Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College,
 It was a privilege and a pleasure to honour Nick Laing as the fifth alumni to receive the Howick College Distinguished Alumni Award. The ceremony was superb and a great learning moment to finish off the term. Special thanks to Kate Pike, Vanessa Pickett, and the many staff and students who helped create such a memorable and well organised event (see programme). Most importantly, our students had the opportunity to hear a powerful message about leadership through service from one of our own.
Nick’s life of service began during his school days at Howick College, where he provided tutoring support to the Learner Support Department and helped run the Circle of Friends Programme. His dedication continued after leaving the college, with roles at Youthline, Rainbow Youth, and Starship Children's Hospital. In senior positions such as Team Leader at Auckland District Health Board and General Manager of Operations at the AIDS Foundation, he demonstrated unwavering commitment to service and leadership. Today, as CEO of Canteen Aotearoa, Nick continues to lead with compassion and purpose.
 Nick Laing with Head Students and award ceremony MCs, Kalos Robinson-Frani and Sophie White. |
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What an inspiring example Nick sets for our students! He shows them that their dedication and service at Howick College can extend well beyond their time here. By actively engaging in meaningful initiatives, students can continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Best wishes for the school holidays. Have wonderful time with family and friends.
Dale Burden
Principal/Tumuaki | | Monday 14 October
Term 4 Begins
Tuesday 15 October
NCEA Level 1 Music Concert
7:00pm, Entry Free
Wednesday 16 October
NCEA Levels 2&3 Music Concert
7:00pm, Entry Free
Friday 18 - Saturday 19 October
50th Jubilee Celebrations
Tuesday 22 October
End of Year Gala Music Concert
7:00pm, Entry Free
Thursday 24 October
Senior Honours
Thursday 25 October
Last Day for Seniors
Monday 28 October
Labour Day
Wednesday 30 October -
Sunday 3 November
Visual Arts Showcase
Thursday 31 October
Sports Awards Evening
Tuesday 5 - Friday 29 November
NCEA Exams
Tuesday 19 November -
Sunday 1 December
Year 9 Camps
PhotoLife Winter Teams & Groups Photos are now available for collection from the Student Office. |
LOOKING BACK
1992 - Peer Support Programme Launched Third formers learn to trust each other in the Great Peer Support Human Domino Fall. In 1992, Howick College launched its Peer Support Programme in response to social challenges stemming from the school’s rapidly growing size and diversity. This forward-thinking initiative, driven by the belief that students are a school’s most valuable resource, aimed to create a harmonious environment through student-led support. The programme helped third-form students transition into secondary school by offering opportunities for personal growth and friendship, including open discussions, shared lunches, and team activities.
The foundations were laid in 1990 when the Guidance Department developed a specialised Peer Support curriculum. By 1991, senior students were training under the programme, working towards the Howick College Peer Support Helpers Certificate. This certificate, earned after completing four units of training and practical service, equipped students with leadership and peer mentoring skills. Senior students, trained in communication and counselling, led the groups, guiding and supporting their younger peers.
OUR 50TH JUBILEE IS ALMOST HERE! With less than a month to go until our 50th Jubilee celebrations, time is running out to secure your spot! Make sure you’ve registered for the all the events you would like to attend and don’t miss this very special weekend of reconnecting with old friends and familiar faces.
Register now to guarantee your place: https://howick.ptly.com/goldenjubilee
2024 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD - NICK LAING Nick Laing with his very proud family. (Photo credit: Student photographer, Kate Donnell) This week, were were delighted to present former student Nick Laing, with the Howick College Distinguished Alumni Award. This prestigious award recognises those individuals who have not only gone on to achieve excellence in their chosen field or profession, but have also made a meaningful contribution to society. Nick, who attended Howick College from 1994-1998, has played a vital role within the health and not-for-profit sectors and currently serves as the CEO of Canteen Aotearoa.
Nick's journey is a testament to the power of service and leadership. During his time as a student, he was actively involved in volunteer work, setting him on a path to positively impact the lives of others. His story encourages current and future generations of Howick College students to seize opportunities and give back to their communities. To read more about Nick’s inspiring journey and achievements please click here.
Congratulations Nick, on this well-deserved honour!
 | | NEW STUDENT BOARD REPCongratulations to our 2024/2025 Student Board Representative, Sachi Siope-Taniue (Y11). Sachi, who is proud of her Samoan-Niuean heritage, has a strong history of leadership and a passion for driving change. Her goal is to advocate for student concerns and serve as their voice on the Board. She looks forward to making a positive impact at Howick College.
We extend our gratititude all nominees for putting themselves forward for the role of 2024/2025 Student Board Representative. Special thanks go to the outgoing representative, Kaide Toia, for her dedicated service to the school.
We would also like to commend all students who participated in the voting process; your participation is important in shaping our community!
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YOUNG ARTIST'S FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION | | We are excited to announce that one of our talented Year 13 Painting students, Estelle Ruijne, is about to launch her first solo exhibition at Uxbridge Arts Centre next week! Along with showcasing her incredible work, Estelle will also be hosting a free community kōrero on October 19, where she’ll share insights into her paintings and poetry (more details here).
Her exhibition, Metamorphōsis, explores the confusion, discomfort, and transformation that often come with growing up. In her work, figures peel away layers of skin, sprout wings, or emerge from cocoons - each revealing a profound metamorphosis beneath the surface. Inspired by Ovid’s "Metamorphosis", Estelle’s art captures the invisible changes she and her peers have experienced, using vivid imagery to bring those emotions to life.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to support one of our own and witness her powerful storytelling through both painting and poetry!
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CELEBRATING CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL In the lead up to Chinese Language Week, our Year 9 and Year 10 Chinese students enthusiastically participated in Mid-Autumn Festival activities, a celebration steeped in tradition and cultural significance. In class, students learned about the festival’s history while crafting traditional mooncakes, which were a huge hit! This hands-on experience allowed them to explore cultural practices, such as sharing mooncakes to symbolise unity, and they enjoyed engaging with Chinese folklore such as the legend of Chang’e. The occasion fostered great cultural appreciation, and our students were excited to deepen their understanding of Chinese traditions. SPORTS DEPARTMENT2023/2024 Sports Awards Nominations To ensure we recognise the most deserving individuals and teams, we invite nominations for our annual Howick College Sports Awards. The sporting year runs from Term 4 2023 to the end of Term 3 (including holidays) 2024. Nominations are open to everyone in our community and must be submitted by Friday 4 October.
Please provide a detailed description of the nominee/s' achievements. Nominations without this information will not be considered. Please submit one form per nominee. You may nominate the same individual for multiple awards or submit multiple nominations. NZSS Netball Nationals 2024 Good luck to our fabulous Premier Netball team, who will be competing in the NZ Secondary Schools National Netball Championships in Christchurch from 8 to 11 October after winning the 2024 UNISS competition last month. They will be among the top 16 schools in the country, vying for the honour of being named New Zealand champions.
A huge thank you to our incredible community, including the businesses and families who have supported the girls in covering the costs of getting to Christchurch.
U18 Northern Underwater Hockey RepsCongratulations to the following past and present Howick College Underwater Hockey players who were named for the 2024 Northern U18 teams. Special mention to Keun York who is still a junior player and the youngest selected for teh A team. They will be competing in the New Zealand UWH Interzones U18 Championship this Labour Day weekend in Wellington. BOYS U18 TEAMS
Northern A Team
Daniel Glenie (Y13)
Rhyan Galloway (Y13)
Ben Hew (Y13)
Kuen York (Y10)
Northern B Team
Luke Marshall (Y12)
Luca Preisig (Y13)
| | GIRLS U18 TEAMS
Northern A Team
Kendra Scully (Y13)
Phoebe Ata (2023)
Juliet Curwood (2023)
Northern B Team
Chenuthi Galgamuwa (Y10)
Reserves: Kiera York (Y11) & Reilee Butcher (Y10) |
Golfing Success Continues | | Talented golfer, Glenn Solomann, recently competed in the Poverty Bay Men’s Open Championship in Gisborne. On Thursday, 19 September, Glenn played two rounds, qualifying 18th out of a strong field of 112 players. In Friday’s matches, Glenn won his morning round but was knocked out in a tightly contested afternoon match. He returned the following day, once again winning his morning game but unfortunately lossing his afternoon game.
Adding to his achievements, Glenn has also been selected for the Auckland Junior Inter-Provincial Team, set to compete in Cambridge from 30 September to 4 October. This is a fantastic accomplishment, and we wish him all the best for the upcoming tournament! |
Pakuranga Junior Athletics Have-a-Go MorningWith summer just around the corner, the junior athletics programme at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga is gearing up for a new season. Open to children aged 2-14, the programme caters to all abilities, offering a fun, supportive environment focused on participation, fitness, and getting kids active. Coaching is available across a variety of athletic disciplines, whether for competition or improving team sports skills. Sessions run every Wednesday evening during Term 4 and Term 1.
Howick College families are warmly invited to the Junior Athletics Have-a-Go Morning on Saturday 12 October. While this programme is for ages 7-14, older teens are welcome to join in or enquire about the Senior Track and Field programme for ages 14 and over.  Follow Sport @ Howick College
For sports draws, results and the latest sports news, follow Howick College Sports on Facebook and Instagram or visit the Sports page on the Howick College website by clicking on the icons below.
HEALTH CENTREMobile Dentist On Site HOWICK COLLEGE LIBRARY BOOK OF THE WEEKWhen God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman | | When God was a Rabbit is the debut young adult novel by Sarah Winman. Published in 2011, it tells the story of a single family across four decades and the strange and wonderful events which shape them. Winman is an international bestselling author, and When God was a Rabbit received numerous awards including the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival First Book Award and the 2011 Galaxy National Book Award for Galaxy New Writer of the Year.
This novel follows the life of Eleanor Maud Portman, Elly, from childhood to adulthood, and chronicles her relationship with her brother Joe, as well as other important characters in her life. Spanning the late 1960s through the 1970s in England to the early 2000s in New York, the first-person narrative depicts the turbulent and fictitious life of Elly against the backdrop of political and cultural history. It is a story about childhood and growing up, loss of innocence, eccentricity, familial ties and friendships, love and life. Stripped down to its bare bones, it’s about the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.
(For those intrigued by the title, God is the name Elly gives the pet rabbit Joe gifts her after a difficult time in her life) |
COMMUNITY NOTICESDove Hospice Volunteer Opportunity | | Students aged 16 and over are invited to volunteer at Dove Hospice's new shop in Glendowie (166 Apirana Road) on Saturdays. Volunteers can choose 3-hour shifts, between either 10:00am-1:00pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Dove Hospice is currently experiencing a shortage of volunteers on Saturdays and relies on the support of volunteers to assist staff with the smooth running of the shop. This opportunity not only helps a very worthy community cause but also allows students to develop valuable skills and gain experience.
For those completing community service projects like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, this is an ideal chance to fulfil hours early. Dove Hospice asks for a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week, and regular volunteers will receive a certificate acknowledging their service - a great addition to any CV!
Email [email protected] or call 09 527 5064 |
Pohutukawa Coast Arts Hub Holiday WorkshopsLooking for fun, creative activities during the holidays? The Pohutukawa Coast Arts Hub School Holiday Workshops are now available to book online! Explore your artistic side with a variety of exciting and engaging workshops. The Online Safety Workshop (8-13years) and the Group Songwriting and Non-Technical Musical Production Workshop (13-18 years) are particularly suited to older students.
Spaces are limited, so click here to book your spot today!
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