A season of growth.
Kia ora koutou,
I hope everyone had the chance to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with whānau over the break. Term 1 was a fantastic start to the year, and it was wonderful to see our school community so strongly embrace our first value focus of 2026—Belonging (Tūrangawaewae).
Throughout Term 1 we saw belonging in action across our Swimming Sports, Athletics Day, summer sports, camps, Outdoor Education experiences, House events, and in the many everyday moments where students supported one another, stepped up for their peers, and showed pride in being part of Geraldine High School.
Belonging matters because when students feel noticed, named, known, and needed, they thrive. It creates the foundation for confidence, connection, and success.
As we begin Term 2, our focus shifts to our next value—Growth (Tipu Ake).
Growth and belonging go hand in hand. Students grow best when they feel they belong. When they feel connected, supported, and safe, they are far more willing to challenge themselves, take risks, and push beyond what they thought they were capable of.
Growth is not just about achieving better grades—although academic improvement is certainly part of it. Growth is about learning from mistakes, showing resilience when things get tough, and turning “I can’t do this” into “I can’t do this… yet.”
Academically, growth means building strong habits—being organised, attending class regularly, asking questions, completing work on time, and taking ownership of learning. Success rarely comes from talent alone; it comes from consistency, effort, discipline, and resilience.
In sport, growth means training when it is hard, listening to feedback, learning from setbacks, and striving for personal excellence.
In culture, growth means stepping forward with courage—whether that is on stage, in kapa haka, music, drama, debating, or proudly representing your identity and passions.
This term is packed with incredible opportunities for students to challenge themselves and grow across all areas of school life.
We look forward to a busy winter sports season, cross country events, quad tournaments, and a wide range of Outdoor Education experiences. Our Level 2 and Level 3 PIA students have some exciting major trips ahead, while our Geography students will head to Aoraki / Mt Cook for fieldwork that brings classroom learning to life.
We also have the National Shakespeare Competition, our Cultural Evening, a School Social, and Open Day—all important events that showcase the many talents and opportunities available at Geraldine High School. These experiences help students discover new strengths, build confidence, and create lifelong memories.
I am also particularly looking forward to our school production later this term and seeing students step outside their comfort zones to grow in new and exciting ways.
As we move into the colder winter months, I also want to remind everyone about the importance of looking after our school environment.
Our grounds, classrooms, and shared spaces matter. A school that is cared for reflects pride, respect, and belonging. Mud belongs outside, rubbish belongs in bins, and classrooms should be left better than we found them. Taking pride in our environment shows respect for ourselves, for others, and for the people who work hard to keep our school looking great.
This term, I encourage every student to think about their own growth.
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What do you want to improve?
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What will you commit to?
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Who will help you get there?
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And how will you help others grow alongside you?
At Geraldine High School, we are Growing Stronger, Together.
That means belonging first, growth second, and resilience always.
Let’s make Term 2 a term where we step forward with purpose, support one another, and continue striving for personal excellence.
Ngā mihi
Marcus Cooper
Principal
