As Term 2 draws to a close, it has been a rewarding week to be around the school. At our assembly on Wednesday, I spoke with students about Matariki as a time for reflection, looking back honestly on how the year has gone so far and thinking carefully about what habits and actions we want to carry forward into Term 3.
It has been a pleasure this week to see students in action across a range of activities. Our Adopt a Scientist evening was a real highlight, with students sharing their own scientific research supported by scientists from our wider community. Our Music Gala brought together around 80 students on stage or working behind the scenes as part of our tech crew. And across the week, students have continued to represent the school with commitment and energy on the sports field including our First XV lifting the Selwyn Sheild for the first time.
With the Matariki public holiday falling on 10 July this year, I hope the season offers our whole community that same opportunity to pause and reflect. I wish everyone a safe and restful break, and look forward to welcoming students and staff back on 20 July.
Adrian Fastier Principal
In this newsletter:
Matariki Celebrations
Students in the Spotlight - World Scholar's Cup Success
Junior Adopt A Scientist Presentation
French Classes Update
Performing Arts - Drama and Music
From the Archives - Manu Kōrero
Winter Sports Captains Updates
Social Sciences Europe Trip
Yr 13 Psychology Trip
Lincoln Combined vs Rolleston College Selwyn Shield Match
RYDA Course
Programming Challenge and EPRO8 Finals
Homestay Families Required 7th - 18th August
School Council and House Update
Celebrating New Zealand Chinese Language Week
Term 3 Important Dates
Matariki Celebrations
This week our kura has been celebrating Matariki as we head into the holidays.
The three themes of Matariki are:
Matariki Hunga Nui – remembering and honouring those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki.
Matariki Ahunga Nui – celebrating the present by coming together, expressing gratitude, and strengthening our connections with one another.
Matariki Manako Nui – looking ahead with hope by setting goals and aspirations for the year to come.
These three themes led our Matariki Kaupapa in our kura this week and allowed ākonga and kaimahi to reflect on the past, appreciate the present, and embrace the future.
Throughout the week, a range of activities were on offer that celebrated te ao Māori and brought our school hāpori together. Students enjoyed lunchtime kī-o-rahi, delicious fry bread, performances from our talented kapa haka rōpū, and Matariki kaupapa in LINC.
Our LINC activity invited ākonga to reflect on the meaning of Matariki by writing either the name of someone they wished to remember or a goal they had for the year ahead on a paper star. These stars now fill the windows of our whare, creating a beautiful visual
This morning, our staff gathered to celebrate. We took time to reflect on those who are no longer with us, acknowledge the present, and share our hopes and aspirations for the months ahead. A small rōpū of kaimahi shared a waiata before our kapa haka rōpū shared a beautiful performance.
As we move into the second half of the year, may the spirit of Matariki continue to inspire us to reflect, show gratitude, strengthen our connections, and look forward with purpose and hope. Mānawatia a Matariki.
Manu Kōrero
Ngā Manu Kōrero ki Waiata 2026 was held on 18–19 June at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa (Hagley College). We were proud to have two ākonga represent our kura at this prestigious kaupapa.
Manaia Finlayson (Year 11) competed in the Senior English Prepared Speech section, while Mikaere Hauraki-Deacon (Year 11) represented our kura in the Senior Te Reo Māori Prepared Speech section.
Competing at Manu Kōrero requires a significant commitment, with many hours of preparation, research, writing, memorisation and rehearsal. Both ākonga demonstrated dedication and courage in preparing for the competition. We would also like to acknowledge Mikaere, who stepped into the Senior Te Reo Māori section just two weeks before the event. His willingness to take on the challenge at short notice exemplified our kura tikanga of kia whakapono and kia manawaroa.
Both Manaia and Mikaere represented our kura with confidence, mana and pride. We look forward to receiving the official results and having the opportunity to rewatch their speeches when the recordings are released.
Kei runga noa atu kōrua.
Students in the Spotlight - World Scholar's Cup Success
On 20–21 June, our school entered a team in the World Scholar’s Cup Christchurch Regional Round for the very first time. Year 10 students Yue Li, Sofia Podolyan, and Evie Nicholls embraced the challenge, competing against many experienced Year 12 and 13 students who have been involved in the competition for several years.
Accompanied throughout the event by Jerry the Alpaca, the much-loved mascot and symbol of the World Scholar’s Cup, the students took part in a wide range of events including Debate, Collaborative Writing, the Scholar’s Challenge, the Scholar’s Bowl, and even the annual Talent Show.
The team performed exceptionally well, demonstrating outstanding knowledge, teamwork, and resilience. In the weeks leading up to the event, they dedicated themselves to researching and exploring new and exciting ideas in preparation for the competition.
Their efforts were rewarded with qualification for the International Round, along with an impressive collection of awards: 8 gold medals and 10 silver medals across individual and team events. Highlights included being named Top Young Team in the Senior Competition, earning 1st place in that category, while Evie Nicholls achieved an outstanding 2nd place individual award in Debate.
Congratulations to Yue, Sofia, and Evie on their fantastic achievements and for representing our school with such enthusiasm and success. While we are still exploring whether attendance at the International Round will be possible, the experience has already had a significant impact on the team. Reflecting on their first World Scholar’s Cup, the students summed it up best: “If you have wild ideas and want to grow important skills, this is for you.”
Adopt a Scientist Presentation Evening
Lincoln High School recently celebrated another fantastic Adopt a Scientist Presentation Evening, held for the first time in Wai Tūhura, our new science building. Now in its 37th year, the programme gives Year 9 and 10 students the opportunity to work alongside professional scientists, investigating a topic of their choice and experiencing what real scientific research is all about.
Throughout the evening, students shared the results of months of hard work with family, mentors, staff, and guest judges. Presenting to a full audience is a challenge in itself, and every student should be proud of the confidence, enthusiasm, and effort they showed on the night.
Congratulations to our award winners: Abby (Overall Winner), Ben and Conrad (Best Written Report), Bernard and Leo (Best Verbal Presentation), Sally (Best Trifold Board), and Robert and Zainab, who each received a Special Judges' Award.
A big thank you to our judges, mentors, and everyone who helped make the programme possible. One of the highlights shared on the evening was that one current student is the third generation of their family to be involved in Adopt a Scientist, their father completed the programme as a student, and their grandfather was one of the programme's scientist mentors back in 1988. It's a great example of the impact this programme continues to have within our community.
An Insight into our French Class Activities
It has been a busy few weeks for our senior French students. In May, we went on our annual day trip to Akaroa. The Year 11’s learnt about the history of the French settlers, from Marie Haley of Seventh Generation Tours, and the Year 12’s did some interactive speaking activities at the library with a French lady called, Genevieve. They also ordered a drink and a patisserie in French from the bakery, “A La Baguette” and the café next door in Akaroa.
At the start of June, we attended the annual UC Senior French Day which unites all learners of French, from schools across Christchurch. Students took part in various activities such as a quiz, a treasure hunt and a pre-learned dance, based around this year’s theme of Tahiti. The university also spoke to the students about opportunities which exist when French is studied by itself or combined with another subject.
Last week, students enjoyed decorating our stall, dressing up and devising a quiz for the Whanau Fest. The croissants and pains au chocolat sold out very quickly.
Performing Arts: Drama and Music Updates
Celebrating Creativity and Performance
On 18 June, our double bill showcased the talent and dedication of students across the performing arts. The evening began with the Year 12 Drama production The Oddity by New Zealand playwright Micky Delahunty, a thought-provoking exploration of consumerism presented through a game show format. The production featured complex technical elements, with our student tech crew and cast doing a great job bringing the show to life.
The second half of the evening featured our Years 9–11 Showcase, with more than 90 students from Drama, Music, Te Ao Haka, and Dance taking the stage. Opening with a powerful Te Ao Haka performance, the programme also included scenes, skits, contemporary music, and dance, with many students experiencing the excitement of performing to a large audience for the first time.
We are incredibly proud of all students involved and grateful for the support of our families and wider community.
The Continuum Tales
Our Year 13 Drama students presented The Continuum Tales on 25 June, an ambitious production featuring eight interconnected scenes set in a dystopian future. With a strong sci-fi aesthetic, the play explored thought-provoking themes while transporting audiences into a world shaped by technology, power, and human resilience.
Supported by an enthusiastic audience, the production was a wonderful showcase of the creativity, collaboration, and dedication of our senior drama students and tech crew. Their achievement was particularly impressive given the many competing commitments at this busy time of term, with several cast members also serving as House and Student leaders across the school.
Year 9 Drama Trip to the Court Theatre
Our Year 9 Drama students enjoyed an informative and exciting visit to the Court Theatre, where they were given a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming production of Finding Nemo. Students had the rare opportunity to stand on the stage, explore the set up close, and discover how everyday materials are transformed into theatrical magic. They were surprised to learn that seaweed and underwater plants had been cleverly created using items such as body loofahs, crepe paper, and cupcake holders, demonstrating the creativity and ingenuity involved in stage design.
The tour also introduced students to the many backstage roles that bring a production to life, including lighting, sound, costumes, and set construction. Many were amazed to discover that while a set can take up to a month to build, it can be installed in the theatre in as little as two days. Students explored scaled-down set models, visited the costume and backstage areas, and gained a valuable insight into the day-to-day work of the many people whose skills and teamwork make live theatre possible.
Music Gala
On Tuesday, 30 June, LHS hosted its annual Music Gala—one of the highlights of the school year. The evening was packed with student talent and provided a vibrant showcase of the musical life of the school.
The programme offered a wide range of performances, including violin and piano trios, flute ensembles, choirs, clarinet ensemble, percussion groups, soloists, jazz bands, concert band, and rock bands. There was truly something for everyone.
The concert drew a great crowd and had an excellent atmosphere throughout. Those who attended will know it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening—full of energy, variety, and high-quality performances. If you weren’t there, you certainly missed out on a fantastic night of music.
The success of the evening reflects the many weeks of preparation and rehearsal leading up to it. Congratulations to all students who performed, the tech crew for their work with sound and lighting, and our MCs, Scarlett Lye and Ayla Roberts, for guiding the evening so well.
A great night and a credit to everyone involved.
JazzQuest
JazzQuest is an annual event run by the Jazz School at Ara and is a major highlight of the year for small jazz ensembles. The event consistently attracts strong competition, with schools from across Christchurch and as far away as Nelson coming to showcase the talents of their young jazz musicians.
This year, The Polygons—Eric Zhang (piano), Reuben Fone (drums), Sofia Podolyna (bass), Craig Beuth (trombone), Connor Morrison (tenor saxophone), and Quinn Sullivan (alto saxophone)—performed a 15-minute set during the week. As part of the experience, the group also received an hour of expert tutoring on a selected piece, which they later performed at the Gala Concert held at The Piano on Friday evening.
The group performed with confidence and energy, clearly reflecting the hard work they had put in. Their efforts were rewarded with fantastic results:
Silver Award
Eric Zhang – Most Outstanding Pianist
Craig Beuth – Most Outstanding Trombonist
Eric Zhang & Craig Beuth – Most Outstanding Composition for their piece Rectangular
This is an outstanding achievement—congratulations to all involved. A fantastic representation of the talent and commitment within our music programme.
From The Archives - Ngā Manu Kōrero
Lincoln has a strong tradition in Ngā Manu Kōrero, the national speech competition that promotes excellence in te reo Māori and English for Māori ākonga.
In 1978 “Maori Studies” (written without the macron!) was first introduced into the school and a Māori Culture group was established in 1986, meeting at lunch, attending powhiri and tautoko to those ākonga involved in competitions. In 1993, Sixth Form student Eddie Sullivan won the regional Manu Kōrero (English section) and become Lincoln’s first student to compete at the Aotearoa final. He did the same the following year. Multi-talented Eddie also had a leading role in the school production of “The Pajama Game”.
In 2007, Corban Te Aika (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu) replicated Eddie by winning the regional Manu Kōrero. He took out both the impromptu and prepared categories. Corban was also a head student that year, helped initiate the iconic “Spell Lincoln” photo and went on to write and compose our school waiata, Tū Mai Rā Waihora. Currently, he is a lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Aotahi School of Māori and Indigenous Studies, and a leader in meaningful integration of mātauranga Māori throughout Ōtautahi.
Fun Facts:
Ngā Manu Kōrero started in 1965 and was known as the Korimako Speech contest. It was renamed in 1987 to Ngā Whakataetae mō Ngā Manu Kōrero o Ngā Kura Tuarua.
The original trophy was donated by Sir Bernard Fergusson to encourage greater English fluency in Māori students!
In 1977, the Pei Te Hurinui Jones Contest was added for senior Māori speeches
Updates from our Winter Sports Captains
SENIOR A BOYS BASKETBALL 2026
Captains; Alan Su, Cam James
Our basketball team has had a strong finish to the term, winning three games in a row to move to a 4–1 record in Bottom 8 play and 4–4 overall. The highlight of the season so far was an exciting comeback from 10 points down at the start of the fourth quarter to win 76–74, showing the resilience and determination of the team. Despite entering the competition as the 16th seed, the boys have exceeded expectations, recording wins over the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th seeds through teamwork, commitment and a positive attitude. A big thank you goes to Coach Mark, our manager, Mr James, and the home crowd for their support throughout the season. With a few games still to play, the team is aiming to continue improving, secure a Top 12 finish and push for a quarter-final play-in spot, while also building momentum that should help improve our pre-season seeding for next year.
SENIOR A NETBALL 2026
Captains; Imogen Hyde, Na’uli Vakapuna
The Lincoln High School Senior A Netball team has had an outstanding start to the season, competing in both the SuperNet Reserve Wednesday competition and the Premier 2 Saturday competition. The team finished the first round in 1st place in Premier 2, earning the opportunity to play in the promotion/relegation match, which they won. This means the team will move up to Premier 1 for the second round of the season and will now compete on Thursdays. In the SuperNet Reserve competition, the team finished 4th, comfortably retaining their place in the grade after losing only two games all season. The players' hard work, commitment, and teamwork have been key to their success, and they are excited to take on the challenge of Premier 1 while continuing to compete strongly in SuperNet Reserve.
A special thank you goes to Louise for stepping in to coach the team while Ms Lynch was away, and to our coach, Ms Lynch, for her ongoing support, commitment, and encouragement throughout the season. A huge thank you also to our manager, Millie, whose organisation and dedication behind the scenes have helped keep the team running smoothly. We'd also like to recognise Isla for working hard to return from injury and making an outstanding impact back on court, and Na'uli, who battled through injury to deliver an incredible performance in our promotion/relegation game. We are incredibly proud of the resilience, determination, and team spirit shown by everyone involved.
Social Sciences Trip to Poland, France and Germany
On Tuesday 30th June 32 students and four teachers flew to Auckland to then head off on their European adventure on the morning of the 1st July. This trip has been well over a year in the planning.
This trip aims to provide our students with a unique opportunity to explore significant historical sites, immerse themselves in diverse cultures, and deepen their understanding of European history and society.
Below are photos of them at Christchurch and Auckland airports. We look forward to updating you on how it went in our Term 3 newsletter.
Year 13 Psychology Trip to Wellington
Our Year 13 Psychology students recently enjoyed an action-packed two-day trip to Wellington, beginning with a very early start to meet at Christchurch Airport by 5.15am!
After arriving in Wellington, we tackled the steep walk up to Victoria University—and we're pleased to report that everyone made it in one piece! Students attended fascinating lectures on the teenage brain and cognitive psychology, gaining insights that brought many of the concepts they have been studying in class to life. After a full day of learning, we settled into Haka House for the night, where everyone was thoroughly exhausted after a busy day.
Day two began with a visit to the Holocaust Centre, where students heard a thought-provoking presentation exploring the psychology of the Holocaust. It was an incredibly informative session that encouraged students to reflect on human behaviour, prejudice, and resilience. We then visited the nearby synagogue to learn more about Judaism and its traditions.
Our final stop was Te Papa, where students explored the remarkable Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War exhibition, featuring Peter Jackson's breathtaking giant-scale figures. The exhibition was a highlight of the trip and left a lasting impression on everyone.
After another full day, we headed back to the airport for our evening flight home. The trip provided learning opportunities that simply couldn't be replicated in the classroom, while also giving students the chance to spend time together outside of school and create lasting memories.
A huge thank you to Dr Sparke for giving up his time to accompany us. Most importantly, congratulations to our Year 13 Psychology students, who represented the school exceptionally well throughout the trip. Their behaviour was exemplary, and they were a pleasure to travel with.
Mrs Dickison
Lincoln Combined 1st XV vs Rolleston College 1st XV - Selwyn Shield
What a game! Such a great way to play the inaugural match of the Selwyn Shield. The crowd was fantastic and the quality of rugby was high. Well done to both teams on being the start of something great between the two sides. Congratulations to our captain Connor on his 25th game.
Final Score:
Lincoln Combined 38
Rolleston College 34
Photo Credit - Front Row Back Seat
Year 12 RYDA Course
On Tuesday 16 June, 229 Year 12 students from Lincoln High School attended the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness workshop, known as RYDA, at the Lincoln Event Centre.
This was an important opportunity for our students, many of whom will be working towards their learner or restricted licences during the year. As young people begin to take on more responsibility as drivers and passengers, programmes such as RYDA play a valuable role in helping them understand how to keep themselves and others safe on the roads.
RYDA is a road safety education programme developed by Road Safety Education Limited and delivered with the support of Rotary, Police, driving instructors and community road safety specialists. The programme is designed specifically for senior high school students and uses interactive workshops, practical demonstrations and real-life examples to help young people think carefully about the decisions they make in and around vehicles.
During the day, students learned about several key aspects of road safety, including risk awareness, safe decision-making, passenger responsibility, distractions, speed, and stopping distances. Police were also in attendance and provided practical demonstrations around vehicle safety and the impact that speed has on a car’s stopping distance.
The workshop gave students the chance to reflect on the choices they make as future drivers, passengers and road users. It also reinforced the importance of looking after themselves, their friends and the wider community whenever they are travelling on our roads.
We would like to thank RYDA, Rotary, Police and all of the facilitators involved in providing such a valuable learning experience for our students.
Programming Challenge News 2026
This year six year 9 and 10 girls went to the Girls Programming Workshop at UC on Sat 13th June. There they learned more about working as a team solving problems with Python programs. This helps prepare them for programming challenges which is a team sport.
Our girls performed very well. Unsurprisingly, the year 10 team led the leaderboard for almost the entire workshop. Their learning from the JDTC Year 10 course was very evident. Both teams ended the workshop keen to participate in the Canterbury Schools Challenge on the 18th June.
LHS took 17 students in 6 teams to the Canterbury Schools Challenge this year. In total, 32 Christchurch school teams took part. Most of our teams finished in the top 15. Of course, there can only be one winner and that was not us this year. Yet our top team was hot on the heals of the Burnside Teams who won.
We are still very proud of our Teams. The 3 hours flew by, and everyone could do some of the problems. Skilled teams, like our top team, managed to solve those tricky final problems – the ones worth the most points! Our top all girls team finished 12th in the pack which was an excellent result given their inexperience.
I am always thrilled to take teams that enjoy this challenge and glad to see girls taking part again too. Students win, just by taking part and enjoying showing what they can do with their coding skills.
The next challenge is harder and longer – on 8th August the NZPC Programming Challenge for all NZ Schools takes place at UC. It’s a great way to build capacity and do what these youngsters enjoy doing. Its also great training in the practical side of the new DT Scholarship Exam.
Well done everyone!
Epro8 Final – Report on LHS Achievements
On 18th June, 4 teams from Lincoln High took part in the Epro8 Finals held at Holmes Solutions in Hornby. Participants were treated to a tour of the Engineering facility before the competition and were introduced to the vast range of opportunities created here. The projects were impressive to say the least!
The students then moved on to the challenge which had a nautical theme. They had a lot of fun building Pirate Ships or Lighthouses. The challenges were tough and timely finish as well as careful design decisions were key to a good finish.
This year LHS did not take home any trophies, though one Senior Team took third place. In my opinion, we still had a number of wins:
We were the only school that had 2 teams in each division – Junior and Senior.
Our students had such fun using their knowledge of math, science, technology etc, as well as those essential skills of teamwork and critical thinking for a very practical purpose. We are so fortunate to have competitions like this for them to do.
They once again, got to demonstrate our LHS Tikanga – the way we behave – in action. We are always pleased to take them places and know that behaviour will be exemplary.
They learned resilience – you will not always be the overall winner, but if you have done your best, you can still be proud of your efforts and what you managed to do in the time you had. You often learn more about yourself when you don’t come first. These lessons help you to stand, no matter what.
Our teams are excited to be in the Not Yet Zone. They gained experience, had fun and used their collective strength to solve problems. I see that as a solid win for our students. We weren’t the overall winners this year, but there is always next year…
Homestay families required - August 7th-18th
In Term 3, Lincoln High School is looking forward to hosting a large number of short-term Japanese students on a cultural/educational experience.
We are reaching out to our community and asking if there are any families that may be interested in hosting a student (or two) in your home?
We are currently looking for short term (11 nights) accommodation. Homestay families will be reimbursed $545/student, for the duration of their stay.
If you have ever considered being a home stay family, this would be a great opportunity to see if it is something that works for you.
For information on what this would entail, and any further questions please email Emily Howard on ehw@lincoln.school.nz
Student Leadership and House Update
HOUSE COMPETITION
In week 9 during Linc, we held our Canta Quiz House Event!
A huge thank-you to Miss Vernall and the Īnaka house captains for organising and coordinating such a fantastic event.
A big shout-out goes to everyone who got involved and participated—whether you were clocking up laps in the gym or locking your brains in to tackle the quiz questions. Your energy made the day a massive success.
Finally, a massive congratulations to Mako for taking out the top spot and winning the event with an impressive 202 points!
Well done to the Mako Year 9, 10, 11, and 12 teams for securing the top points across their respective year groups! A fantastic effort all around.
We also want to recognise Kōtare and Kūaka for coming away with the top points in Year 13. Excellent work from our senior students!
Overall Canta Quiz Results:
YEAR 13 SCHOOL COUNCIL
40 Hour Challenge
Over the weekend of 19th to 21st June, a group of student leaders (roughly 40 students) came together to prepare 400 meals for people in need in our local community. We partnered with Greenpark Foodbank, who are distributing these among the families that they work with, and who were also kind enough to lend us some larger pots to help us get it done! We started on the Friday after school and made 100 portions of a chickpea tikka masala. It was an early start on Saturday, with some of the team beginning their shifts at 7am! We prepared 185 portions of a curried sausages meal, which was 85 more than we intended! We also prepared everything for the 200 portions of Shepherd’s pie, to be assembled the next day. Then, on Sunday, it was a matter of assembling the pies and sending them off with Greenpark Foodbank in the evening. We are very proud of what we achieved, and a massive thank you goes to all the staff and students that contributed to this effort, we couldn't have done it without you!
We'd also like to say thanks to the businesses that we collaborated with, as they were kind enough to contribute towards some of the ingredients and supplies that we needed. Bunnings Warehouse, ANZCO, The Good Oil, BidFood, and Roper & Sons Farm
-Abby Wilson, LHS 40h Challenge planning team member, Year 13
LHS on Socials!
Want to keep up with what’s happening around the school? Make sure you follow our school Instagram page! Run by our School Council, the page shares upcoming events, student achievements, sports results, reminders, and plenty of snapshots of school life. Give it a follow and stay connected with our school community!
Upcoming School Council Events
Save the Date: Senior Formal – Saturday 1st August – 730-1130pm – Wigram Air Force Museum
Ongoing Activities
Study Lounge – Every Monday in Wai Tūhura from 2:45-4:30pm
Breakfast Club – Every Wednesday in Wai Ora from 7:45-8:30am
Student Tutoring – contact tutor@lincoln.school.nz for more information
OTHER STUDENT LEADERSHIP GROUPS IN ACTION
Student Executive
This term, the Student Executive was asked by SLT to investigate what helps students feel like they belong at Lincoln High School. After gathering student voice from across the school, one message stood out: people matter most. Students said that friends, supportive teachers, and feeling included are the biggest contributors to belonging, while bullying, exclusion, and feeling judged make it harder to feel connected. The findings have been shared with SLT and will help inform future decisions to strengthen belonging and wellbeing across our school.
The Student Executive have also worked with Acting Associate Principal Sonia Panapa to give feedback on the timetable and Linc class timings and lengths.
We had a two student leadership groups visit central Ōtautahi on June 25th! TheAction Compassion Hui and theAntarctic Explorer Conference! Here’s what a few students had to say about the events:
The Compassion Hui was an amazing experience that brought everyone together. It gave me the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and step outside my comfort zone. I enjoyed taking part in new activities and hearing different perspectives, which made the experience fun. Overall, it was a memorable event that helped me build connections, gain new experiences, and develop a deeper understanding of the importance of compassion in our community.
Maree Botha, Year 12
Antarctic Heritage Trust Explorer Conference
The Antarctic Heritage Trust Explorer Conference was a day to remember. A day filled with inspiration, curiosity, and teamwork. Motivational speakers like William Pike, Ngawai Clendon, and Kelsey Waghorn opened up about their challenging experiences through life and how far they have come since then. Joining the Antarctic Heritage Trust and visiting Antarctica has inspired these speakers in numerous ways, urging them to step outside their comfort zone, inevitably changing their path in life forever. In facing new obstacles and opportunities these speakers have inspired us to strive to make the most of every opportunity. Throughout the day we were able to discover our own explorer mindsets participating in various engaging workshops. Working with Year 12 students from other schools, we tapped into enhancing strengths such as leadership, curiosity, resilience, teamwork and innovation; all key aspects of a great explorer. An important takeaway from this event is that you’ll never know how capable you are unless you try. As William Pike said, “Nothing great was ever achieved inside your comfort zone".
-Emma Common & Amy Househam, Year 12
Junior Impact Team – Fundraiser for Christchurch Aunties
As one of the leaders of the Junior Impact Team, I am extremely impressed with the collective outcome of our first campaign of 2026. Our intention with this campaign was to raise funds and toiletries for the Christchurch Aunties, a non-profit organization that remains committed to supporting women and children that have been impacted by domestic violence. Through a bake sale and donation drive, we were able to gain substantial financial contributions, and significant numbers of toiletries. Our bake sale on Tuesday was highly successful, with proceeds equating to roughly $300. Our donation drive was also a significant success, with widespread engagement from students leading to an impressive volume of donated toiletries. The Lab in Lincoln kindly offered to donate several pizzas to the Linc class that donates the most; the winning Linc was Pātiki 1!! The Junior Impact Team encourages you to also support the Christchurch Aunties charity, as they are highly deserving of financial support considering their positive impact on the community.
-Emily Beaufoy, Junior Impact Team Leader, Year 11
Seek Winter Speaker Series
Over the past three weeks, bright and early on a Thursday morning, 30–40 students attended each session of our Student Speaker Series. The series is all about growing whanaungatanga and inspiring purposeful, ambitious pathways for our students. Grounded in connection, belonging, participation, and high expectations, it provides an opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom and help students see what is truly possible for their future.
We were privileged to hear from Alice Fitzgerald, CEO of the Gut Foundation, who shared her leadership journey and the importance of purpose-driven work; Miranda Knapton, National Director of BNI NZ, who spoke about the power of networking, leadership, and creating opportunities; and Anton Matthews, Entrepreneur and Advocate, who inspired students through his experiences in business, resilience, and advocating for Māori.
A huge thank you to our speakers for generously sharing their stories and wisdom, and to the students who embraced the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and be inspired. Check out our Term 3 lineup, which re-starts on Thursday 23rd August with Di Foster, Business Coach and Celebrated Podcaster.
Whāia te iti kahurangi | Seek the Highest Good
Celebrating New Zealand Chinese Language Week
The annual New Zealand Chinese Language Week was celebrated from 29 June to 5 July this year. The purpose of Chinese Language Week is to encourage New Zealanders to "have a go" at learning Chinese while celebrating the educational, tourism, and business connections between New Zealand and China.
It was a special week, bringing our school community together to celebrate the rich traditions of Chinese language and culture. Students from across the school were encouraged to participate in a range of educational activities designed to foster cultural understanding, curiosity, and connection.
The week began on Monday with a Chinese morning tea for staff to thank them for their care, support, and kindness they show our ākonga every day.
Daily Chinese phrases were shared with students throughout the week. The phrases were thoughtfully chosen and were a great way to encourage everyone to learn a little Chinese each day.
Phrase of the Day
Day 1 – Monday 29 June 我的名字是____,你的呢? Wǒ de míngzi shì ____, nǐ de ne? My name is ____. What's your name?
Day 2 – Tuesday 30 June 千里之行,始于足下。 Qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Day 3 – Wednesday 1 July 我在学习中文。 Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngwén. I am learning Chinese.
Day 4 – Thursday 2 July 千里共婵娟。 Qiān lǐ gòng chánjuān Though we may be a thousand miles apart, we still share the same moon.
Day 5 – Friday 3 July
The week concluded with our popular $2 noodle lunch on Friday. It was wonderful to see students enjoying a plate of noodles together with friends as we celebrated the final day of Term 2. Thank you to Skye Whetter, Skyler Barret, Ayla Roberts and Eva-Grace Dunlop for helping to prepare and sell the noodles.
Congratulations to the winners of our Chinese Language Week colouring competition:
1st prize Isabella Calcroft Year 10
2nd prize Duo Duo Fan Year 10
3rd prize Pippa Kleehanmmer Year 9
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year's Chinese Language Week a success.
Term 2 concluded with the celebrations of New Zealand Chinese Language Week, followed by the upcoming Matariki celebrations.
Mānawatia a Matariki, and have a safe and happy holiday break!
School Sponsorship
Thank you to CNC Solutions for their sponsorship of our Sports Department. Your contribution helps to make a difference for our kura.