Kōrero

I hope everyone enjoyed the Waitangi Day weekend and managed to spend some quality time with whānau and friends. Despite the rain on Saturday, which was good for lawns and gardens, the weather over the weekend was really conducive to getting together and commemorating Waitangi Day and the signing of our founding document.

We were delighted to have the Right Reverend Dr Peter Carrell, the Bishop of Christchurch and the Venerable Ben Randall, Archdeacon of South Canterbury, join us for our Leaders' Commissioning Service. This Service introduced our Year 13 Leaders to our School Community and allowed our younger students to start putting faces to names. This is always one of the highlights of our Special Character calendar, as the Year 13's step into their new roles and take on the responsibilities of being a school leader. All Year 13's have undertaken leadership training that was run by the school, and I would like to acknowledge the work that Mr Jones and Mrs Scott did with the students around this leadership programme, thank you. I also would like to thank our Boarding house staff who stayed overnight with the Year 13’s in the Boarding House and Rev Stephanie for Night Prayers, your contribution to making this a special way for our students to start their final year is much appreciated.

As our Year 13 students journey through this last year with us, there will be a considerable focus on their transition to the next phase of their lives, but for now we encourage them to enjoy this year; retaining their focus on their studies but also finding time to get involved with the school community.

Alongside the commissioning of our leaders, it was also a pleasure to be presented my license to work as the Principal of Craighead. It is an honour and a privilege to be working here. This is an incredibly special school with real heart and character, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated staff, amazing students and wonderful families.

I have had a number of people ask about the beautiful korowai I wore at the Pōwhiri. This stunning cloak was gifted to the school at the end of last year by Ms Lindy Graham, for use by the Principal, who becomes the kaitiaki of the korowai. Over the Christmas break Matua Karl Te Raki had the korowai blessed by representatives from both Arowhenua marae and Te Aitarakihi, and on January 29 I was humbled to have this presented to me in a small ceremony, by Matua Karl and Mrs Sonia Ottley. It is a real privilege to be the first Principal to wear the korowai and I know that this will become a taonga for the school.

Over the last two weeks as we’ve settled back into school life, Leanne and her Caterplus staff have catered for a significant number of special functions, on top of preparing for the return of our boarding students. The catering provided has been outstanding and much appreciated, so on behalf of all of us, I would like to thank Leanne and her team!

Finally for this week, school photos are being taken tomorrow for some groups with the remainder being taken on Monday. There are some special group photos being taken, such as daughters and granddaughters of Old Girls and a Sisters photo, if you want your daughter/s to be a part of these please let her know that the times have been emailed to her. The photo schedule for both days have been emailed to parents/caregivers but are also included as an article in this Newsletter for you. These photos are a really important part of our history and as such we do ask that everyone is wearing the appropriate uniform. We really appreciate your help with this.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Ngā Manaakitanga

Ms Lara Hearn-Rollo

Principal