TAURANGA GIRLS’ COLLEGE
September 6 2018
Tauranga Girls’ College Newsletter Message from the Principal Taking care of our home called TGC My thanks go to Mr Robin Carr, who retires in his most recent role of Property Manager of TGC. After 21 years, Mr Carr is retiring to sunny Gisborne. Robin knows this school better than most and his knowledge and expertise will be missed. The good news, is that Mr Carr has always had a team of capable people around him and we welcome Mr Trevor Brown who is stepping up to the role. The six million dollar man The long awaited weather tightness issues associated with J Block are about to be addressed. Thanks to Minister Hipkins who made this multi million dollar announcement to a packed school hall last week. The minister went on to inform the students that he was keen to hear from them, encouraged them to keep a broad range of subjects and to engage meaningfully in education avoiding credit farming but instead ensuring they had pathways that provided them with
further opportunities. The Minster then spent time talking with a group of students, fielding questions and encouraging dialogue. Despite the weather, TGC appreciated his visit and are grateful for the $6 million dollars!
Change to Uniform The student uniform team have made the first of their uniform decisions and this has been endorsed by the BoT. A new blouse will replace the Polo shirts. Year 13 will still have a slightly different version to the rest of the school but students commented regularly on how ‘grey’ they became due to the weave and despite regular washes. The new blouse lasts longer, has more flexibility, should look whiter, is the one that the girls chose, and will be available in time for the 2019 school year. All new students and Year 9’s in 2019 are expected to purchase the new blouse, but those that can still wear their polo may do so for one more year. In other words, there is a 12 month ‘phase in’ of the new
blouse. A decision on shorts and trousers is still being worked on. Six weeks and counting There are approximately six weeks of school left for those students sitting NCEA examinations. These formal examinations start in November and with 3 weeks of this term left and then 3 in the next, the academic year for most senior students is rapidly drawing to a close! How is that study plan progressing? Service and Leadership A reminder to Year 12 students that the formal Service and Leadership applications opened on Monday 27 August and close on 10 September. Parents/ whanau and caregivers are asked to read the documentation in order to appreciate the expectations and commitment required to fulfil such roles. The number of formal roles has been increased for 2019 to reflect the breadth of diversity in the College. I have spoken to many Year 12’s who are excited about the new opportunities.