216 weeks. That’s how long I have been a student at The Cathedral Grammar School.
During this time, I have participated in approximately 450 choir rehearsals, 210 orchestra rehearsals, and 100 string ensemble rehearsals. I have learned to play the French horn, performed in countless concerts, sung at Chapel more times than I can count, and taken part in music exchanges and festivals. I have also performed in two school Operettas.
I’ve played 48 football games, 32 netball games, and 128 water polo games. I have learned to ride horses, surf, played trampoline dodgeball, sail, zipline through treetops, rock climb, and play golf.
With my class, I have been on five school camps. We started with a night at Living Springs, followed by Wainui, where we tried coasteering and archery. Next, we headed to Hanmer Springs, enjoying the hydro slides and mountain biking through the forest. At Boyle River, we experienced the flying kiwi and learned to read maps while orienteering. Finally, at Castle Hill this year, we spent a night in the forest under tarpaulins, partying with possums at 2 a.m.
As a year group we’ve created countless memories and formed lifetime friendships. We’ve supported each other through success and failures and have worked hard this year to make Cathedral Grammar a school we’re proud to be part of.
I came to Cathedral Grammar in Year 3, from a small country primary school. I was amazed at all of the experiences available to me that have turned into so many fantastic opportunities during my time at school.
One of my highlights this year has been being a part of the Enviroschools initiative and leading Cathedral Grammar towards achieving Bronze status. We’ve been able to reduce the amount of waste from lunch boxes, care for the worm farm and represent Cathedral Grammar at many of the huis. I challenge next year's Enviroschool team to learn from the preschool, they’ve already achieved Bronze status so you need to catch up!
Although it may seem like all we did was have fun, make music and play sports, there has actually been quite a lot of time in the classroom learning.
I’d like to start by thanking Mr Cording for starting my journey at TCGS in year 3. My favourite memory was learning to play the iwi game, guess the element and the highlight was Amoeba tag which was a version of chain tag, except we were all bacteria joining up.
Mrs Leith, getting into your class this year has made English really fun. I’ve really enjoyed writing speeches and the novel studies, thank you for all of your help and motivation this year.
Mr Brooke, your science classes have been one of the highlights of my time at school. From making slime to cooking up hokey pokey, and teaching me that mitochondria look like a big Cheeto puff, you’ve shown me that Science is not at all boring.
Mrs Bennett, thank you so much for all of the help you’ve given me in maths this year. You’ve made every maths class enjoyable and have made sure that I am ready to go to high school next year.
Mrs Holt, thank you for raising the bar on the standard of music at Cathedral Grammar. Under your leadership, even our rehearsals have been enjoyable and I loved all of the opportunities you gave me to represent the school in music.
Ms McCormack, thank you not only for being the coolest form teacher this year but also for being the best Dean we could have asked for in the Girls’ School.
Last but not least, thank you Mr Thelning for making Cathedral Grammar the best school possible. Thank you for your support of our student leaders this year and for the lunches out.
I would like to thank my Nana and Grandad for being my biggest cheerleaders. Thank you to my big sister Georgie for all your support and guidance this year, for giving me fashion advice, and for insisting I include you in my speech. Thanks to Mum and Dad for the late-night baking, the endless shifts as my personal Uber drivers, and for allowing me to come to Cathedral Grammar.
To next year's heads of school, Naomi and Kiran. We started a new tradition this year of bringing home baking to our meetings with Mr Thelning. On his behalf, thank you very much for ensuring that this continues in 2025. Top tip, he loves lemon cake and banana bread, and the only acceptable store-bought option is jam-filled iced raspberry buns!
My biggest challenge this year as a Head of School has been finding the balance between Sammy the 12-year-old and Sammy the Head Girl. You may find that sometimes people forget you’re new to this whole leadership game. My advice to you is not to sweat the small stuff and to enjoy the opportunities that being a Head of School brings.
As my time at Cathedral Grammar comes to an end, I would like to wish all of my fellow students in Year 8 all the best for high school, and I look forward to catching up with you next year at Grammarians Day.
It has been my privilege to be Head Girl for 2024, and I would like to thank the school for giving me this opportunity.
To everybody here today, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a relaxing summer break.
Samantha Burrows
Head Girl 2024