May 2014
Dear Parents/Caregivers Whakatauki Ma pango, ma whero, ka oti te mahi With red & with red the work is completed This whakatauki is particularly appropriate for the start of Term 2 as the Tauranga Girls’ College participation in the Gate Pa Commemorations has been very significant. The area of Gate Pa is important to our school and many students have learned a great deal about the event that took place 150 years ago. With the encouragement and support of our teachers our students have participated in research, in classroom activities and in music, art, drama, dance, poetry, speechmaking and Maori performing arts.
Our girls have been acknowledged and awarded prizes in a large number of areas and this is acknowledged later in this newsletter. To see the way the park at the top of the hill has been developed is a tribute to those who have been involved and it is now a very special place to visit. In addition we were proud to have our Head Girl, Adriana Bird and our Deputy Head Girl Molly Scoular-Sutton give the address at the ANZAC Day Civic Ceremony at Memorial Park and Adriana was also involved to offer a Remembrance at the Military Service at the Mission Cemetery. Later on ANZAC Day our Chorale lead the singing at the ANZAC Service at Bob Owens Village.
On Thursday this week much of that achievement is to be acknowledged at Elizabeth CafĂŠ in a sponsored event and then the term has really begun!
There are a large number of changes and events occurring within the school. Mrs Cowens is on Sabbatical Leave for all of the term and her research is an exploration of 21st Century Learning with visits to schools and teaching professionals in Asia and in Great Britain. I am in the Acting Principal role and we welcome Mr Andrew Chapman into the Deputy Principal role with responsibility for Year 11 Liaison, EOTC and Bus Administration as a well as a raft of other responsibilities, and Mrs Roberta Gover into the Acting Head of Department Computing role. The school continues to be on a major renovation programme with the Sports Hall/Gymnasium area nearly completed and the Administration and Office area being transferred to the newly refurbished Library while their area is attacked and re-developed. Property and Technology staff members have worked long hours over the holiday period to ensure the school was ready for the new term and students and staff had to adjust to changes which always accompany building sites which are active while normal work goes on.
Leonie Summerville Acting Principal
Sponsorship The School is leasing a Mini-Bus for the next three years and there are 3 spots available for sponsorship. For your contribution you will receive your Company Logo/Signage prominently displayed on the Mini-Van and also your logo with acknowledgement in every newsletter. For further information please contact the Executive Officer John Laugesen on 5788114 Ext 704.