Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College,
 Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori has been celebrated in Aotearoa since 1975. This week highlights the importance of te reo Māori, ensuring its future as a vibrant and living language.
In the mid-20th century, concerns grew that te reo Māori was fading away, exacerbated by the mass urbanisation of Māori in the 1950s and the punishment of children for speaking te reo at school. A Waitangi Tribunal claim in 1985 addressed these issues, leading to significant changes, including the recognition of te reo Māori as an official language of New Zealand in 1987. The Welsh language has faced similar challenges.
My mother is Welsh, with her family’s roots in Wales going back centuries. My grandmother often spoke of growing up in Wales and how being Welsh was frowned upon. Wales, annexed by England in the 13th century and officially incorporated into the English kingdom by Henry VIII in the 16th century, experienced significant suppression of its language. The Celtic name for my grandmother’s homeland, Cymru, means “friends of countrymen,” while the name Wales derives from an Anglo-Saxon term meaning “outsiders.” Speaking Welsh was actively discouraged, with children subjected to corporal punishment from their teachers based on a government report condemning the “evil Welsh language” as a barrier to progress.
Today, Wales has undergone a cultural renaissance. Welsh is now compulsory in schools and is treated equally with English, as reflected in bilingual street signs, media, and recent requirements for government jobs.
 Te Kara o te Rangatiratanga flies proudly over Howick College. My grandmother would be delighted with the progress in Wales and would likely sympathise with Māori as they navigate current debates about the promotion of te reo. I am continually inspired by the almost defiant use of te reo Māori in English-language text and television, and by the growing number of both Māori and non-Māori enrolling in te reo lessons. The resilience of both peoples has driven much of this progress, though their histories are marked by hard-won gains and the lingering pain of past struggles. |
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Have a great weekend.
Dale Burden
Principal/Tumuaki | | Thursday 26 September
Howick College Fashion Show
Friday 27 September
Term 3 Ends
Battle of the Bands
Monday 14 October
Term 4 Begins
Friday 18 - Saturday 19 October
50th Jubilee Celebrations
Tuesday 22 October
End of Year Music Concert
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
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LOOKING BACK
1990 - First Māori Cultural Group Formed Founding members of the Maori Culture Group perform at the 1990 Charity Concert During Māori Language Week, as we reflect on the progress of te reo Māori and te Ao Māori at Howick College over the past fifty years, it is inspiring to remember the early efforts and commitment of those who laid the first foundations. Three decades ago, the journey to revitalise Māori culture was just beginning. The following extract from our 1990 Howick College yearbook, written by students Heather Frankland and Lisa Hill, captures the pioneering spirit and determination that established our first-ever Māori Culture Group:
"As the second term began, a Māori Culture Group was formed by students at Howick College. Due to the limited knowledge of Māori customs, history, and language within the school, students initially had difficulty finding suitable material. However, with the special help and guidance of Taini Drummond, the Howick College Māori Club is certainly well on its way.
The enthusiastic students [James Brown, Matthew Campbell, Amanda Cossey, Kate Hattaway, Sheridan Hattaway, Te Rangi-Marie Hawkins-Whiteside, Lisa Hill, Fiona McDonald, Jada Tait Jamieson, Jessica Ngatai, Stephanie Robb, Lisa Scrimigeour, Melanie Sims, Portia Taupaki, Claudia Vasquez] and teachers [Assistant Principal Ms Evans, Mrs Thomas, and Mrs Cubitt] involved have shown that Howick College is proud to both have and be part of a Māori cultural group.
However, we still need members. Students who wish to join need to show commitment and understand that waiata, haka, or poi movements are not learned in an hour. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve the full potential of a waiata. Therefore, it is important to learn the basics, such as obeying simple Māori commands, and to understand the meaning of the songs. Having some background knowledge of a waiata is essential. With Taini's help, the Howick College Māori Club is set to succeed!
So, kia kaha, arohanui e Taini, ngā mahita, ngā rangatahi tō māua e kura, from Heather and Lisa." OUR 50TH JUBILEE IS ALMOST HERE! With just one 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
IMMERSIVE MEDIA STUDIES EXPERIENCE  Mrs Fa'amelepe with our Media Studies students at AUT
Last Thursday, a group of ten Howick College Media Studies and Sports Media students visited AUT’s School of Communication Studies (Te Kura Whakapāho) for an immersive experience. They had the exciting opportunity to fully engage with the media production process by crewing an episode of Sideline TV, a project developed by AUT’s second-year TVSP students, featuring former Howick College student and kayaker, Seb Judd.
Our students took on a range of roles, from Director and Director’s Assistant to Media Operator and Vision Mixer. The AUT team was thoroughly impressed by their willingness to engage, experiment, and embrace creativity, as well as their politeness, respect, and eagerness to learn.
We are incredibly proud of our students for exemplifying our 4C values and making the most of this unique opportunity. Huge thanks to Mellissa Gould, Head of the AUT Communications Faculty, and the Communications team for providing this enjoyable and enriching experience. Special thanks also to our Head of Careers, Mrs Paula Fa'amalepe, and TiC of Media Studies, Mr Ben Uy, for their support in organising this event.
BOOK & RESOURCE RETURN DAYSAs we approach the end of Term 3, students and parents are reminded to return all school-issued resources, text books and library books. To address past issues with unreturned items and the additional costs associated with their replacement, dedicated book and resource return days are scheduled for Monday 23 September, and Tuesday 24 September, following practice exams. Details are as follows:
- Senior students must return all resources to their classroom teacher or the library on these days.
- Texts needed for exam preparation may be re-borrowed.
- Students returning in 2025 can borrow books from the Library in term 4
- Students who do not return their books/resources on the designated days will receive invoices for the cost of unreturned items at the beginning of Term 4, starting 14th October. The final return date for seniors is 25th October.
- Year 13 students who do not return their resources by the final deadline will not receive their RIA (Record of Achievement) and will not be able to attend the Year 13 Graduation Ceremony.
We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring all resources are returned promptly. NO FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES AT SCHOOLRecently, we have observed a significant increase in Uber Eats and other food delivery services arriving at school. This trend has led to more cars entering our school grounds and, more concerningly, unknown adults coming onto the premises to meet students. This not only poses potential risks to our students' safety but also disrupts the school day and can lead to increased littering and food waste on school property.
To ensure the safety and security of our school environment and to keep the school day running smoothly, food deliveries are not permitted at school. Any food that is delivered to school via a delivery service will be held at the student office and returned to students at the end of the day.
We remind students and caregivers that a variety of tasty and nutritious food is available at the school canteen, which is open during interval and lunchtime.
Thank you for your cooperation. We appreciate your understanding and support in maintaining a safe and orderly environment for all students.
HOWICK COLLEGE BATTLE OF THE BANDS Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Inter-House Battle of the Bands! Our talented house bands have been rehearsing tirelessly to deliver the most entertaining event of the year. Come along to the Bill Dimery Performing Arts Centre on Friday, 27 September at 6:00pm to support our musicians and enjoy a night filled with incredible performances! 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. Premier Netballers Selected for NZSS Squad From left: Skylah Tainui-Takere, Charlie Lindsay, Zermahnia Manu, Avah Sila. We are thrilled to announce that four of our incredibly talented netball players - Avah Sila, Charlie Lindsay, Skylah Tainui-Takere, and Zermahnia Manu - have been selected for the 2024 New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) Squad. Out of a nationwide selection of 24 players, having four representatives from Howick College underscores not only the calibre of our students, but the strength and quality of our netball programme. These players were chosen after a rigorous process, including performances at National Development Camps, the NNZ U18 Championships, and regional secondary school competitions.
The squad will come together for a four-day camp from October 25-28, where they will compete for spots in the NZSS Team and NZSS A Team. Congratulations to our Howick College netball stars for this impressive achievement!
Judo Success Left: Jacob Jones (in white) and Conrad Hynes Right: Conrad wins Gold in the Jnr and Snr Men's Under 66kg categories. Over the weekend, two Howick College students represented the Auckland University Judo Club at the North Island Judo Championships held at Avondale College.
Jacob Jones made his competition debut in the Junior Men's Under 81kg category, putting in a strong performance despite being the newest competitor in his division. Meanwhile, Conrad Hynes continued his winning streak, securing gold medals in both the Junior Men and Senior Men Under 66kg categories, maintaining his number one national ranking. He also earned a silver medal in the Junior Men's Open category, only narrowly losing to an opponent from a higher weight class.
We wish Jacob and Conrad the best of luck as they continue their judo journey, competing in the National Championships at the end of the school holidays.
Representative Rugby PlayersCongratulations to the following Howick College Rugby players who have completed their secondary school season and are now entering the representative season: Auckland Rugby South East U16 Girls
Ruby Holloway, Maddison- Rose Motuliki, Bailey Thompson, Chiara Premat, Jireh Fiu Palagi, Dejah Vaitai, and Mei Shinozaki
Auckland Rugby South East U18 Girls
Chrissy- Jon Leaoasavaii, Joy Fiu, Malena Lavea
Keana Farani, Rochelle Christie, Jaedah Hansen, and Yuna Fukuie
Auckland Rugby Thunder Women's Team
Marica Tukana and Maira Maivalenisau
| | Auckland Rugby Storm Women's Team
Levonah Motuliki (also named Auckland Rugby Women's Rookie of the Year)
Counties Manukau Rugby Heat Women's Team
Ffion Penney
Auckland Rugby U18 Divisional Team
Hendrix Tusa and Ryan Fowler
Auckland Rugby South East U16s Boys
Rianco Haggard
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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 CENTREAsthma Nurse Educator VisitThe Asthma Nurse Educator’s termly visit will take place on Wednesday 25 September. Her role is to assist students and families to increase their understanding of asthma and its management, and provide information on:
• symptoms
• trigger factors
• devices used to deliver medications
• combining sport with asthma
• emergency management
• Asthma Action Plans
If you feel that your child would benefit from this service, please contact the school nurse, Claudia Naidoo on 5344492 Ext 961 or email [email protected] to book an appointment. HOWICK COLLEGE LIBRARY BOOK OF THE WEEK | | 17 Years Later by J.P. PomareThe violent slaughter of the Primrose family while they slept shocked the nation. The family's young live-in chef, Bill Kareama, was swiftly charged with murder and brought to justice. But the brutal crime scarred the idyllic town of Cambridge forever. Seventeen years later, true-crime podcaster Sloane Abbott tracks down prison psychologist TK Phillips. Once a fierce campaigner for an appeal, TK now lives a quiet life with Bill's case firmly in his past. As Sloane lures a reluctant TK back into the fight, evidence emerges that casts new light on the Primroses - and who might have wanted them dead. While the list of suspects grows, Bill's innocence is still far from assured. What will it cost Sloane and TK to uncover the truth?
J.P. Pomare is the bestselling author of seven novels, most recently 17 Years Later. Several of J.P.'s novels have optioned for film and TV.
J.P. is a proud Māori (Ngāpuhi). He grew up in Aotearoa but currently resides with his family in Melbourne. |
COMMUNITY NOTICES | | HYC Visual Arts ShowcaseFrom Friday 13th September to Saturday 5th October, the Howick Youth Council Visual Arts Showcase will be open view in the Malcom Art Gallery at Uxbridge Arts and Culture. The exhibition gives our local young artists the opportunity to display their work in a professional setting.
Work from 14 of our own talented year 10-13 art students will also feature in the exhibition, so come along and experience the diverse range of artwork created by our students. There’s also a great café on site for refreshments! |
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