From the editors

Diocesan School for Girls

Clyde Street, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand Private Bag 99939, Newmarket 1149

P. 09 520 0221 F. 09 520 6778

E. offce@diocesan.school.nz

DIOCESAN.SCHOOL.NZ

ASSISTANT

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mrs Margaret van Meeuwen

DEPUTY PRINCIPALS Mrs Dian Fisher

Mr Simon Walker

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Mrs Kate Burkin

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

JUNIOR SCHOOL

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS

AND PLANNING

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE

AND CULTURE

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

HEAD PREFECT

Mrs Sue Cattell

Ms Nicole Lewis

Mrs Kerry Burridge

Ms Shelley Johnston

Mrs Angela Coe

Mrs Jocelyn Anso

Mrs Kate Jones

Aniva Clarke

DEPUTY HEAD PREFECT Samantha Smith

DIO

Commissioned

For the first time in three years, Dio was finally able to run a full calendar of events and activities in terms one and two. We are delighted that all our regular arts and sporting events could take place with no COVID interruptions. EOTC Week was a wonderful opportunity for the girls in Years 7 to 13 to come together and experience a strong sense of community with their year-group cohort while challenging themselves individually. Another highlight was the inaugural Dio Culture Night, which celebrated the School’s diversity through dance, music and food, fostering inclusion and meaningful connections.

The pandemic has certainly highlighted the importance of community. This was evident in the incredible response following the storms that hit Auckland in late January and early February.

Working bees led by the properties team saw staff and community volunteers help clean up flooded areas of the campus so the school year could get underway.

In her chaplain’s homily on page 44, Reverend Sandy Robertson explores the concept of community and notes that it requires commitment and effort. The strength of a community lies in its solid foundation in love, and the way we see ourselves impacts how we relate to others. Self-love and acceptance can help us to love others and become better members of our community.

Continue to take care of yourself and of each other as we embrace postpandemic living.

Deirdre Coleman and Liz McKay

Dio Today editors

“When we look at what binds us together as community here at Dio – the shared vision for outstanding education, the values of honesty, integrity, respectfulness, and empathy from our Strategic Direction document, and the aspirational statements in our Culture code, it is clear that we have the desire and intention to be community. To ensure that our foundations are solid requires commitment and effort. I challenge each one of us to demonstrate that commitment to this community and to put in the effort. It can be transformational.”

The Rev’d Sandy Robertson, Chaplain

At the Cultural Evening, celebrated in Term 2, Head Prefect Aniva Clarke performed a traditional Samoan dance called a taualuga. Traditionally, this was performed by the eldest daughter of the Matai, the village chief. The daughter of the Matai is called the Taupou. A Samoan Taupou represents her family, her village and her values. She is expected to carry herself with grace and elegance. When a Taupou performs a taualunga, she wears specific and sacred attire.