Principal's Bulletin - October 2025

Greetings Parents and Caregivers,

Term 4 has started smoothly on campus with a focus for both students and staff on finishing the year strong. Firstly, in acknowledging and celebrating the progress and successes achieved across the year, and secondly, in completing the academic requirements of courses thoroughly. The practice undertaken throughout the year represents hours of training and preparation, and this term provides opportunities for all students to gain quality “game time” and demonstrate their learning through a variety of assessment modes. We have full confidence in our students’ abilities, and the first step to achievement is simply turning up — turning up to each examination or tutorial, as well as turning up each day, on time.

We are pleased to see continued high levels of attendance across all year levels this year. Year 9–12 cohorts have maintained attendance rates of over 90%, and we look forward to continuing to support students’ regular attendance as the weather warms and we move into the summer months.

Attendance initiative

To support a small number of students who are finding it challenging to develop and maintain consistent habits of punctual attendance, we are trialling a weekly lunchtime (and after-school) “Reflection” this term. Students will be placed in a lunchtime Reflection if they are late to school or class more than once in a week. These sessions will be supervised by the Deans. If a student fails to attend a lunchtime Reflection, they will be required to attend an after-school Reflection, supervised by the Deputy Principals. This trial is designed to help students develop positive attendance habits, and we anticipate that most students will not be affected by this initiative. We thank our parents and caregivers for working with us to support all students in building positive habits and strong character.

Giving Day

We are grateful to our EGGS Foundation for their initiative in organising our very first Giving Day. You will have received communications about this already but tomorrow provides a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together — connecting with parents, alumnae, friends of the school, as well as current staff and students — to continue building a strong legacy of excellence for future generations of EGGS girls.

While the EGGS Foundation has a clear purpose for the funds raised, supporting the School’s academic and co-curricular opportunities, there will also be a “suggestion tree” where students can share ideas to improve our school environment and facilities. Our girls will be wearing navy and gold tomorrow and donating a gold coin in support of this day. We look forward to celebrating together the generosity and spirit of our community. 

Measles Information from the Ministry of Education

Recent measles cases linked to overseas travel have been reported in Northland and Queenstown. Cases were active in the community while infectious and there is a risk of measles circulating there, and more widely in New Zealand.
 
Measles is very contagious and can make people of any age very sick.

• Watch for measles symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes and a blotchy rash. 

Measles: Locations of interest in Aotearoa New Zealand – Health New Zealand

• If anyone in your whānau has measles symptoms keep them home and contact a doctor or Healthline urgently on 0800 611 116.
• Vaccination is the best protection from measles. Check all whānau are immunised. 

Measles immunity – Health New Zealand
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine – Health New Zealand

• Anyone closely exposed to measles who has not received two MMR vaccinations cannot attend their school for at least eight days.

At Epsom Girls Grammar School we have high levels of immunisation in our community but if your daughter or family are not fully vaccinated, please read the above information carefully.

Per Angusta, Ad Augusta,

Brenda McNaughton
Principal
Epsom Girls Grammar School