Principal’s Message

Check out Mrs. Williams Principal Address from Senior Prize Giving

Herman Melville, an American novelist of the 1800s, once said, ‘We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibres connect us with our fellow men.’

If you reflect on this past year what connections have you formed within this school, with its people? What have you done to build a sense of belonging?

Over the holidays, I travelled to England and Scotland. In London, I visited the New Zealand war memorial, acknowledging those service men and women who died in World War One and Two. In Edinburgh, I toured the royal family’s former yacht, where I saw a model sailing ship made from New Zealand rimu,  gifted to the Royal Family by New Zealand. No matter how far I went, I found myself seeking fellow Kiwis and looking for elements of home. 

I grew up here, in Hamilton. It is my tūrangawaewae.

Just two weekends ago, my husband, daughter, and I buried our grandson’s placenta in our garden. Our two daughters’ placentas are also buried here in the Waikato. The Waikato is a part of me.

As a student, I attended Fairfield College and Fraser High School. These schools hold meaning for me. Now I am a principal at this kura and luckily, it’s in Hamilton. Though I’ve lived in places as diverse as Auckland, Japan, Matamata, and Oamaru, Hamilton has always called me home.

When I watch our kapa haka roopu, see our music and drama students perform or cheer on one of our sports teams I feel an emotion that resonates deep within me—it’s a connection to people, to this kura, to this land.

Why am I telling you this?

Because your place in this school—your sense of belonging here—will shape not only your success while you’re at school but who you become beyond it. Whether you realise it or not, the place you grow up, the schools you attend, and the people you meet profoundly influence who you are. As you get older, you’ll find this connection matters more. You may not remember every lesson from the classroom, although that sets you up for your career but you’ll remember the people you connected with and the experiences that made you feel like you belonged. If all you did was attend classes, your memories may become a black and white depiction of what could have been vibrant colour.

Just as my connection to Aotearoa, to Hamilton, and certain schools means so much to me, this kura will call to you long after you’ve left. The connections you make here through participation, will turn this school from just a place into your tūrangawaewae—the place where you feel empowered and connected. 

If you want to give yourself the best chance to grow during your time at school, you need to build your own sense of belonging. And it’s not enough to just work hard in the classroom. True belonging comes when you step outside those walls and embrace the opportunities around you. Whether it’s joining a sports team, a cultural group, or a club—that’s where you’ll find your place, and that’s where you’ll truly grow.

Dr. Brené Brown, an academic and podcaster, has said:
‘True belonging is not passive. It’s not the belonging that comes with just joining a group. It’s not fitting in or pretending or selling out because it’s safer. It’s a practice that requires us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people without sacrificing who we are.’

At senior prizegiving we acknowledged students who have excelled in sports, culture, and academics. Many of those recognized that afternoon are also deeply involved in school life beyond the classroom, a testament to how belonging influences achievement. When you’re brave enough to make connections, regardless of who you are and what has brought you here, you open doors to growth, to discovering who you truly are and to success.

As a student, coming to school is not your choice, and for some of you, neither was this specific school. But you do have a choice in what you do with your time here. You have a choice to shape your future and the person you will become.

So I challenge you: step up, get involved, and make this place your own. Because one day, you will look back and realise that your time here wasn’t just about achievements—it was about belonging. And that sense of belonging will stay with you for life.

To our Year 13 students who are currently sitting exams, kia kaha. Wherever you go next, forge new connections with people and places. Have the courage to be vulnerable and get involved in your new community.

To our staff and support staff, thank you for always going above and beyond to create opportunities for students to grow into the incredible Year 13 students we see here today.

I also want to personally thank the Board, the Senior leadership team and staff for your support this year. Becoming a principal makes you very vulnerable. And rightly so because you are accountable for the best possible outcomes for everyone who belongs to this kura.

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people.