Kia ora, parents and caregivers,
Can you believe we are already two weeks into the term? It seems hard to believe that the last time I wrote a ‘Principal’s Welcome’ for this newsletter, we were all on the brink of Christmas, and now we’re already on the other side of Waitangi Day.
It has been so lovely to see the school come to life again with people and to watch our newbies settle into life here.
Last week, we had a moving and beautiful pōwhiri ceremony for all our new staff and students, including an exceptional addition to Westlake, Alice Burnett, our new Dean of Māori students. You can read more about the pōwhiri in this issue of Te Reo o Te Roto. Welcome, Alice and all new staff and students. We are delighted to have you here with us.
Our school is deeply committed to staying abreast of cutting-edge thinking and research in girls’ education. We belong to a worldwide organisation that shares these same goals: the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools. Later this year, we will be honoured to host an ICGS conference here at Westlake.
As always, there will be a vast array of sporting, musical, cultural, and other extra-curricular events happening throughout the year. Please encourage your children to give things a go. The more involved students are at school with clubs and other extra-curricular activities, the better connected and adjusted they are likely to be, and the more likely they are to succeed academically.
Over the next few weeks, our clubs and activities will be forming. We will be running a ‘Clubs Expo’ at lunchtime on 5 March. Students can wander around the stalls and talk to students and staff who are running the clubs to learn more or sign up. Please note. Our sports registration process has changed. For more information, see the article in this issue called ‘Register for Sport – New System.’
We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment at Westlake Girls. Remind your daughters that there are many people here to help them and nurture them, both among their peers and the staff. We’re all here to help.
I wish you all an extremely happy Year of the Dragon!
Ngā mihi,
Jane Stanley
PRINCIPAL
