Leigh Melville

positivity that we all felt as we entered a new academic year, away from the restrictions caused by the pandemic, despite the impact of the floods.

I would like to congratulate our class of 2022 on their exceptional academic achievements; this cohort went through three years of disrupted learning, with lockdowns, and sickness impacting on their attendance and face to face learning opportunities. Their results were simply outstanding, and we are deeply appreciative of all that our staff did to support the girls through online learning, and pastoral support, to ensure they achieved their very best.

It has been fantastic to gather together as a community this year, with events such as the Principals’ Party. It was exciting to launch our new annual giving programme, Gifting Amazing, at that event, welcoming in a new era of fundraising. Our College is 108 years old, and was founded on philanthropy, and moving forward, we are keen to ensure that we continue to enhance our students education and lives through our ethos of giving time, treasure and talent, as volunteers. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the College this year, your support is much appreciated and enables us to provide such a wonderful environment for our girls.

Strategically, as part of our focus on one of our core principles, Teaching for the Future, we have made a significant investment into the creation of dedicated digital co-labs. Ensuring our students are equipped to be ‘creators’ and innovative critical thinkers, is a key part of this strategy and we are very grateful to our Parents & Friends’ Association, for their generosity in supporting this initiative. We are looking forward to building on our offering in this area moving forward.

Our recent announcement about the move to a Year 11 St Cuthbert’s Diploma, to replace NCEA Level 1, is also a key part of our approach to ensuring we continue to deliver the very best education for our students. There is a real sense of momentum at the College, as we face our future with confidence.

I would like to thank our Principal Justine Mahon for all she does to support the College, and to my fellow Trust Board colleagues; the time you dedicate, and the talent and expertise you bring to our governance are deeply appreciated.

With warmest regards

Leigh Melville Chair, St Cuthbert’s College Trust Board