Week 6 - Term 1 - 2026

 He pai ake te iti i te kore

A little is better than none.

Week 6 2 Poutū-te-rangi  - 6 Poutū-te-rangi Futsal Tournament - Mon 2 - Tues 3 Year 9 Camp - Various classes out Mon 2 - Tues 3 CGHS Swimming Sports - Tues 3 LEF's Due - Wed 4 New staff walk through - p1 & 2 - Wed 4 SISS Rowing Champs - Thurs 5 - Sun 8 CGHS Athletics sports - Thurs 5 Canterbury Triathlon - Fri 6 International Students - Hanmer Trip - Fri 6	Week 7 9 Poutū-te-rangi  - 13 Poutū-te-rangi Year 11 Geography Trip - Mon 9 - Wed 11 Pūhoro Wānanga - Tues 10 Interschool Senior Debating - Thurs 12 Non-Uniform Day - Thurs 12 Year 11, 12 and 13 Drama Trip - Thurs 12 Canterbury Volleyball Champs - Fri 13 - Sat 15 SPACPAC Canterbury Polyfest - Fri 13 - Sat 14
Assembly -  Mon - Year 10 - Gym and Year 13 in PAC (Hine Rehia) Wed - International Year 12  - PAC (Hine Rehia) - Ako teachers to attend with this year level.	Assembly -  Mon - Year 9 PAC (Hine Rehia) Year 11 - Gym Wed - Unity Year 11  - PAC (Hine Rehia) - Ako teachers to attend with this year level.
Meeting  Mon:  Junior HoD Tues: Learning Area Thurs: New staff to CGHS - Assessment and Reporting	Meeting  Mon:  L&T Tues: Learning Area Thurs: Nil

Information for Staff:

What the Data Shows About Girls’ School Environments

Across 12 countries, PISA data shows that girls in girls’ schools report stronger engagement, confidence, and sense of belonging than their peers in coed environments. Students are more likely to experience enthusiastic, adaptive teaching (54% report higher teacher engagement), feel confident (77%), and develop a sense of purpose (75% vs. 69% in coed settings). They also report fewer classroom disruptions, greater persistence, and lower fear of failure, creating conditions where effort, leadership, and wellbeing can take root.

A summary can be found here:  The positive effects of the Girls School Environment - PISA

2. This year Canterbury SPACPAC Polyfest is being held over 2 days. Christchurch Girls' High School | Te Kura o Hine Waiora are performing on the Saturday morning.

Week 5 - Term 1 - 2026

 Mā te Kaiako, mā te Tauira, ma ako

Through the teacher, through the student, learning will happen

Week 5 23 Hui-tanguru - 27 Hui-tanguru Year 9 Camp - Various classes out all week. CGHS v CBHS prefect activity - Wed 25 Gateway First Aid Course - Thurs 26 - Fri 27	Week 6 2 Poutū-te-rangi  - 6 Poutū-te-rangi Futsal Tournament - Mon 2 - Tues 3 Year 9 Camp - Various classes out Mon 2 - Tues 3 CGHS Swimming Sports - Tues 3 LEF's Due - Wed 4 New staff walk through - p1 & 2 - Wed 4 SISS Rowing Champs - Thurs 5 - Sun 8 CGHS Athletics sports - Thurs 5 Canterbury Triathlon - Fri 6 International Students - Hanmer Trip - Fri 6
Assembly -  Mon - Nil - Ako Conference preparation Wed - Sport/Cultural Year 10 - PAC (Hine Rehia) - Ako teachers to attend with this year level.	Assembly -  Mon - Year 10 - Gym and Year 13 in PAC (Hine Rehia) Wed - International Year 12  - PAC (Hine Rehia) - Ako teachers to attend with this year level.
Meeting  Mon:  Nil - Embed Tues: Staff Meeting - PGC and QPT update Thurs: New staff to CGHS - EOTC through SchoolBridge with FRR	Meeting  Mon:  Junior HoD Tues: Learning Area Thurs: New staff to CGHS - Assessment and Reporting

Information for Staff:

Study awards and grants round

Applications for the 2027 round of study awards and grants for teachers and principals open 1 April and close on 30 April. For more information, eligibility requirements and to apply, visit:
 
Sabbaticals, study awards and study grants – Education Workforce
 
Any patai, you can email teacher.studyawards@education.govt.nz.

2. A good summary article of how AI is being used in tertiary organisations and the risks of overuse in the ‘learning’ elements. Again prompting for transparency and the bigger questions around what are universities for?

See - The greatest risk of AI in higher education isn't cheating - it's the erosion of learning itself.

Week 4 - Term 1 - 2026

 He iti hau marangai e tu te pāhokahoka

 little storm and then a rainbow appears

One worries over little things but eventually all will come right

Week 4 16 Hui-tanguru - 20 Hui-tanguru Canterbury Senior Tennis - Mon 16 - Tues 17 Pasifika Fono - Tues 17 CGHS Athletics Sports - Wed 18 Whānau Hui - Thurs 19 Photos - Class and individual - Thurs 19 - Fri 20 DVC301 Trip - Thurs 19 South Island Volleyball - Fri 20 - Sun 22	Week 5 23 Hui-tanguru - 27 Hui-tanguru Year 9 Camp - Various classes out all week. CGHS v CBHS prefect activity - Wed 25 Gateway First Aid Course - Thurs 26 - Fri 27 International Students - Hanmer Trip - Fri 27
Assembly -  Mon -  Year 10 (Gym -Hine Aukaha) Year 12 NCEA in PAC (Hine Rehia) Wed - Manaakitanga Year 11 - PAC (Hine Rehia) - Ako teachers to attend with this year level.	Assembly -  Mon - Nil - Ako Conference preparation Wed - Sport/Cultural Year 10 - PAC (Hine Rehia) - Ako teachers to attend with this year level.
Meeting  Mon:  L&T Tues: Professional Learning (more detail to come) Thurs: New staff to CGHS - Learning Enhancement with JAC	Meeting  Mon:  Nil - Embed Tues: Staff Meeting - PGC and QPT update Thurs: New staff to CGHS - EOTC through SchoolBridge with FRR

Information for Staff:

1. A great infographic from ICGS

Week 3 - Term 1 - 2026

Mauri tū mauri ora

An active soul is a healthy soul

Week 3 9 Hui-tanguru - 13 Hui-tanguru SPACPAC Leaders Retreat - Tues 10 Year 9 Parents Evening - Tues 10 @ 5.30 Year 11 Art Trip - Wed 11 Tabloid Sports Day - Fri 13	Week 4 16 Hui-tanguru - 20 Hui-tanguru Canterbury Senior Tennis - Mon 16 - Tues 17 Pasifika Fono - Tues 17 CGHS Athletics Sports - Wed 18 Whānau Hui - Thurs 19 Photos - Class and individual - Thurs 19 - Fri 20 DVC301 Trip - Thurs 19 South Island Volleyball - Fri 20 - Sun 22
Assembly -  Mon -  Year 9 - Camp assembly (Gym -Hine Aukaha) Year 11 - NCEA in PAC (Hine Rehia) Wed - House	Assembly -  Mon -  Year 10 (Gym -Hine Aukaha) Year 12 NCEA in PAC (Hine Rehia) Wed - Manaakitanga Year 11 - PAC (Hine Rehia) - Ako teachers to attend with this year level.
Meeting  Mon: TWH Tues: Learning Area Thurs: New staff to CGHS - Ako and MyMahi	Meeting  Mon:  L&T Tues: Professional Learning (more detail to come) Thurs: New staff to CGHS - Learning Enhancement with JAC

Information for Staff:

1. At our staff meeting on Tuesday, a few questions were asked around the access from the courts through to the rest of the school. The images below show what the hinge point/connection will look like between the Harakeke wing and Te Uru Rākau.

Students will be able to access the building through the central point, or via the external stairs at either end of the building.

Week 2 - Term 1 - 2026

 Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa

Let us keep close together, not far apart

Week 2 2 Hui-tanguru - 6 Hui-tanguru All classes start - p1 - Mon 2 (Please check Kamar for the classes you will be teaching - there is an extended Ako on the Monday morning - followed by p1) Building Evac - Tues 3 (TBC)- this is pending due to fences going up and the gates being added to allow for the evacuation to proceed. At this stage, plan to teach your class. Waitangi Day - Fri 6	Week 3 9 Hui-tanguru - 13 Hui-tanguru SPACPAC Leaders Retreat - Tues 10 Year 9 Parents Evening - Tues 10 @ 5.30 Year 11 Art Trip - Wed 11 Tabloid Sports Day - Fri 13
Assembly -  Mon - Nil Wed - Full School - Prefect Badging	Assembly -  Mon -  Year 9 - Camp assembly (Gym -Hine Aukaha) Year 11 - NCEA in PAC (Hine Rehia) Wed - House
Meeting  Mon:  Nil Tues: Staff Thurs: Nil	Meeting  Mon:  L&T Tues: Learning Area Thurs: New staff to CGHS - Ako and MyMahi

Information for Staff:

1. Just a reminder that updates to a number of NZC Achievement standards and supporting materials for use this year (2026) have been published. These changes have occurred across multiple subjects. Just a reminder to check that the versions you are using are up-to-date. Most changes have been minor and have helped improve the clarity and interpretation of Conditions of Assessment. Please check the list of those subjects with updates HERE.

2. Kamar: You may notice some changes in Kamar. There has been a big update so you might find some of the areas you use are now in a different place. For example - Communications - this is in the student menu. Under this is where you will find 'letters' and 'Send Text/Email'. There is also a new section called 'Custom emails'.

If you are wanting to set up your mark books, please make a time to see Michelle if you need help with this.

Week 1 - Term 1 - 2026

 He rau ringa e oti ai 

Many hands make light work 

Week 1 Mon 26 Kohitātea - 30 Kohitātea New Staff induction 12 - 2 - Mon 26 Course change for students - 9 - 12 - Tues 27 Staff Only Day - Wed 28 (See outline below) Year 9 Enrolment - Thurs 29 Year 13 Enrolment - Thurs 29 Mihi Whakatau - Thurs 29 Year 9 in - Fri 30 Yr 10, 11, and 12  enrolment - Fri 30	Week 2 2 Hui-tanguru - 6 Hui-tanguru All classes start - p1 - Mon 2 (Please check Kamar for the classes you will be teaching - there is an extended Ako on the Monday morning - followed by p1) Building Evac - Tues 3 Waitangi Day - Fri 6
Assembly -  Nil	Assembly -  Mon - Nil Wed - Full School
Meeting  Wed:  Learning Area (1.15 - 2.30)           L&T - 2.40 Thurs: Learning Area	Meeting  Mon:  Nil Tues: Staff

Information for Staff:

1. Welcome back to Christchurch Girls' High School/ Te Kura o Hine Waiora for 2026. A special warm welcome to all of our new staff joining us this year.

Hope you have all had a restful break and are ready for the term ahead.

The overview for Wednesday 28 January is as follows

Staff Welcome back– All Staff at school

8.30- 10.00 am    Staff briefing – Staffroom

                             Welcome back and new staff introductions, strategic direction (ARH), 2025 NCEA (BLS), Classroom Expectations (LEG) and Waiata Practice/Mihi Whakatau update for Thurs

10.00 – 10.30    Morning tea (Break/BYO)

10.30 – 12.30    SchoolBridge/Calendar, Talanoa Ako, SMART Assessment Tool, Role of the Counsellor, MyMahi and Evacuation Information (staffroom)

                   Whanaungatanga Activity (ARL)

12.30 – 1.15      Lunch provided

1.15 – 2.30        Departments 

2.45 – 4          HoLA Meeting (126) and Year 9 Ako teachers (staffroom with LEG, HHA)

                               International Student Orientation (8.30am - 3pm)

2. To start the year, you may have seen the TED talk below, but a good reminder about teaching girls bravery, not perfection. A great message of why we need girls schools where risk taking (of the courageous kind) can take place and courage is celebrated and taught.