Ever-popular annual events

SCHOOL EVENTS

SCHOOL BIRTHDAY

At Dio we have three celebrations of Dio’s founding in 1903 – Founders’ Day on 3 November (celebrated on the nearest weekend to that date); the day that the first lessons were begun on 27 May 1904; and 14 June – the official ‘School Birthday’ and the anniversary of its ‘Dedication to God’s glory and the good of this Diocese', when the Birthday Concert is usually held.

This year we celebrate 118 years of Diocesan School at the forefront of girls’ education in Auckland and the many thousands of people who have had a part in that. organising the Birthday Concert. Without a doubt we have set the bar high for future concerts! Our chosen theme this year was ‘DioTube’, and because of COVID we took a more filming-based approach, which the audience seemed to love! I had the absolute honour of leading the best year level to put on such an energetic show. Over the past six months our cohort has worked together through the good times and the hard times to produce a birthday concert that will be one to remember for family, friends, students and the staff of Dio. It was an amazing opportunity and experience, which has bonded our year group. for a few of the girls! Thank you so much to my deputies, Emma and Evie, you are amazing and it wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you to the media team, Kika, Mia, Josie and Hattie, for all the countless hours of editing, filming and planning. And thank you to Mr Thomas for all your guidance and support when we were struggling to edit! Also thank you our staff mentor Mrs Nutsford and the dancers Tiare, Tash, Tyger and Juliet.

All the best to the next year’s prefect and year level – without a doubt you will do an amazing job!

SCHOOL BALL

On 21 May over 500 staff, students and guests flocked to the Ellerslie Events Centre for the annual School Ball. This year’s theme, ‘The Met Gala: Kaleidoscope’, paired the extravagance of the Met Gala fundraising ball with the vibrant evening we had in mind. The ‘kaleidoscope’ also doubled as the name for a group of butterflies, of which there were no shortage this year. Before you entered the ballroom, you were met with a cascading kaleidoscope of butterflies, guiding you to the entrance. From there, twinkling lights drew you down into the ballroom, where an array of floral arrangements elegantly juxtaposed the chaos of the dance floor.

Our aim this year was to create an environment where everyone felt included and could have a good time. This was something we tried to reflect in our theme as no two butterflies are the same. ‘Kaleidoscope’ incorporates the School’s focus ‘Ko Ta¯tou’ by focusing on and celebrating the uniqueness of all members of our wha¯nau.

In keeping with last year’s initiative, the Ball Committee decided to include a $20 donation to a selected organisation in the cost of each ticket. This year we decided to support Gandhi Nivas, a men's refuge based in Ta¯maki Makaurau that provides a place for men to stay while allowing the victim(s) of domestic violence to remain in the family home. Its aim is to break patterns of abuse through a community-focused approach. Gandhi Nivas does important work for our community, and we hope that our donation of over $6,000 will support them in working towards their mission.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this night possible! The Ball Committee was especially pleased with how the evening went and has loved hearing from students about the fun they had at the ball.

Above: Ball Committee: standing from left to right:

Olivia Turnbull, Hazel Faire, Sara MacGillivray, Isobel Fletchers and Charlotte Elliott Seated – Mrs Wilson and Mrs van Meeuwen Seated on the floor – left to right: Poppy Pett, Jasmine Soakai, Matilda Fletcher