Information from the Principal

Tēnā koutou katoa

It is both a privilege and an honour to write to you as Acting Principal for Term 2. As you know, Ann Brokenshire has commenced her sabbatical leave and will be working alongside other principals and emerging leaders during this time.

Her absence has brought about a number of internal leadership changes, and I’m sincerely grateful to the following staff members who have stepped into new roles:

Sam Forward – Acting Associate Principalforwards@hillmorton.school.nz

Kat Jordan-McGrath – Acting Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care & Wellbeing) jordank@hillmorton.school.nz

Mel Ruscoe – Acting Team Leader (Pastoral Care & Wellbeing – Senior School) ruscoem@hillmorton.school.nz

Emma McLoed – Acting Head of Year 13 mcloede@hillmorton.school.nz

It’s been a wonderful first term. A first term with our new identity and our new uniform. Watching it come to life and seeing our students wear it with pride has been a highlight for me. We have also had one of our biggest Polyfest performances, a successful sporting term at Canterbury, South Island and national level, our Robotics team take the top award in New Zealand, our Year 9 Camps, our Year 7 Beach Education day, a trip to Japan, a sold-out Dramatality event and many other events and achievements. And, simultaneously, our students have shown excellent progress with their learning in their classes. 

We do say goodbye to three staff members at the end of this term. Besty Corliss has been working with our Upland students, Stephen Collins is on leave for one term as he travels but will be back for Term 3 and Liam Noordanus, our IT Network Manager will be leaving us for a position at another company. We wish them all well.

Now is a time to look forward. Our Science block planning is going well but every exciting development often comes with a change and for us that is the loss of the AV Theatre. It’s been part of the school for many years and has grown many performers and we’re sad to see it go but soon we will also have a performing arts centre. A reminder though, please avoid this area in the holidays as we remove asbestos first. 

I’m looking forward to the start of Term 2, with all the exciting opportunities it brings. There are more events, new sporting opportunities to support, our Open Night, written reports for all year levels, Matariki celebrations, and of course, our Senior Production. Most of all, I look forward to sharing and enjoying these moments with you – our wonderful community.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou,

Sam Ainsworth

Acting Principal

Upcoming Events / General Information

Uniform Supply Issues

We wish to share an apology from NZ Uniforms around the PE top, kilt and navy skirt. NZ Uniforms have taken full responsibility for these delays, click here to read their letter.

We are working on items that our senior students can wear from 2026 and will be able to share these with the community next term.
Ngā mihi
Sam Forward

Deputy Principal

Open Night 2025

Thursday 29 May, 2025 – 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm.   School will finish at 1.35pm on this day to allow students and staff time to set up.

Staffing Updates for Year 7 & 8 – Term 2

Click here for article previously sent

NCEA Literacy/Numeracy Exams for Year 11 to 13

(Common Assessment Activities/CAAs)

Please note that the next round of NCEA Literacy and Numeracy Exams will be held from Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th May, 2025. These are for students in Year 11, 12 or 13 who have not yet gained their NCEA Literacy or Numeracy co-requisite credits.

Students who are sitting these exams, and their caregivers, will receive an email early next term with essential details about the exams and the time and location details that are relevant to them.

Please be aware that:

• We have plans in place to support students who may need further guidance in preparation for these exams

• Our Year 11, 12 and 13 students have been sent an email letting them know what they can do now to check their credits and prepare if they will be sitting these exams

More information about the NCEA Literacy and Numeracy for whānau and students, including ways you can prepare at home, is available in this guide: NCEA LitNum Resource Guides Students and whānau.pdf

Chromebooks

A reminder that all students are required to bring a fully charged device to school each day. Many of our teaching programmes use online tools and programmes and we need to ensure all students are able to access these. If students do not have a device or a broken device they must see their Manutaki/Dean regarding options before Period 1 on the day. We do have re-furbished chromebooks for purchase (email contact details below).

Change to end-of-year date

Please note that there has been a slight change to our staff only days and the end-of-year date. The final date for 2025 is Wednesday 10 December, 2025. 

Term 2 – 2025

• Staff Only Day – Monday 28 April (no students at school)

• Students’ first day of Term 2 – Tuesday 29 April

• Open Night – school finishes at 1.35 pm

• King’s Birthday – Monday, 2 June (school closed)

• Matariki – Friday, 20 June (school closed)

Attendance

If your child is absent, late or needs to leave early for any reason, please notify us in one of the following ways:

• SchoolBridge App (download the app on to your mobile device via App stores) please ensure you accept third party on first sign in.

• Email: absentee@hillmorton.school.nz

• Phone: 03 338 5119 (our preferred options for reporting an absence is via SchoolBridge or Email)

If parents have any concerns regarding their child please direct these to the your child’s manutaki /dean, contact details below: