The strong bond our Girls’ School shares with Rangi Ruru School in Christchurch was plain to see during the eagerly anticipated sporting and cultural exchange. This annual reciprocal exchange has been disrupted in recent times due to the Christchurch earthquakes, and was revived last year with the Girls’ School making a long-awaited trip down south. This year it was our turn to host the Rangi girls, with 47 of their Year 7 and 8 students staying with Saint Kentigern families.

The visitors were welcomed to the Girls’ School with a beautiful powhiri. Kapa haka groups from each school performed their waiata before the traditional hongi greeting. The Rangi girls then met their Girls’ School billets, and the early seeds of friendship were sown as they got to know one another. Day two of the exchange kicked off with sporting contests in basketball, indoor football and netball. Home ground advantage came to the fore with our girls winning all of the matches. The girls then engaged in cultural activities, taking part in music and drama sessions. Both schools then demonstrated their musical prowess with a combined concert in the school hall.

The final day commenced with Rangi Ruru attending our weekly Chapel service followed by joining the Year 7 and 8 classes. Too soon for the newly made friends, it was then time for our Rangi counterparts to head home. The connection between the two schools is even more special with former Girls’ School Principal, Dr Sandra Hastie now Principal of Rangi Ruru, and we look forward to the exchange continuing to be an annual fixture!

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