Epsom Girls Grammar School Newsletter - Term 1, Issue 3

Newsletter

Term 1, Issue 3

Principal's Message

Greetings Parents and Caregivers,

The government announcement yesterday about changes to the senior secondary qualifications system aligns well with the planning and preparation that subject experts and curriculum leaders at Epsom Girls Grammar School have been working on for over a year. We have always valued a solid foundation in subject knowledge and have focused on formal assessment in the final two years of school. As a result, the removal of NCEA Level 1 for Year 11, the requirement for students to study English and Mathematics in Year 11, and the introduction of subject-based assessment for Years 12 and 13 (contributing to a two-level qualification system in these years), will be a continuation of learning programmes for our students.

Thank you to the many parents and caregivers who attended our Student Led Conferences last week to discuss learning and engagement so far this year. Feedback from subject teachers, alongside reported summaries of progress and student reflections, provided a strong basis for useful conversations about next steps.

Last week and over the weekend, our students represented the School with pride and energy at ASB Polyfest. The diversity of our student body is a strength of our School, as demonstrated by the many students who joined groups and made new friends through practices during the term. Our student leaders often write and choreograph the cultural group performances, teaching others and coordinating practices. These are powerful leadership opportunities that equip our girls with valuable skills for leadership beyond school. 

This week, many of our students are also competing in Summer Tournament Week, representing the School across a range of sports. We wish all of our teams the very best and thank the staff and volunteers supporting them throughout the week. These opportunities challenge our students to perform at their best against the best in their sport from across Auckland and New Zealand. We look forward to hearing of their growth and learning upon their return.

As we approach the end of term, it is important that students continue to maintain their focus, make the most of the remaining learning time, and continue building on the habits established earlier in the term. A strong finish will set a solid foundation for the months ahead.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our students and our School.

Sincerely,

Brenda McNaughton
Principal 

Upcoming Events:

For a full list of upcoming events, see the calendar page on SchoolBridge.

Formative Assessment

This year EGGS has introduced formal formative assessments to signal clearly to students and whānau how students are tracking ahead of a summative assessment. This means in the week or two before a final assessment your child will receive feedback from their teacher on how their learning is progressing.

They will be graded on a scale of Needs Attention, On Track or Reaching Beyond. If your child is On Track or Reaching Beyond then their teacher has judged that learning is going well and they are well placed to succeed in the final assessment. If a student is given a Needs Attention grade then some additional or different work and support is needed.

Teachers will be emailing home in this instance to open communication with families about what each student needs to have academic success. They will also share information with caregivers about help sessions, tutorials or additional learning opportunities that can help students get on track with their learning. These formative assessments are an opportunity for clarity and transparency around student learning and enable effective and timely supports for all of our students.or current Cambridge IGCSE students, please hold off on booking as you will be contacted separately to make a booking with a Cambridge teacher.

Success for Epsom Girls Grammar School Writers

We are delighted to celebrate the success of three students who have been published in Re-Draft 2025, an annual anthology showcasing the best secondary school writing in New Zealand.

Congratulations to Manuthi Abeythilake (Year 11) for The Terrorist’s Brother, Yolanda Chang (Year 13, 2025) for The Chemistry of Blueberries, and Catherine Warman (Year 13) for Curry and a Salad. Their work appears in this year’s edition, The Last Square Foot: Living in the Age of Stacked Flesh. Re-Draft is available in the English department, in the School library, or through Auckland Libraries.

Polyfest Speech Success

Cook Islands Speech Competition

Congratulations to Year 10 student Hayley Smith, who recently competed in the Year 10 division of the ASB Polyfest Speech Competition. Hayley achieved an outstanding third place in a highly competitive field.

Delivering her speech in te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, she spoke on the theme “I know who I am, I have a homeland,” sharing how her upbringing, grounded in land and community, has shaped her identity, sense of belonging, and connection to her ancestors.

Tongan Speech Competition

We are proud to celebrate Year 12 student Halamehi Mahe, on her achievement of placing third in the ASB Polyfest Tongan Speech Competition.

Through her speech, Halamehi highlighted the importance of preserving language as a vital connection to culture, identity, and heritage. Her performance reflected both confidence and a deep sense of cultural pride. We congratulate Halamehi on this excellent achievement and for representing her culture with such distinction

Niue Speech Competition

In a historic first for EGGS, Year 13 student Kalolaine Palalagi-Taulagaono achieved third place in the Senior Girls category at the Polyfest Niue Speech Competition. Her speech, “How My Environment Heals Me,” delivered a powerful and thoughtful message, reflecting on the ways family, faith, and sport support and sustain her, providing balance and perspective in her life.

Vagahau Niue is an endangered language, and as it is not Kalolaine’s first language, her willingness to step forward demonstrated considerable courage, leadership, and commitment to her culture. Through her achievement, she has represented EGGS with pride and helped pave the way for others to stand confidently in their identity and voice. We congratulate Kalolaine on this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to all she will achieve in the future.

Mother/Grandmother and Daughter Breakfast

The Prefects are delighted to be hosting our Mother/Grandmother and Daughter Breakfast on Wednesday 6 May, 6.45am to 8.20am. This special occasion offers a chance for students and the important women in their lives to come together and enjoy a shared morning within our school community.

With a warm atmosphere, a delicious breakfast, and an inspiring guest speaker, it promises to be a meaningful and memorable event for all who attend. Tickets are available via the School’s online shop.

Economics Field Trip 2026

Sixty Year 11 Economics students recently visited Good Planet Strawberry Farm, gaining valuable insight into the production process within a real business setting. The trip provided an opportunity to observe how resources are combined to create a final product, strengthening students’ understanding of key economic concepts.

This hands-on experience supports their upcoming assessment on the Circular Flow Model and the role of production in the New Zealand economy. Students returned with a deeper understanding of how classroom learning connects to real-world economic activity.

Visit from the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata

Our French students recently welcomed Jacob Siermans from the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata in Le Quesnoy, France. A former French learner himself, Jacob shared his journey to living and working in France, strengthening connections already formed during the 2025 Tri-Nations Trip.

He spoke about the role of New Zealand soldiers in liberating Le Quesnoy during World War One and reflected on the ongoing connection between the town and New Zealand. Students also learned about the region’s culture and traditions, gaining valuable insight into this unique historical relationship. We look forward to continuing this connection in future visits.

IGCSE Biology

IGCSE Biology students recently had the opportunity to hear from Professor Justin O’Sullivan, Director of the Liggins Institute, who visited to speak on an important issue in New Zealand: whether DNA sequencing should be undertaken for newborns to help identify rare genetic conditions that may be treatable.
The session provided students with valuable insight into the ethical and scientific considerations surrounding advances in genetic medicine.

Love of reading on Valentine's Day

The library has kicked off 2026 with a fun start thanks to the Library Committee’s annual “Blind Date with a Book” event. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, over 200 romance books were wrapped for students to select as surprise reads. It was a wonderful way to share a love of reading and bring students together in the library.

Regular Attendance

Regular attendance at school is important to your child’s success and there is a clear connection between going to school regularly and doing well in the classroom. Making sure students attend and engage in learning is a shared responsibility. As a parent, you are responsible for making sure your child attends school every day.

If your child is going to be absent for any reason it is essential that you let us know as soon as possible. You can let us know via phone, email, or SchoolBridge to confirm your child’s absence and provide us with the reason. We acknowledge that there are genuine reasons students may occasionally be absent. However, without regular attendance your child will struggle to make progress. Please see the image from the Ministry of Education below which illustrates what category your child will be in if they have more than five days absence a term. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Dean.