Greetings from the Principal’s desk!

Happy New Year to all our families, new and returning! I trust that you have enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing summer holiday and are ready for the opportunities and challenges of the year ahead. It is wonderful to have welcomed our new students for 2010 and to have all our returning girls back at school. The energy, vitality and enthusiasm with which they are approaching the year ahead is a joy to behold.

I am delighted to announce that at the end of last year, Miss Julie Netzler, formerly HOD English, was appointed to the role of Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning, in place of Mrs Hayes who left to take up the role of Principal at Geraldine High School in South Canterbury.  Miss Netzler joins Mrs Amy Hacker, Deputy Principal – Reporting and Assessment, who was also appointed to the Leadership Team last year, and Mrs Pacey, who continues in the role of Deputy Principal – Pastoral Care. It is very exciting to be beginning the year with such a committed and talented Leadership Team, which already enjoys the respect and affection of both staff and students.

It is also my pleasure to welcome to the staff Mr Errin Nin, who comes to us from Church College as HOD Science and Miss Ana Kauvalu who is a permanent appointment to the Mathematics Department. We are also fortunate to have three very capable teachers covering maternity leave positions in 2010; Mrs Rachel Brown (English), Miss Ruth Hockin (Art), Miss Anke Wenz (Biology and Science).  Mrs Amy Mellsop (Maths and Science) and Mrs Natalie Fensham (English) have also been appointed to positions for 2010 and Mrs Ruth Kilmester, our Year 13 Houseparent, will be joining the day school staff as teacher of Classics.

Sadly, Jo Burton resigned as Junior Houseparent over the holidays as her family commitments require her to seek work closer to home. We are currently in the process of appointing a new Houseparent and in the meantime Miss Marilyn Cowley, who has joined the junior boarding team as a House tutor, and Miss Jacqui Lawrence will cover her duties under the direction of Mrs Jude Bartram.

Our theme for 2010 is “Mahitahi”, which is Maori for “working together” or “working as one”.    We are all, teaching and support staff alike, looking forward to the year ahead and to working together with you for the benefit of your daughters, to ensure that they are happy at school, that they achieve  to their full academic potential and become the confident, resourceful , well rounded young women we aim to nurture.

At first glance our 2009 NCEA results look as consistently excellent as we have come to expect from our girls in recent years. At every year level we compare favourably with national, all girls’ and decile 10 girls’ statistics. Nevertheless we are anxious not to rest on our laurels and our learning goal for the year focuses on teaching pedagogy and the adoption of proven practices that will enhance learning outcomes and relationships as we implement the new curriculum.

The holiday break has seen some geographical relocation of key staff. The old Homestead has been refurbished in readiness for its significant role as the centre of Pastoral Care in the school and the deans are now located in that building.  Careers and the International Department will also continue to work from the Homestead.  Mrs Sue Harris and the Learning Support Department have moved to F1, alongside the Homestead, and Mrs Munn has also shifted to F2, adjacent to Mrs Harris.  The Maori and Japanese classrooms that were previously in F block have been relocated to Holland, which also affords considerable space for kapahaka rehearsals and whanau gatherings and the hosting of international groups that visit the school on a regular basis.

As always, the events of the first term provide a host of opportunities to welcome new parents to the Dio community and to reconnect with returning parents whose daughters have moved into the next exciting stage of their secondary school careers. I look forward to catching up with you at those very pleasant occasions.

Vicky McLennan