Competition 2024 finals were held on Friday 3 May at Ross Intermediate, in Palmerston North.
Jade proudly represented NGHS and was the Winner in the Dutch-speaking section for Senior students.
Her speech was Wat ik mijn vrienden vertel over Nederlands zijn in Nieuw Zeeland (What I tell my friends about being Dutch in New Zealand).
Tau ke, Jade! Goed gedaan! Well done!
Celebrating 140 Years
Phone: 06 835 1069 Web: www.nghs.school.nz Main Office email: nghs@nghs.school.nz Principal's PA Email: dmcpherson@nghs.school.nz
