Kia ora Parents, Caregivers and Students,
With just over a week before the end of NCEA exams for seniors, and junior students finishing up for the year, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of our school over this challenging year.
I know remote learning brought with it some different experiences, and the integration back to school was a nervous time for many. Your understanding was appreciated as we worked through the logistics of Government mandates and ensuring our students and staff were safe and happy back in class.
Planning for how Westlake Girls will operate under the traffic light system is well underway. It has been helpful to have the last few weeks to ensure our processes and procedures are robust before we welcome all of our students back on site at the start of 2022. It will be wonderful to have everyone back, and we’re looking forward to the dust settling and finding our new normal.
But first, and I’m sure you’ll agree, we’re all looking forward to a decent summer break. With Auckland’s borders down from 15 December, the end of school on the 14th will bring with it an even greater sense of freedom than usual!
We won’t be able to hold our Junior Prize-Giving this year, however we will be holding a special Form Time during the afternoon of Tuesday 14 December, where Year 9 and 10 students will be acknowledged and celebrated. Despite the challenges of 2021, I’m delighted with the academic achievements of our students. And I’m grateful to the parents who have supported and encouraged their daughters through the ups and downs of remote learning. You’re a valued part of our Westlake whānau.
I hope that whatever you do over Christmas and the summer holidays, that it involves people and places that are special to you. I wish you and your family safe travels, and a happy start to 2022.
To our Year 13 students, I’m sure 2022 will be full of exciting new adventures and we’ll look forward to hearing about your success over the coming years.
To everyone else, relax, rewind and replenish. I’ll look forward to seeing you bright and enthusiastic in February.
Kindest regards
Jane Stanley
Principal