3 May 2024

Kia ora e te whānau; I am continually blown away by the achievements of our staff and students. I want to congratulate Madeleine Collins on her phenomenal achievement in winning Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao - The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize. Not only does this award recognise at a national level, Madeleine’s impressive knowledge and talent in the field of science, it speaks to her talent for communicating and connecting with young people.

Madeleine’s achievement really resonates with our whakatauaki this year; Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini - My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, it was not individual success but the success of a collective. Madeleine works in a fantastic team and she has paid tribute in particular to the Science Faculty and to the wider GBHS staff, who help to create the environment needed for success.

Our GBHS students are always doing amazing things and this week, I want to give a big shout out to Louie Miller - a Year 13 student who is committed to making a difference in our community through his work with the Titirangi Fire Brigade. I am really proud of him and his Student Volunteer Army achievement. Congratulations also to EverEase, a team of awesome entrepreneurs who are already finding success in the 2024 YES competition.

I’m looking forward to seeing lots of you this weekend as the winter season kicks off for netball and the 1st XI.

Ngā mihi nui, Fiona Barker, PRINCIPAL