Principal's comment 30th April 2025.

Welcome back to a brand new term. I hope each of you has had the chance to recharge, reflect, and come back ready to engage with all the opportunities this term will bring.

I would like to acknowledge some students that represented South Canterbury in a Basketball tournament during the holidays. Cayden Halsey, Dillan Sammi, Marco Hardie Lyne, Felix Hardie-Lyne, Sophia Rusbridge, and Maddison Cooper. These students represented the region and GHS with distinction.

Last term, our focus was on Relationships — how we connect with one another, support our peers, collaborate in learning, and build a strong, inclusive school culture. I saw some amazing examples of this across the school: in classrooms, on the sports field, through our performing arts events, and in the way our student leaders engaged with others during house activities. You demonstrated that building strong relationships strengthens our sense of whānau and creates a place where everyone can thrive. We added a multicultural student leader to acknowledge the growing diversity of our community and ensure that inclusion of all students and whanau is prioritised.

This term, our school value is Respect — and that starts with how we treat ourselves, each other, and our environment. Respect isn't just about good manners; it’s about recognising the mana in others. It’s about listening before speaking, taking responsibility for our actions, showing pride in our school, and embracing the diversity that makes us stronger.

Respect looks like:

• Turning up prepared and ready to learn.
  

• Using devices wisely and only when appropriate.
  

• Treating all staff, students, and visitors with kindness and dignity.
  

• Taking care of our classrooms, common spaces, and outdoor areas.

• Upholding our standards even when no one is watching.

We all have a role in shaping the culture of our school. Let's carry the strong sense of connection from last term and now layer that with respect — for people, places, and learning.

To promote and encourage the value this term in Week 9 there will be a lunch put on for the whanau class who gets the most respect My Mahis per student in the class for the term.

Let’s make this term a standout.

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui.

Ngā mihi nui, and all the best for the term ahead.

Marcus Cooper

Principal/Tumuaki

Geraldine High School