As we reach the end of another year, it’s natural to pause and reflect; on what we want to continue doing, what we might leave behind, and what we hope to begin as we grow together as a school.
One area we have been especially focused on this year is deepening our relationship with you, our alumni.
A school is the heart of its community. It is a living entity shaped by its past, grounded in its present, and reaching toward its future. Those who have attended before are the foundations of who we are. You helped establish the culture and traditions that current students inherit. You built the school’s reputation and continue to enrich our identity through the lives you now lead. Our students today will one day stand where you stand, carrying Hillcrest High School with them into their own futures. Without our alumni, the story of who we are would be incomplete, missing the history, the experiences, and the vibrant tapestry that gives our kura its depth.
This year we have worked hard to create rich opportunities for students to connect beyond the classroom through sport, culture, the arts and activities that build belonging. Before our Year 13s left for exams, we gathered them for an alumni breakfast and gave each student a postcard linking them to our alumni website. On the back, we reminded them:
As you step into the next chapter, remember that Hillcrest will always be part of your story.
Wherever life takes you, carry the connections, memories and lessons you found here, and know that your place in our whaanau remains.
Stay in touch, stay proud, and continue to find your place in the world.
We were also privileged at Senior Prizegiving to welcome alumna Laura Tupou, who spoke about her journey since leaving Hillcrest and the importance of the friendships and connections she continues to hold. Her message reminded us of the strength of our alumni community, and we hope to make the invitation of an alumni speaker a new tradition at our prizegiving’s.
So why share all of this with you? Because we want to say thank you. Thank you for staying connected by reading our newsletter. Thank you for caring about the kura that once shaped you. Thank you for supporting the alumni who will come after you, and for helping us preserve the memories of those who came before. Your connection continues to help shape the school we are becoming.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out, to share your story, offer your knowledge, reconnect with old friends, or ask how you might be involved. You are part of this living community, and Hillcrest High School will always be strengthened by its alumni whānau.
