Tēnā koutou. Nau mai haere mai. Nau mai hoki mai.

Welcome to whānau returning to Napier Girls' High School. Welcome to whānau commencing your journey with us. Welcome all.

I trust that you have had a wonderful summer break and have had some lovely weather at some stage! 

It has been wonderful this week welcoming ākonga back to school. As we commence this new academic year, we do so by celebrating our ākonga academic success in their 2024 examinations (provisional results in this newsletter). Congratulations to all on such a great outcome. Given the changes to NCEA Level 1 and the introduction of literacy and numeracy assessments, these results are fantastic! We applaud the accomplishments of our ākonga and wish them all the very best for this year. Ka mau te wehi!

Thank you to whānau for the support of your rangatahi, but also thank you to kaiako for their enormous contribution in ensuring the success of our ākonga in what was a challenging time.

Nau mai haere mai

Rebecca Prestidge - Science, Merekingi Harvey - English, Marie Reismann - PE & Health/Science, Rose Tuhiwai-Baker - Guidance Counsellor, Midge Barker - Teacher Aide

Nau mai hoki mai

Kate McPeake - Mathematics, Rachelle Poirier - English, Leigh Golding - Learning Support, Alex Hutchinson - English, Jess Radich - Social Sciences, Harry Straume - Social Sciences.

As we start the 2025 school year, we are thrilled to share with you the theme that will guide our journey over the next 12 months:

Mā ngā huruhuru, ka rere te manu – It is the feathers that enable the bird to fly 

For our kura and our kaupapa of empowering ākonga to achieve success and fulfilment for themselves, their whānau, and the community, this whakataukī highlights the importance of collective efforts, nurturing, and collaboration.

The Feathers (Huruhuru): The Key Elements of Support

• Teachers and staff: who provide the knowledge, mentorship, opportunities and encouragement to guide ākonga on their learning journey.

• Whānau: who contribute through their aroha, involvement, and cultural values, grounding students in their identity.

• Community connections: partnerships with local organisations, iwi, and alumni who provide opportunities and resources to extend learning beyond the classroom.

The Bird in Flight: Empowering Ākonga

• Personal achievement: helping each student recognise and achieve their unique potential, whether through academic excellence, sports, arts, or cultural pursuits.

• Cultural pride: embracing and integrating Mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori to ensure ākonga feel empowered in their identity.

• Community impact: encouraging students to give back and contribute to their community, carrying the values instilled at Napier Girls’ High School into the world.

To bring the whakataukī to life we will be focusing on:

1. Providing tools for success (Kairangi Whaiaro - our value of Personal Excellence):

   • Ensuring access to high-quality teaching, resources, and extracurricular activities.

2. Building strong relationships (Whānaungatanga - our value of Relationships & Connections):

   • Strengthening the partnership between NGHS and whānau through regular communication, shared goals, and cultural inclusivity.

   • Supporting students to create lasting connections within their peer groups and the wider community.

3. Uplifting all students (Manaakitanga - our value of Respect & Caring):

   • Celebrating achievements across all areas, ensuring success is defined holistically.

   • Prioritising well-being, resilience, and hauora as part of the curriculum. 

4. Modeling Empowerment:

   • Showcasing role models, like our Old Girls' and inspiring leaders, to highlight the pathways that ākonga can follow.

This whakataukī is a beautiful metaphor for the role NGHS plays in providing the “feathers” for our ākonga to thrive. It reflects our shared commitment to creating an environment where ākonga are empowered to fly confidently toward their goals, uplifted by the collective effort of our kura, whānau, and community.

Ngā mihi for entrusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to a collaborative and successful 2025.

Mrs Dawn Ackroyd

Congratulations to our 2025 Leaders