Kia ora parents and caregivers,
Welcome to Term 3! We are pleased to report that it has been a smooth transition back into routines and we want to acknowledge parents’ support in getting students to school on time and ready to learn. Navigating persistent precipitation and winter wellbeing is not straightforward for households and your support for our face-to-face learning priority at Epsom is appreciated. Your support and our students' engagement with their learning has seen our regular attendance continue to improve significantly, year-on-year, and we are pleased with gains made.
Teaching and Learning
In recent times there has been commentary about the state of education in New Zealand and the need to provide high-quality learning experiences that equip young people with the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to reach their potential. Much work has been done at a National level in developing draft curriculum documents and these are being released periodically by the Ministry of Education for different subject areas. We expect another announcement at the start of August that provides more clarity about the direction of education and qualifications in secondary schools.
At Epsom Girls Grammar School, we are fortunate to have a staff composed of subject experts, many of whom contribute to and lead subject advisory panels nationally. The national and international focus of education and curriculum is becoming the pursuit of knowledge-rich learning. With a clear understanding of best practice and a strong knowledge of who our students are and their aspirations, we have worked to build a curriculum that will enable our students to thrive academically. Therefore, as a school we have been working to create our own curriculum that brings together the flexibility and breadth of the New Zealand Curriculum with the specificity and rigour of the Cambridge Curriculum. Our School’s curriculum is intentionally designed to equip our young people with the knowledge they need to succeed beyond school, on a national or global stage.
Over this coming term we are continuing to challenge and grow our own understanding of Knowledge Rich Curriculum and the Science of Learning in order to keep our teachers at the forefront of best educational practices. We look forward to hosting Distinguished Professor Barbara Oakley who specializes in Engineering at Oakland University and facilitates one of the world's leading open-source online courses in the science of learning (Learning How to Learn: powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects). Professor Oakley was interviewed on RNZ about the future of learning and you may be interested to listen to that interview here. We also look forward to hosting Dr Nina Hood who will provide practical tools for our teaching staff to continually grow their classroom practice (Education Hub resources for understanding the Science of Learning). We have a staff of engaged and passionate educators who are committed to providing excellent teaching and learning for all students. We all look forward to the opportunity to grow our expertise and share examples of best practice alongside these two influential thinkers in educational research.
Subject Selection and Pathways
As we are moving into the term for subject selection and pathways for 2026 we have ensured that all students will have access to curriculum leaders at the Careers and Subject Information Evening on Wednesday 23 July. On this evening, students and parents are invited to find out about the opportunities our curriculum offers and the new courses that have been designed for our students. You can find more information about the evening here.
We are excited that in 2026 students will have access to new Sports and Music Academy options as well as new Health and Physical Education courses that are designed to keep students active and prepare them well for life beyond school. With the increased quantum of face-to-face learning time on campus in 2026, we are seeing more opportunity to support students with their learning and enhance the content taught, particularly in our junior programmes.
While the education landscape continues to evolve, our focus remains firmly on delivering a curriculum that inspires curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and prepares our students to navigate an increasingly complex world. We encourage all families to engage in the subject selection process, to ask questions, and to support students in making informed choices that reflect both their interests and future aspirations. We look forward to partnering with you throughout this term as we continue to prioritise high-quality learning and the wellbeing of every student at Epsom Girls Grammar School.
Kind regards,
Brenda McNaughton
Principal
Epsom Girls Grammar School
