Epsom House 
T E R M
O N E
2 0 1 3
Director of Boarding Report
Kia ora tatou.
Epsom House welcomed 20 new Year 9 students and 13 Year 10-13 students and their families at a Powhiri on a
gloriously warm and sunny Anniversary Day. As always it was a meaningful and memorable occasion for all members
of the community. I must say that all the new students have managed extremely well considering that they have had
to adjust to their new living arrangements, new faces, friends, procedures, navigation around a large school campus
and course requirements. The continuation of consistently warm and sunny weather has also enabled students to
enjoy the outdoors for relaxation, activities and BBQs. Everyone has seemed to settle well with only a few minor bouts of
homesickness.
We do thank Emma Bennett, Head Girl and Tui Turnwald, Deputy Head Girl and the Prefect team for working with new students
during orientation to ensure that they feel well-acquainted with the Epsom House facilities and procedures, and the surrounding
area of Newmarket/Mt Eden and also for organising numerous fun and enjoyable activities for all Epsom House students to enjoy
throughout this first term. They have provided many opportunities for new students to get to know each other and kept spirits high
with everyone.
Youthline facilitators have provided workshops during this time for the new students and Prefect leaders, and facilitators have
continued to build on the initial work through a weekly programme of workshops for Years 9/10. Bree Nicholls, the Epsom House
Counsellor, is also available on Monday evenings and students are able to drop in and see her.
To aid student wellbeing a Eurest dietition has also been into house to talk to students about the importance of eating a wellbalanced diet. As always there were many questions. I have attached the Term 1 menus for parents to see. Students are able to
give feedback about the catering through the Food Committee meetings that are arranged twice a term.
The pace of everyday life has picked up during the term as students have steadily become more involved in co-curricula activities.
There has been quite a lot of student participation in cultural groups and activities. Fia Fia Night and Polyfest are a highlight of the
term and students really show a great commitment to these along with the Waka Ama and Dragonboating competitions.
In house activities have included theme dinners of Hogwarts, Valentine’s Dinner, St Patrick’s Day, all giving students ample scope
to use their imagination for their costumes and a Movie Night for Year 9 students with AGS Year 9 students. There have also been
trips to the Zoo, Auckland Museum, Waiwera and the Lantern Festival as well as the main social event of the term—the EH Social–
Hollywood. I would like to thank all those parents who kindly gave their time to help at the social.
What else has been happening…..
Wifi that was installed at the end of last year is now
available throughout the house and this runs in conjunction
with the cable connection to each student’s room which
enables them to not only access the internet but also
access the school network.
Currently we are running a trial of Facebook for a month
between 3.30-5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Enrolments
Advertisements were placed in a number of North Island
newspapers in early March and the Epsom House Open Day
afternoon was well attended by prospective parents and
students who are interested to apply for Epsom House
places in 2014. Applications for Year 9 will close on
Monday 6 May 2013 and for Years 10-13 on Friday 6
September.
Hostel RelicensingEvery 3 years Epsom House is required by the Ministry of
Education to apply for relicensing. I am pleased and relieved
that Epsom House has been relicensed for another 3 years.
Epsom House Development
We are really excited to learn that the EGGS BOT has asked
that working plans be drawn up for the building of a new
boarding block, which we are referring to as a ‘Pod’.
Meet Our New Staff
We would like to welcome this yearAndy Ferrer - Maintenance Person
Epsom House Office Receptionist - May Ngam
Dining Room Supervisor/Prep Supervisor - Penny Brown
English/Arts Tutor - Claire Fouhy
Maths/Science Tutor - Louise Wan
Night Supervisor - Rebecca Joyce
Both May and Penny are former EGGS and EH students
and it is always a pleasure to be able to employ former
students.
Good Byes
Thank you and good wishes go to Mike Maran, who has left
his position as Maintenance Person and Ira Dennison who
will be leaving her position of Weekend Night Supervisor at
the end of this term.
I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday. Epsom
House will reopen for Term 2 on Sunday 5 May, at 2.30pm.
Carole Cowley
Director of Epsom House
Leadership Roles (at School)
Epsom House Senior Prefects:
School Prefect
Arizona Leger (Head Girl), Tui Turnwald
(Deputy Head Girl)
Sports Leaders
Taygen Dawson (Rugby and Waka Ama)
Arts & Culture
Maddison Freestone Leong (Kaiarahi)
Emma Bennett (Head Girl), Tui Turnwald (Deputy Head Girl)
Arizona Leger, Minna Broucker, Gemma Kerrisk, Eilish Maddock,
Eri Short, Taygen Dawson, Madison Kinney, Chantal Tse and
Aniva Hunkin
Epsom House Peer Support Prefects:
Lucy McCarthy
Monica Barlow and Chelsea Smith (Kaihautu)
Hannah Williamson
Maddison Freestone-Leong Charlotte Berger
Eri Short (Cook Island Leader)
Lorre Mihaere (Hip Hop Leader)
Epsom House Head Prefects
Epsom House Peer Support Prefects
Lucy
Maddison
Charlotte
Hannah
Epsom House Senior Prefects
Arizona
Minna
Gemma
Eilish
Eri
Taygen
Madison
Chantal
Aniva
Head Girls Report
We started off the year with a bang and what a busy term it has
been. Our first duty as prefects was to learn a Maori song to sing
at the powhiri in front of the new students and parents. Sitting up
the front as Year 13’s we couldn’t help but think back to when we
were sitting there anxious and excited five years ago. The Powhiri
was lovely and truly exhibited our multiculturalism here in Epsom
House. The orientation was quickly underway with various
activities planned and run by the prefect team to help the girls
settle in and to keep them busy and entertained. We organised
tours of the school, Newmarket and Mount Eden, as well as skits,
swims at the school pool and icebreaker games. Waitangi Day
was quickly upon us and we ran a cultural morning with a kiwi
quiz and Maori cultural games. For the first two weekends the
new year 9’s were required to stay in and we took them out for
day trips to both the museum and the zoo which were lovely days
out. Not only at the hostel but also at school the girls have been
busy taking part in different activities. Swimming sports and
athletics day took the school by storm, the students all exert such
great school spirit and love to get involved. The atmosphere is
always so positive and enthusiastic meaning that we never fail to
have a great time as well as achieving some great results in both
the non-champ and champ events.
Throughout this term the prefect team has run some great
themed dinners, including our introductory Hogwarts themed
dinner where the prefects dressed up as Harry Potter characters
and sorted the new students into their houses (Owens=Yellow,
Gilles=Black, Manukau=Green, Alpers=Blue) with the sorting hat
as in the books and movies. The dining room was decorated with
big yellow stars all over the windows and the Harry Potter theme
music playing in the background. For Valentines Day we
decorated the dining room with pink love hearts, balloons and
streamers and did the traditional dress up and pick up lines
house competition which was a laugh. Saint Patricks day was also
a hit, we decorated the dining room with heaps of green balloons,
lanterns and streamers and everybody dressed to theme in
anything green they could muster.
Over at school a bbq was held for all the new students, to
promote all the activities Epsom Girls has to offer and all the year
9’s went over dressed up in their athletics day themed costumes.
It was a busy week with athletics day as well as our annual trip to
Waiwera which gave the girls an opportunity for a pleasant soak
and to cool off after the action packed days in the sun during
athletics day. We were lucky enough to be allowed to join in on
an aqua aerobics class which was a blast as well as the classic
movie pool and slides.
This year we hosted the year nine movie night with the boys
from Tibbs House (Auckland Grammar School) where they
watched Pitch Perfect with giant bowls of popcorn on huge
beanbags. The night ran well and both the boys and girls
parted with cheesy grins.
The following week we hosted a prefects bbq with a few
prefects from the surrounding hostels. It gave us the
opportunity to meet and compare hostel activities and
protocols as well as just have a bit of fun with a great quiz,
music and games.
The Epsom House students never fail to be prominent
members of cultural groups at school and show amazing
dedication and talent performing at the school’s FiaFia night
and Polyfest where we came away with some wonderful
results/placings.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the parents
who came along to support and help out with our Hollywood
themed social this term as well as all the staff and students
who took part and helped out. The night was a huge success
and a great way to conclude a busy term with great music and
the opportunity to meet new people.
The Sports Centre over at school hosted an Open day and
many hostel girls went over to help out and participate in the
wide range of sports and activities on offer, it was a fun day
and many New Zealand sports stars came along to host
coaching sessions and just have a throw around.
This term we have been trying to start up a birthday celebration
scheme with a special cake at the end of each month for all
those who had their birthdays during that month which has run
well so far and we aim to continue it.
All in all, this has been an action packed term full of excitement
and hard work, its safe to say these holidays have been well
deserved and we cant wait to dive into Term 2.
Emma Bennett and Tui Turnwald
Arts & Cultural Report
This term at hostel has been a full-on term for
some girls with sports and cultural activities;
it has also been a successful term for Dragon
boating and Waka Ama. Dragon boating this
year has been another success for the two
Epsom teams who competed in the Auckland
Secondary Schools Regional Dragon Boating
Championship which was held at Lake
Pupuke in Takapuna. Both Epsom teams
walked away with great results with the 1st
team of Year 13s placing 1st in the 500m
Championship final and the Year 12s placing
2nd in the 500m Auckland championship final
as well. Hostels who were apart of these
teams were Minna Brouncker of Year 13 and
Lucy McCarthy, Ella Griffin-King and Hannah
Melville-Rea of Year 12.
The senior Waka Ama girls also came away with some of the
best results that Epsom has had in Waka Ama. In early March
the senior Waka Ama girls competed in the Auckland Regional
competition where the U19 Girls placed 1st in the250m
Championship Final and the other U19 Girls team placed 1st in
the 250m Plate Final.
Later in the month 1 team of U16 Girls and 2 teams of U19
Girls travelled down to Blue Lake in Rotorua to compete in the
Waka Ama Secondary Schools Nationals where they competed
against 75 other schools and came away with some awesome
results. The U16 Girls placed 2nd in the plate mixed 250m
final where they mixed with De La Salle and one of the U19
Girls teams placed 2nd in the 250m championship final only
missing out on 1st place by 1second. Hostels who were a part
of these teams were Taygen Dawson of Year 13, Lucy
McCarthy, Ella Griffin-King, Hannah Melville-Rea, Caitlyn
Ruddell and Tayla Beddoes of Year 12 and Harriett Warren,
Laura Waller, Sophie Holst, Lucky Marshall and Mira
Steinmetz of Year 11. I congratulate all these girls in their
achievements and wish the best of luck to all teams who have
yet to compete in their sports.
Taygen Dawson
Weekend Activities
Tena Koutou Katoa
Nga mihi mahana kia koutou
Warm greetings to you all. We have had a long extended summer which is drawing to a close.
Our handy location has enabled the Juniors to attend the following outings - the Zoo, Museum, Lantern Festival, Chinese
New Year, Pasifica, Polyfest, St Peters College Fair, Sylvia Park
and Onehunga Malls.
A trip was organised to Waiheke Island, but due to insufficient
numbers this was cancelled. Maybe this might be possible
later in the year.
There have been many in-house activities.
I wish you all a restful holiday.
Waratah Eruera
To get returning girls back in the swing of things and to help
the new girls get more familiar with each other and the new
city they now find themselves in, we started Term one with
some rather exciting outings! We began with an interesting trip
to the Auckland Museum, a day at the Zoo checking out the
animals, a cultural evening at the Lantern festival in Albert
Park and an afternoon on a train to Sylvia Park. When we
didn’t go out we explored the hostel with a treasure hunt,
played volley ball, went for swims in the pool, painted our own
kites at the school, made cards and played charades.
Everyone is now well familiar with Newmarket and some even
ventured as far as Parnell to have hot chocolates at the
delicious Chocolate shop. We have been and checked out St
Peters College at their annual School Fair and had many rides
on the flying fox at the park while taking walks to Mt Eden. It
has been a fun and busy term and I look forward to another
exciting round of activities for Term 2!
Corrina Hoseason
Assistant Weekend Activity Supervisor
TRIP TO WAIWERA HOT POOLS
VALENTINES’ DAY CELEBRATION
ST PATRICKS DAY
EPSOM HOUSE SOCIAL - HOLLYWOOD
Housekeeping
Uniform
It is important that all clothing is named.
Bedlinen
Students need to have a change of bedlinen and so please
ensure your daughter has 2 sets of sheets and pillow cases.
Laundry Bags
Students are requested to have a laundry bag which is big
enough to carry laundry and this needs to be named.
Weekend Return Times
Students returning back from weekend leave should be back in
house by the following timesYear 9 .................. 8pm
Year 10 ................ 8.30pm
Year 11 ................ 8.45pm
Year 12 & 13....... 9pm
Important Dates for 2013 - Term 2
Term 2 Return
Please note that Epsom House will reopen after the vacation
on Sunday 5 May at 2.30pm.
Week 1
Mon 6 May
Wed 8 May
Week 2
Wed 15 May
Thu 16 May
Term 2 begins
Closing date for Year 9 2014 applications
Late start
Late start
PTA Year 9 & 10 Parent Drinks in the Sports
Centre
Week 3
Mon 20 May
Winter Uniform Compulsory
Wed 22 May
Late start
Week 4
Wed 29 May
Late start
Fri 31 May
Year 13 Ball
House closed at 5.30pm for start of Queens
Birthday Weekend
Term Breaks and Long Weekends
When leaving for the term break and long weekends students
and parents are reminded that Epsom House closes at 5.30pm.
Parents are requested to make alternative arrangements for
their daughter if they are unable to pick them up at this time.
Week 5
Mon 3 June
Queens Birthday - Epsom House will reopen
at 2.300pm
Tues 4 June
Mid term break - EGGS Closed
Electrical Appliances-Safety Compliance
Wed 5 June
Late start
All electrical appliances should be checked frequently and
tagged in the interest of meeting safety compliance before they
bring appliances back into Epsom House at the start of Term 2.
Week 6
Storage
Week 7
Storage is limited at Epsom House. Students may store one
bag at the end of each term. Overseas students may store their
belongings at Epsom House during vacation time.
Wed 20 June
Wed 12 June
Week 8
Wed 26 June
Contact with Epsom House
When sending an email regarding leave please use
[email protected].
Late start
Late start
Late start
Week 9
Wed 3 July
Late start
Week 10
Weekend Leave Requests
Please get these to Epsom House by Wednesday of each week
if possible. Those leaving early for any reason need to obtain
special leave permission, with an email and form that can be
obtained at the EH Office.
Wed 10 July
Fri 12 July
Late start
Last day of Term 2 House closes at 5.30pm
A copy of this newsletter can be downloaded from the
school website www.eggs.school.nz
From The Parents’ Committee
A reminder to all those parents who have yet to pay your modest annual donation to Epsom House of $20/year. This donation
is used to fund the end of year celebration dinner and please note, this dinner could not proceed without this parent donation.
The donation is also used to purchase the leaving girls’ gift plus provide other equipment not covered by their boarding fees.
Towards the end of last year six super size bean bags were purchased to allow the girls to get outside in the fresh air and take a
break from their studies and enjoy the summer weather. We are also looking at purchasing two new outdoor tables when funds
allow.
Your donation can be paid by internet banking, details of which are below.
Bank BNZ, account name – Epsom House Parents Committee, account number 02 0468 0069644 00. Please use “donation”
as reference and “your daughters surname” in the particulars field. Receipts will be issued on request. PLEASE DO NOT USE
THE SCHOOL ACCOUNT OR EPSOM HOUSE BOARDING FEES ACCOUNT.
Alternatively you may pay by cheque by leaving a cheque at the EH reception made out to “Epsom House Parents Committee” or
you may post to the Treasurer, details as follows:
Julie Fox
235 Ostrich Road
RD4
Pukekohe 2679.
We do not ask for cakes for cake stalls or for parents to fund this committee with other fund raising initiatives and it would be
great to get 100% support from our hostel parents. If you or your daughter have any suggestions of items they may like at
Epsom House please let someone on the committee know or attend our meetings which are held on the Sunday evening, (the
next meeting being 5th May 2013) - usually at 4.30pm but check your emails to confirm- prior to the start of each new term.
Epsom House Parents’ Meeting — Sunday 5 May, at 4.30pm
All parents are welcome to attend a parents’ meeting on Sunday 5 May, 4.30pm.
WAITANGI DAY CELEBRATIONS
Deputy Principal
Kia ora,
The rain has settled in while I write this newsletter piece, much
to the relief of many of our families in rural areas, so it seems
appropriate for the term to be ending.
It has been a great pleasure to observe the number of Epsom
House girls involved in school activities and in many cases
taking leadership roles. I sit on stage feeling quite proud
when the Epsom House students accept their medals or
accolades.
Waka Ama and dragon boating have been sports with a strong
Epsom House presence and both have done very well in
national competitions. The involvement in cultural activities
like the Poly fest has been really noticeable as well. It is also
great to see the Epsom House involvement in supporting the
many school activities we have. Epsom House
girls were heavily involved in supporting the Sports centre open
day, the school open morning and the Epsom House open day.
The feedback from the public always mentions how friendly,
nice and confident the students are. Congratulations to all the
girls who were involved in these activities as well as all the
other activities going on in the school.
It is exciting to let you all know that we have asked for working
drawings to done for the new pod. We should get these next
term, so I will be able to report to you about progress in the
next newsletter.
I am looking forward to meeting as many parents at the
parents meeting at the start of term as possible. I hope you
have a great holiday and as much rain as you need.
Sarah Stenson
Uniform
Winter uniform is optional from the start of Term 2 and compulsory form Monday 20 May.
It is important that students present themselves smartly and staff ask that students take the time during the vacation to carry out
any minor repairs needed to their uniforms. All items of clothing need to be named.
Epsom House Contact details:
Account Queries:
Enrolment and
Administration:
Epsom Girls Grammar School
Contact details:
Director of Epsom House
Mrs Carole Cowley
Mrs Deb Franklin
Mrs Chris Barnes
Deans
Year 9:
Phone: 09 623 5127
Fax:
09 638 8957
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Phone: 09 970 6711
(direct dial)
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Phone: 09 970 6808
(direct dial)
Fax: 09 638 9143
E-Mail:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Year 10:
Year 11:
Year 12:
Year 13:
Mrs Wendy Bunting &
Ms Claire McConachie
Ms Jo O’Donnell &
Mrs Debbie Orr
Mrs Jeanette Davidson
Mrs Marama O’Loughlin
Mrs Kalvir Martin &
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Mrs Roxanne Walker &
Ms Alpna Sood