Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College,
It is always a pleasure to connect with parents and members of our community and chat about Howick College, our values, achievements, and ongoing improvements as we work together to navigate the exciting next stage of our school's development. During a recent conversation, we touched on the subject of our Arts programme and it was heartening to hear how much parents appreciate the breadth and depth of what we offer.
We reflected on the vital role these programs play for many of our students, serving as a significant aspect of their educational journey by fostering a sense of belonging and contributing substantially to their overall enjoyment of school. It's incredible to think that in New Zealand, there was a time when what we at Howick College term the Expressive Arts were not part of the educational landscape. However, in my lifetime alone, we've made tremendous strides in offering a curriculum that is relevant and engaging for the vast majority of our students.
The outdated hierarchy of subjects, that prepared students for the industrial era of the nineteenth century, where Arts were given no standing, is thankfully no longer part of modern educational thinking. Nevertheless, it surprises me that there are still a few schools in our country not offering Dance and Drama as formal academic subjects, even though these disciplines, just like Music and Visual Art, are as important as English and Maths.
While school attendance is undeniably vital, the level of student engagement is equally significant. Our Arts programs play a crucial role in fostering such engagement among our students. Elliot Seif, a former Professor of Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, perfectly sums it up in his article titled 'Ten Reasons Why Strong Arts Programs Are Critical for Living in Today's and Tomorrow's World.' He states that the 'arts programs can make a big difference in the life of every child, and every student should have the opportunity to participate in a strong, multidimensional arts programs throughout their educational experience. The arts can have a powerful impact on children's lives. What it takes is a commitment, support, and understanding by schools to ensure that the arts are a significant and meaningful part of every school program."
Stepping into our college's art rooms, dance studios, music spaces, and drama areas (which I do quite frequently), I know that we have something truly special. At Howick College, the Expressive Arts are not just another aspect of the curriculum, but the very soul of our school.
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Have a great weekend!
Dale Burden
Principal/Tumuaki
| | Friday 12 April
Term 1 Ends
Thursday 25 April
ANZAC Day (public holiday)
Monday 29 April
Term 2 Begins
Tuesday 7 May
Parent Interviews (4:00 - 7:00pm)
School will close at 1:40pm
Thursday 9 May
Po Fiafia Evening
Monday 13 May
Paid Union Meeting.
School will close at 12:00pm. More details to follow soon.
Wednesday 15 May
Parent Interviews (4:00 - 7:00pm)
School will close at 1:40pm
Friday 17 May
Pink Shirt Day
Saturday 18 May
Senior School Ball
Friday 31 May
Teacher Only Day
Uxbridge Fridays@12 Concert
2023 Yearbook Update
We are pleased to advise all those who have purchased a 2023 yearbook that it is now available to collect from the Student Office.
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Uniform Reminder
As the days shorten and become a little chillier, we would like to remind students and caregivers that there are a number of warmer uniform options that students can choose from if they are feeling the cold. These include the following Howick College regulation items:
- Black waterproof jacket with crest
- Black V-necked jersey with crest
- Charcoal/white pinstripe ankle-length skirt
- Charcoal/white pinstripe trousers
- Black/red Howick College scarf
- Those wearing the knee-length skirt may also choose to wear black opaque stockings
- Singlets ONLY may be worn under the uniform shirt but must not be visible
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PLEASE NOTE: Beanies, tee-shirts and thermals (short or long sleeved), hoodies, sweatshirts and any other non-regulation items are NOT permitted and will be confiscated as outlined in our Uniform Process. UN Aotearoa Youth Declaration Conference | | Congratulations to MacDonald House student Eva Malez Ocampos (Yr 11) on her selection for the 2024 Aotearoa Youth Declaration Conference. This highly prestigious event, allows students from across the country the opportunity to contribute to discussions on New Zealand public policy and interact with esteemed industry guests. Aotearoa Youth Declaration provides education on civics engagement which instils skills of critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, and technical writing, among many others.
Held at the University of Auckland from April 11th-14th, students attending the conference will have their ideas compiled into a document that will be distributed among key decision makers from the government to local councils and everywhere in between. Well done Eva, we are so proud that you are speaking up for what you believe in and representing the youth of Aotearoa! |
2024 Howick Fun Walk & Run Members of the Howick Community Council help ensure annual community event is a success. The annual Howick Fun Walk and Run, hosted by the Rotary Club of Howick, is a cornerstone event in our local community's calendar. Held on Sunday, 24th March, it combines fitness, an appreciation for our local scenery and history, and a charitable spirit. All proceeds from this year's run will go to the Howick Coastguard organisation to enable them to purchase much-needed safety equipment so they can continue to provide their vital service.
Playing a significant part in the smooth operation of this popular event were 13 members of the Howick College Community Council. Stationed strategically to assist runners in navigating the course, these dedicated volunteers embody the values of service. We would like to thank and acknowledge the following students for their active community involvement: Dylan Owen, Harnain Dhaliwal, Kate Donnell, Chloe Ronberg, Jensen Trillo, Maddie Kirby, Zoe Pan, Sukhsehaj Singh, Sabriya Sahib, Tiffany Su, Olivia Gu, Milyna Lin, and Lenoli Kuruduhewage.
Life Long Learning at Howick College
Front: Mrs Janice Wright, Mrs Rebecca Roberts, Ms Sharon King. Back: Mrs Geraldine Jamieson, Mrs Baljeet Saini, Ms Lynda Bowers and Ms Anna Marsick.
Twenty-six enthusiastic teachers and support staff, twenty batches of dough, and seven delectable products - the recent bread making workshop proved to be a delightful experience for all involved. Participants thoroughly enjoyed honing their culinary skills, learning some new techniques, and relishing the pleasure of being students once again. The event was not only educational but also provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues and partners, all while creating an array of delicious baked delights.
HoD of Hospitality, Mrs Rebecca Roberts, led the fully subscribed class with enthusiasm and expertise, and was highly impressed by the tenacity and talent displayed by the participants. The success of this workshop has spurred plans for another in Term 2, this time focusing on pastry, with hopes for yet another session in Term 3. These workshops are not just about baking; they are about fostering camaraderie, sharing knowledge, and enjoying the art of cooking together.
Howick College Book of the Week
This is the Way the World Ends by Jen Wilde
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As an autistic scholarship student at the prestigious Webber Academy in New York City, Waverly is used to masking to fit in - in more ways than one. While her classmates are the children of the one percent, Waverly is getting by on tutoring gigs and the generosity of the school's charming dean. So, when her tutoring student and resident 'it girl' asks Waverly to attend the school's annual Masquerade disguised as her, Waverly jumps at the chance - especially once she finds out that Ash, the dean's daughter and her secret ex-girlfriend, will be there. The Masquerade is everything Waverly dreamed of, complete with extravagant gowns, wealthy parents writing checks, and flowing champagne. Most importantly, there's Ash. All Waverly wants to do is shed her mask and be with her, but the evening takes a sinister turn when Waverly stumbles into a secret meeting between the dean and the school's top donors - and witnesses a brutal murder. Waverly's fairy-tale has turned into a nightmare, and she, Ash, and her friends must navigate through a dizzying maze of freight elevators and secret passageways if they're going to survive the night.
This is a mystery / thriller novel, suitable for students in Yr 10 and above.
Come and borrow it from L6
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Study Centre - Tutors Now Available
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Where: A4
When: Every lunch time
What: A quiet place to work independently or with a tutor
Tutors can now be booked using the Study Centre button on the school website. Students MUST use their school email when making a booking. Students who just want a quiet place to study are also welcome to come along during lunch times.
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Careers Department
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ETCO (Electrical Training Company) Open Day
Thinking of a career in the electrical industry? Then come along to the ETCO Auckland Open Day and find out more about what a day in the life of an electrician is like.
When: Wednesday 24 April, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: 24A Allright Place, Mt Wellington
Upcoming University Visits
Bond University
When: Monday 8 April, 11.10am (interval)
Where: H3
AUT
When: Tuesday 9 April, 1.40pm (lunch)
Where: Theatre
Massey University
When: Thursday 11 April, 1.40pm (lunch)
Where: H3
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Sports News
Auckland Secondary Schools Athletics ChampsCongratulations to our Howick College Athletics team on another outstanding performance at the recent Auckland Secondary Schools Championships! Our national hurdles champion, Rianco Haggard, continued to lead from the front winning both the 100m and 300m hurdles. On top of this, he also broke the Auckland 100m hurdles record which has stood since 1999! Other standout results included Avah Sila winning both the 100m hurdles and senior girls high jump, Riley Couillault taking 2nd place in the high jump, Ewald Englebrecht placing 2nd in the senior boys javelin and the Senior Girls Relay team placing 3rd in their competition.
This event covers schools from Orewa to Waiuku, and Howick College athletes can be extremely proud of their results. Congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and dedication! | |  Rianco Haggard claims the top spot on the podium. |
Full Team Results
- Dejah Vaitai 7th place - Junior Girls 100m Final
- Hazel McGhie 8th place - Junior Girls 300m Final
- Danielle Ready 8th place - Junior Girls Discus
- Maddie Bailey 6th place - Intermediate Girls 80m Hurdles
- Avah Sila 1st place - Senior Girls 100m Hurdles
- Avah Sila 1st place - Senior Girls High Jump
- Riley Couillault 2nd place - Senior Girls High Jump
- Avah Sila, Unuhia Crosby-Te Whare, Uaina Lefau, Charlie Lindsay 3rd place- Senior Girls 4 x 100m Relay
- Caleb Anderson-Rowe 11th place - Junior Boys High Jump
- Ceejay Harmse 8th place - Junior Boys Shot Put
- Rianco Haggard 1st place and new Auckland Champs record - Intermediate Boys 100m Hurdles
- Rianco Haggard 1st place - Intermediate Boys 300m Hurdles
- Mason Bray 9th place - Intermediate Boys High Jump
- Ewald Englebrecht 2nd place - Senior Boys Javelin
- Jacques Uys 6th place - Senior Boys Discus
We wish Rianco and Ewald the very best of luck as they head off to compete in the North Island Champioships in Palmerston North this weekend.
Double Medal Haul for Touch Rugby PlayerCongratulations to Hendrix Tusa (Year 12) for his exceptional achievements in touch rugby this year! Earlier this term he was selected for the U18 Men's Touch team, that won the gold medal at the National Touch Tournament held in February.
Following on from this success, Hendrix was chosen to represent Auckland in the Open Mixed Touch Team to compete at the Bunnings NZSS National Touch Championship held in Rotorua last month. Hendrix and his team performed extremely well, this time bringing home the silver medal. | |  |
Promising Season AheadIt's shaping up to be a great season for our girls' football, and our boys' and girls' 1st XI hockey teams if their preseason games are any indication. Our girls' football team has had three wins so far: 7-0 against Pakuranga College, 2-1 against Macleans College, and 6-0 against Green Bay. Meanwhile, our boys' and girls' 1st XI hockey teams participated in a preseason tournament at Macleans College. Congratulations to our boys on their 2-1 victory against St Peter’s College and their 1-0 win against Selwyn College. Although they took a 2-1 loss against Macleans College, it was a commendable effort, especially considering Macleans beat us by double digits last year! Well done to Ms Sophie Richards and our new girls' coach, Olivia Colenso, for a great start to the season.
Upcoming Preseason GamesSaturday 6 April
Boys 1st XV Rugby vs Auckland U16 Maori at Howick College at 11:00am.
The boys have enjoyed a rugby camp, two preseason games against Pukekohe High and Takapuna Boys and were also fantastic hosts to our visiting Japanese High School.
Monday 8 April
Girls Rugby 1st XV vs Tangaroa College at 4:15pm
Sunday 14 April
Rugby vs NSW State Combined High Schools teams
vs 1st XV Boys team
vs Rugby 7s Girls x 2 teams
These games will be held at Howick College. Start times TBA
Sunday 28 April
Netball Preseason tournament at Auckland Netball Centre.
Prem 1, Prem 2, 10A and 9A will be playing. Start times TBA.
Sports Notices
Coaches, Managers, Organizers & Drivers Urgently Needed
This year, we are very excited to announce that we have more students than ever signing up to play winter sports, including netball, football, hockey, basketball, and rugby. In order to provide a quality experience for all these enthusiastic young players, we need your help! If you can offer your knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm and would like to become a part of TEAM RED, our Sports Department would love to hear from you! To find out more about how you can help, please email [email protected].
NISSA Dressage ChampionshipsAny students interested in competing in the NISS Dressage Championships at St Peter's College in Cambridge on May 5th should see Ms Hartley in the PE for entry information by April 11th.
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 Centre News
Dental Planet Onsite During School Holidays
The mobile dental van provides free dental care for NZ residents under 18 years of age. Students in years 9-13 can be enrolled for their free check up and treatment from Monday 15 April - Friday 3 May by clicking the link below and following the prompts.
https://analytics-au.clickdimensions.com/cn/avjqi/onlineenrolment
If you can’t access the link, call Dental Planet on 0800 262 2022, or email [email protected]
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