Onehunga High School News

Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Onehunga High School

At Onehunga High School, student wellbeing is central to our goal of ensuring effective systems for learning, engagement and support. We are proud of the inclusive, welcoming culture that continues to grow at OHS—where students feel a strong sense of belonging, enjoy coming to school and are connected to their learning and each other. This positive environment is underpinned by our WAKA values and the strong relationships between staff and students.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve strengthened this foundation through initiatives such as the Hauora Council, student-led assemblies, curriculum alignment in health, and targeted pastoral support. This term, our focus continues with Pink Shirt Day and an upcoming staff session focused on defining what a bullying-free OHS looks like—reinforcing our shared commitment to a respectful and inclusive environment for all. We also appreciate your support of Pink Shirt Day—more than a dress-up, it’s a student-led opportunity to promote kindness, inclusion, and standing up for others.

We are currently running the second year of the NZCER Wellbeing@School survey, which gives students a meaningful voice in shaping their experience. Last year’s results informed our Bullying Prevention Plan, which is now guiding work across student leadership, curriculum, whānau engagement and support systems. This includes upcoming initiatives such as focus groups, upstander training, and strengthened peer leadership. Thank you for encouraging your young person to take part—it helps us build on what’s working and ensures every student feels a strong sense of belonging.

In support of academic progress, this week saw the first NCEA progress summaries shared with students and emailed home. These updates will continue every three weeks and are a valuable tool for monitoring progress and discussing next steps. Please take the time to review them with your child.

Thank you also to all whānau who attended parent–teacher interviews last week. These conversations are an important part of our learning partnership, providing an opportunity to reflect on progress, set goals, and ensure students feel supported both at school and at home. Your engagement plays a key role in helping us work together to support student success.

Finally, we farewell Deputy Principal Bex Muipu this week. Ms Muipu has been an outstanding leader, deeply committed to student achievement, Pasifika success, community connection and building strong systems that make a lasting difference. We are incredibly grateful for her contribution to Onehunga High School and pleased she will remain connected through a number of ongoing projects.

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi

Shameen Hayat
PRINCIPAL

Upcoming Key dates

19 May - CAA Reading
20-21 May - CAA Writing & Numeracy
20 May - Open Day for 2026 enrolments (3.30-6.15pm)
20 May - APO NCEA Music Trip, Level 1- 3
23 May - Year 9 Fakatoukatea Programme
26 May - Rotary Dinner - hosted by Level 2 Food & Hospitality and Catering students
27 May - University of Auckland Overview Seminar, 1.30pm
28 May - Massey University Overview Seminar, 1.30pm
2 June - Kings Birthday (school is closed)
3 June - Unitec Overview Seminar, 1.30pm
3-10 June - Network For Learning Wifi Upgrade
11 June - Otago University Overview Seminar, 1.30pm
12 June - Distinguished Alumni Dinner - hosted by Level 3 Food & Hospitality and Catering students
5 June - Victoria University - Te Herenga Waka Overview seminar, 1.30pm
16 June - Open Day for 2026 enrolments (3.30pm-6.15pm)
18 June - Year 13 Health Science Academy Leadership Trip 9am - 1pm
19 June - Matariki Boil Up
20 June - Matariki (school is closed)
27 June - Last day of Term 2

Major Wi-Fi Upgrade at Onehunga High School: 3–10 June

From 3–10 June, Onehunga High School will undergo a major upgrade to its Wi-Fi network and switching infrastructure as part of a nationwide Ministry of Education programme led by Network for Learning (N4L). This work will cause some disruption and temporary outages during the upgrade period, but the long-term benefits will be significant.

This project will deliver a faster, safer, and more reliable internet experience, supporting the needs of modern teaching and learning. The upgrade will give our teachers greater flexibility to use digital tools across all learning spaces—both in and out of the classroom—without the concerns of slow speeds, patchy connectivity, or overloaded networks.

While the upgrade is taking place, some parts of the school will temporarily go offline, but not all areas will be affected at once. Students should continue to bring their devices to school as usual, as teaching and learning will continue throughout the process.

During this time, we ask for your patience with any delays or interruptions to school communication systems as we work through the upgrade.

Once complete, Onehunga High School will benefit from next-generation network infrastructure, capable of supporting our growing use of technology and future-focused curriculum delivery.

This Ministry-led initiative is part of the Te Mana Tūhono programme, designed to strengthen digital learning environments in schools across Aotearoa. We look forward to enjoying the benefits of a more robust and secure digital learning environment in the near future.

OHS Embraces The Spirit Of Pink Shirt Day.

Pink Shirt Day is now well established in schools and workplaces around the world.

Rainbow's End Delivers Lessons In Physics.

Never has learning the concepts of mechanical physics seemed more interesting to the Year 13 Physics class, as it did at Rainbow’s End .

Whole School Assembly.

Today's whole school assembly was the first of Term 2 and served to remind students that the steps they take now lay the foundations for future academic success.

OHS Construction School Success

Two inspiring young men have embarked on a remarkable journey in the construction industry.

Level 2 Biology Go Into the Field to Support Learning.

As part of their Level 2 Biology curriculum, students recently carried out a practical investigation at the rocky shore of North Head, Devonport.

Japanese Principals Visit OHS.

We were pleased to host twelve Principals from across Japan for a day at OHS last week.

Hunter Pert - NZ Inline Hockey Representative!

Hunter Pert 9co is a New Zealand Representative Inline Hockey Player.

Nerys Returns From Oceania Qualifiers.

Nerys Fish 10Hs has returned from the Cook Islands after playing in the Cook Islands U16 Women’s Football Team in the Oceania qualifying tournament.

Lile-Rose Begins Exciting Journey With Cassidy Construction.

Onehunga High School is proud to celebrate the success of Lile-Rose Sinisa, a student from the Building School who is embarking on a work experience placement with Cassidy Construction.

SHOOTING ⭐️ AWARD WEEK 1 TERM 2 - ZEVA O'SULLIVAN Y11

SHOOTING ⭐️ AWARD WEEK 3, TIAKI STRICKLAND Y12

Tiaki Strickland is a standout student whose strong leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to school life make him a respected and influential role model at Onehunga High School.

ACADEMIC AWARDS NIGHT 2025 FOR STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS

We're very proud of you Jessica & Sumaiyah and congratulations once again to you and your families.

OUR VERY OWN IN MANA MOANA CONCERT LAST FRIDAY

Vaitofiga performs with NZ Symphony, Signature Choir.

Empowering Young Leaders: Students Attend World Vision Youth Conference.

Last week OHS students, Rania Singh, Buwaneshi Elpitiya Acharige, Vinnie Carter, Lawrence Stanley-Schuster, Jacob Cooper, and Emerson Rockell, joined students from across New Zealand to attend the World Vision Youth Conference.

Murder on the Orient Express- Delights Students.

Our Year 11–13 Drama students enjoyed a captivating matinee performance at the ASB Theatre in Auckland on Thursday.

Sports News

Our winter sports codes have started off well in their respective campaigns. Onehunga High School has up to 25 teams competing in College Sport competitions weekly. A big thank you to our staff and volunteers that have put their hand up to help. Highlight results as below:

Senior A Girls Basketball win their first game after a return to the premier grade Auckland Senior A level vs McAuley Girls High School 52-34.
Our Boys basketball teams have split their opening rounds with all teams sporting a 1-1 record. The U17 Boys opened with a bye first round.
Our newest teams took to the court in their debut campaigns: Y9 Green Netball, Boys B Green & Girls B Green Badminton, Junior Girls Basketball.
Boys 1^st XI, Junior A XI, Junior B XI claimed wins in their first games. The Girls 1^st XI are 1-1-1 to start their season, while the 2^nd XI are 1-1.
The Boys First XV secured their first competition points with a tough 17 all draw with Mt Roskill Grammar. Our Girls 10s have started 1-1 as they look to defend their ARU Girls 10s title.
Our Intermediate Boys Orienteering relay team finished 6^th in the Auckland Schools Relay Champions.
Race 2 of the Auckland MTB Cross Country Series took place on Sunday 11^th May. Only two OHS riders were available for the event with Louie Gould finishing 156^th in U14’s and Gio Miñano claiming 2^nd in the U16’s.
After Race 2, Gio Miñano is sitting in 2^nd place overall and Louie Gould in 7^th.
Sarah Hellyer’s 800m time of 2:06.19, recorded back in March, has now been officially ratified by Athletics New Zealand as the U17 National Record.
You can find the confirmation here: https://www.anzrankings.org.nz

Upcoming tournaments/events. If interested in participating, please see the Sports Department:
- Auckland Schools Cross Country Championships – 4^th June. Entries close Thursday 22 May.

The winter sport season has seen a growth in teams here at Onehunga High School. With the increase in numbers, we are looking for additional support to ensure our students get to represent the school across in their chosen sports. If you are interested in helping out as a supervisor, coach or manager please get in touch with the Sport Department to see what we have available.

Photos: Gio Miñano and Louie Gould participating in the Auckland MTB Cross Country Series

Careers

This week we welcomed Laura Goulden from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to speak with our Yr 13 students about the many qualifications on offer at AUT and the diverse careers they lead to. In the coming weeks, students will also hear from representatives of other tertiary institutions, including the University of Auckland, MIT, Unitec, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria, Massey, Waikato, and Otago University.

Our Careers Insights lunchtime seminar series, designed to give students real-world insights and a chance to connect with professionals, also runs through Terms 2 and 3. We have guest speakers from a wide range of industries that our Year 13s have expressed interest in, from Music production to Communications, to Paramedicine - and many more!

Next Tuesday lawyers from Meredith Connell will meet with our students interested in Law, and on Wednesday we look forward to hearing from Constable Ryan Tiakia about careers in the NZ Police force. All Careers seminars are promoted via the OHS Careers website ohs.careerwise.school and Notices, and for further information please email Mrs Shaw on [email protected]

Adult Learning

Our Adult Learning Centre has been very busy over the last two weeks with the start of Term 2 courses. It has been great to see students starting new projects and learning new skills.

We still have a range of courses available to enrol in this term:

Saturday 24th May 9am – Candle Making for Beginners
Tuesday 27th May 6:45pm – Appetisers Asian Fusion
Wednesday 28th May 6:45pm – Indian Food Made Easy
Saturday 7th June 9am – Alcohol Ink
Saturday 7th June 9am – Aromatherapy
Saturday 21st June 9am - Self-care with Ayurveda - Women's Health
Saturday 21st June 9am – Latte Art Masterclass

Enrol online at www.adultlearn.co.nz for a $5 discount or email [email protected] for more details.

School TV - Parent Resource

SPECIAL REPORT: Shaping Healthy Masculinity

In today's fast-moving world, many boys are struggling to find direction. Even well-meaning online searches about fitness, confidence or relationships can lead them to content that promotes rigid or unhealthy ideas about masculinity. The critically acclaimed TV show 'Adolescence' has brought fresh attention to this issue, highlighting how boys are often exposed to messages that glorify toughness and dominance, while dismissing empathy and emotional openness.

These outdated beliefs can limit emotional growth and impact how boys relate to others - with real consequences in schools, homes and communities. That's why it's more important than ever to guide boys with care, clarity and connection.

By offering healthier role models, safe spaces to talk, and encouraging respectful friendships - especially across genders - we can help boys develop the confidence, empathy and relationship skills they need to thrive.

This special report calls for a cultural shift and advocates for curiosity-driven dialogue that builds trust and critical thinking. The goal is to raise boys who are not just resistant to harmful influences, but actively capable of questioning and rejecting them.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://ohs.nz.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-shaping-healthy-masculinity-nz

SCHOOL TV

Alumni Registration / Update details

We are currently working on building a comprehensive register of Onehunga High School alumni. Our goal is to reconnect with past students, celebrate their achievements, and strengthen the bonds within our school community. Whether you graduated recently or many years ago, we’d love to hear from you and keep you informed about what's happening at OHS today.

By joining our alumni register, you'll have the opportunity to stay connected with former classmates, attend special events, and support the next generation of students. We believe our alumni are an important part of the Onehunga High School story, and we’re excited to celebrate the lasting impact you’ve made. If you're an OHS graduate or know someone who is, please get in touch and help us spread the word!

https://www.ohs.school.nz/history/alumni