Kia ora tatou; The last day of term is a good time to pause and reflect on the huge amount that has happened over the last 11 weeks. There have been a few stories this week that have really stood out, not only because they are great achievements, but because they show what often sits behind success.

For most of us, success does not happen quickly or easily. What other people often see is the final moment: the award, the win, the promotion, the celebration. What they do not always see is everything that has gone into getting there: the early starts and late nights, the training in bad weather, the disappointments, the injuries, the mistakes, the moments of doubt, and the times when giving up can seem like the easiest option.

This week, Green Bay High School alumnus chef Zennon Wijlens was awarded a Michelin star. Zennon’s journey from Green Bay High School to washing dishes, learning his craft, and now leading one of New Zealand’s top restaurants, Paris Butter, is pretty special. He came to share his story at one of our kawhe and kōrero sessions earlier this term, and we are incredibly proud of everything he has achieved.

We have also had an outstanding result from our 1st XI girls’ football team, coached by Leo Drake-Rogers. In 2025, they won the A2 grade and were promoted to A1. On Wednesday, they won the A1 grade, which means automatic promotion into the Premier grade in 2027. This is a phenomenal achievement.

For our 1st XI girls and Leo, this achievement means a lot because they know what it has taken. They know the games that were really hard, the moments that tested them, and the effort that went in when no one else was watching. That is what makes this success so special. It is not just the move into the Premier grade; it is the journey they have taken together to get there.

Sitting behind almost every success are the people around the edges: the coaches, whānau, teammates, teachers, mentors and friends who encourage, challenge and pick people up when the wheels are falling off. Success might be celebrated in one moment, but it is built slowly, and rarely by one person alone.

Thanks to everyone who has supported our Can Drive this week. We have 300 cans already, with more coming in this afternoon. This is another great example of what can happen when people each do a small part. Not every success looks like an award or a win; sometimes it looks like a school community quietly coming together to support others.

As we head into the break, I want to thank our students, staff and whānau for another full and successful term. I hope everyone gets some time to rest, reset and enjoy the holidays. We look forward to seeing students back next term, ready for the second half of the year and ready to keep building on the good things happening across our school.

Fiona Barker
PRINCIPAL