Friday 19 September

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

What a term we have had! From the stage to the field and especially in the classroom, our students continue to challenge themselves to reach new levels of achievement. It’s hard to believe what we have packed in so far this year, and we still have one more term to come. 

The graduation parade and ceremony that took place today really showed what our community is all about. There was plenty of emotion as our Year 13s enjoyed their last moments as school students, and students and staff from across the school said goodbye in a way that highlighted the depth of our connections. With exams now on the near horizon for our senior students, I am sure there will be lots of concentrated effort over the break.  

The College Sports Awards that took place yesterday showcased an extraordinary range of talent. With a range of performances that includes national titles and individual representative honours, our sports programme continues to rise in prominence. Along with the results gained in interschool competition by our Primary students, this year will certainly be noted as one of the most successful in the school’s history. 

Earlier in the week, I thoroughly enjoyed judging the Primary speech competition. The ability to stand up and share ideas in front of an audience is a key life skill, and the finalists all represented themselves incredibly well. Importantly, all from Year 4 upwards completed a speech during class time, and while this was difficult for some, the personal growth will pay benefits well into the future. 

Over the holiday, we will be seeing a range of contractors as they complete site evaluations in preparation for taking the first steps of our master plan. This work is a key part in ensuring infrastructure services are ready for the work to be done, and I look forward to sharing more details with you next term.  

Additionally, next term, I look forward to sharing our new strategic plan with you. The document sets out an ambitious set of statements that will draw our community together and provide clarity over our direction. At the heart of the plan lie our school values, and you can be assured we will not deviate from building genuine respect for ourselves, for others, and seeking excellence in every facet of school life. 

Over recent weeks, we have completed our recruitment for academic staff for the 2026 school year. The quality of applicants has been exceptionally high, and although there is often news about a shortage of teachers, our experience this year has proven that we continue to attract high-quality individuals to the school. All of our new appointments have a high level of expertise, and I know they will have a positive impact when they join us in January. 

I hope that the school holidays give you all a chance to enjoy some quality time together as a family and that your children have a chance to rest in preparation for Term Four. 

Tēnā koutou katoa

What a fantastic way to round off a busy and eventful term!

Yesterday’s Sports Prizegiving was a wonderful celebration of the outstanding sporting achievements of our students this year. Congratulations to all of our prizewinners , we are so proud of you.

Today brought mixed emotions as we farewelled our incredible Year 13 students. This group have been calm, positive role models and excellent ambassadors for our school. While it is hard to say goodbye, we know the time is right, and we are confident they are ready to follow their dreams. This morning we shared breakfast together followed by a graduation walk and ceremony to ensure their final day at school was a memorable one.

We also send our best wishes to all Year 11, 12, and 13 students as they begin study leave on 6 October, the first day of Term 4. Many students will be attending holiday tutorials and sitting Cambridge examinations over the next two weeks, so it will be a busy time.

Please remember that College students are expected to be in full summer uniform from the first day of Term 4, including when coming to school for Cambridge examinationss.

Wishing you all a restful school break and some special time with your families.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

Kia ora tatou,

Term 3 has been a busy, fantastic, and fun-filled term in the Primary. From classroom learning to competitions and celebrations, our students have truly shone. I often have the privilege of showing visitors from other schools around our Primary, and they are consistently impressed by the confidence of our children, the ease with which they talk about their learning, and the high standard of work displayed throughout our classrooms. It’s a real testament to the students, the teaching and support staff,  and to the strong partnerships we share with our families.

One of the highlights of this final week was the Year 4–6 Speech Competition. With 15 talented finalists, the standard was exceptionally high. Congratulations to Lucas Z, our overall winner; Gabrina Z, overall runner-up; Quinn S, Year 5 winner; and Daniel Z, Year 4 winner.

We also wish our Chess teams all the very best as they head to Christchurch this weekend for the New Zealand National Chess Finals—go Pinehurst!

Today, I watched our Term 4 New Entrants visit for the second time, followed by the Graduation Parade for our Year 13s. The beginning and the end of the Pinehurst journey—tears, smiles, and lots of memories were made.

Thanks to everyone who has played a part in creating the magic this term. I hope that you can spend some quality time with your families, take care.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

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