We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have already contributed to this exciting project. Every contribution, large or small, makes a meaningful difference. With your generosity, your name (or your daughter’s) will be forever etched into the history of Craighead as part of this remarkable legacy. If you haven’t yet had the chance, we invite you to Step Up for Shand House Today and be part of Craighead’s future.

To pledge your support, please contact Renae Churchward on 027 462 6341 or email development@craighead.school.nz.

In Year 9, I joined our Chapel Committee, Hockey team, and at the end of the year, the Craighead Rowing squad. This was a great way for me to get to know other girls in my year and the years above, as well as learn skills such as organisation, hard work, and making strong friendships that I have been able to carry with me throughout my time at Craighead. 

During the rest of the years, I have aimed to participate in as many Manaaki events, boarding house activities, and various committees and sports teams as I can, which has helped me to surround myself with people who celebrate each other’s successes, providing me with places I feel that I belong. Outside of school, I enjoy rowing, hanging out with my friends, and travelling to new places, all of which I have found to instil important qualities in me, such as empathy and gaining a wider understanding of different styles of leadership. 

Craighead has also given me so many opportunities to grow inside and outside of the classroom, allowing me to keep my options open for what I plan to do in the future. At the moment, I am wanting to go to University after school, and although I’m not set on a degree, I’d like to continue to further my education in subjects that interest me, such as English and History.

This year, I am eager to continue to create strong connections with girls from all Year groups to help maintain Craighead’s ability to let everyone feel a sense of belonging at our school. I am looking forward to working alongside Libby as we encourage students to step out of their comfort zones and be the best versions of themselves. Our goal as Year 13’s is to help students form connections and strengthen them throughout the year, so they can look for the help of others to support and celebrate them when feeling stuck or unmotivated. My goal for this year is to encourage these connections so students have at least one person they can spot around school who will smile at them, and make Craighead a place where they feel they belong.

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Lara Hearn-Rollo and her husband, Mr Wade Rollo, for their support and for ensuring this valued tradition lives on.

Here is Ava’s winning painting on the cover of the 2025 Chronicle, which will be published and released early next year.

Congratulations to Neve Ball who has been selected to attend the 2025 Snow Sports New Zealand Alpine Oyster Capital Youth Tech Camp at Coronet Peak next month.

Neve’s selection was based on her top 4 standing at the completion of the 2024 season.

Craighead celebrated this cultural event in style! The Language Ambassadors organised competitions for students to enter and there was a raffle for some language-themed cookies.

We also held a Cultural Dress Day, when students and staff came dressed in either traditional clothing or in the colours of a country they have a connection to. The photos show the wonderfully diverse range of cultures we have within our school community. There was also a “Language of the Day”, with staff and students greeting one another in that language.

The wonderful dining room staff provided a delicious menu for the week to tie in with the language being celebrated each day. The choice of food on offer was superb and included a French charcuterie sharing table, Chinese chicken chow mein with spring rolls, German Bratwurst in a bun, Indian butter chicken with naan bread, and Japanese karaage chicken poke bowls. What a treat!

All funds raised from the cookie raffle and the Cultural Dress Day will be going to support Multicultural Aoraki and the valuable work they do in our community.

A huge thank you to all our students and staff for embracing International Languages week and making it such a success!

Mrs Bettina Pierce
HOD Languages

Last Thursday, two Craighead teams performed in the annual Jump Jam Extravaganza, held at Aorangi Stadium. The Year 7 team of ten student performers was coached by Montana Davis and Zoe Dupont, while our 14 Year 8 students were coached by Natalie Benny, Grace Herbert and Sasha Harrison.

Coaches have been working tirelessly with performers throughout the term to prepare polished, entertaining routines to wow the audience with. Students from schools all over the region come together to participate in a day-long event, performing their favourite routines to their favourite Jump Jam songs.

As always, it was a pleasure to see the performances come together, with both teams delivering confident and well-rehearsed routines. A huge thank you to the coaches who organise everything from multiple lunchtime practices, to sourcing costumes, and applying hair and make up to the performers on the day. Ms MacKenzie and I were very proud of the commitment, dedication, and good sportsmanship displayed by our students on the day of the event.