Onehunga High School News
 

Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Onehunga High School

Last weekend, we had the privilege of holding our annual Fia Fia Day — a full day dedicated to celebrating culture, performance, and community. Our Polyfest groups performed throughout the day, showcasing the pride they have in their cultural identities and the dedication they have shown over many weeks of preparation. It was a vibrant, joyful event, made even more special by the support of our wider school community, who came together to enjoy the performances and support fundraising efforts through food stalls and activities.
 
The standard of the performances was outstanding. It was clear how much hard work had gone into every routine, and how proud our students were to stand on stage and share their culture. We are incredibly grateful to the many tutors, teachers, and whānau who have given countless hours to support the students — from rehearsals to costume preparation, right through to the organisation of the day itself. Your commitment has been invaluable.
 
We now look forward to seeing our groups take the stage at Polyfest this weekend and wish them all the very best for their performances.
 
In addition to cultural celebrations, this term has also been an excellent one for sport at Onehunga High School. Across a range of competitions, our students and teams have delivered impressive results. Several of our teams have competed at the premier level, others have completed their seasons undefeated, and some are competing for promotion to higher grades. Our students’ sporting success has not been limited to school competitions — many are proudly representing Auckland and New Zealand across various codes.
 
These achievements reflect not only the talent and determination of our students but also the strength of the community that supports them. We are fortunate to have a committed network of coaches, managers, whānau, and supporters who invest significant time and energy to help our students succeed.
 
As the term draws to a close, it is encouraging to reflect on the many ways our students continue to strive, perform, and represent our school and community with pride.

Have a great weekend

Ngā mihi 

Shameen Hayat
PRINCIPAL

 
 
 

Upcoming Key dates 

  • 2-5 April Polyfest 
  • 11 April - Last Day of Term 1
  • 9-23 April - China Trip
  • 28 April - Term 2 Begins
  • 6 & 7 May - Subject Teacher & Parent Interviews 2.00pm to 7.00pm (the school day will end at 1.30pm on these days)
  • 16 May - Pink Shirt Day
 
 

CONGRATULATIONS, SERVICE COUNCIL!

A fantastic celebration organised for Relay 4 Life, by the Service Council today to raise funds for the Cancer Society.

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Fia Fia Day: A Celebration of Culture and Community.

It was a huge undertaking to host the more than a thousand people who came to support Fia Fia Day on Saturday.

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OHS Basketball In Great Shape.

For the first time, OHS entered both our senior boys' and girls' teams into the regional 3x3 tournament in the Premier grade, competing against the best teams in Auckland.

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Junior Debating Teams Off To A Great Start!

The Year 9 and Year 10 debating teams started the year with wins!

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Oscar Kightley Visits OHS.

Senior Drama students were extremely fortunate to have the celebrated Oscar Kightley visit OHS today.

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Triple Triumph! OHS Athletes Selected to Represent Auckland

Congratulations to Lisa Hellyer, Sarah Hellyer and Jaden Clark on their selection to the Auckland team for the North Island Secondary School Athletics Championships.

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Enviroclub Launches Eco-Friendly Gardens

The Enviroclub has thoughtfully planned every aspect of the eco-friendly gardens now taking root at OHS.

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🌟SHOOTING STAR WEEK 8 - LISA HELLYER Y12

Lisa Hellyer is the embodiment of excellence in all aspects of school life.

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🌟 SHOOTING STAR AWARD WEEK 9 - ETUINI LALAKAI Y13

Etuini is a remarkable Year 13 student whose dedication, kindness, and leadership have made him a respected OHS role model.

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First Foundation Awards Evening- 2025

The First Foundation Awards evening is always a very special one.

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Jane To Dance in International Competition!

Jane Deacon and her dance crew will perform at the World Dance Crew Championships.

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Junior Boys Cricket Unbeaten!

Last Saturday, the Junior Boys Cricket team won their final game of the season to confirm themselves as College Sport T20 B grade champions.

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Board of Trustees - Property Update


A key oversight for The Board of Trustees is the implementation of our Strategic Direction, and a vital aspect underpinning the achievement of all the goals we are working towards is the school property.

We understand a modern, welcoming campus and facilities that are fit for purpose, are crucial for student wellbeing, their pride and connection to the school and encouraging engagement with the community. Of course, it also plays a large part in supporting academic success, providing our students with an appropriate, comfortable and safe environment to achieve their potential and enabling our staff to focus their attention on providing the best teaching and resources. We have committed to high aspirations for all our students and teachers, we must have the same objective for the school property too.

As well as commissioning the property master plan, which encompasses the long-term vision for the school and will help inform our short- and medium-term priorities, we are working with the Ministry of Education on a comprehensive refurbishment of ABC block (the older block in the middle of the school). We consider this work essential and urgent, however, the current climate at the Ministry of Education and the Board property committee are in constant communication and negotiations with our Ministry asset managers. We hope we will be able to start this crucial water tightening and external renovation work on ABC block later this year, but The Board have agreed that there are further essential works, so we agreed on several priority projects that will be funded by the Board.

The temperature issues in TKW block are being resolved with the installation of heat pump units, which is already underway and will ensure that all areas of TKW are useable and comfortable environments for our students and teachers. We agree that the issues with the toilet facilities in the school need to be addressed so we will be renovating and reconfiguring all the toilet blocks in the ABC building at the same time as the water tightening work. This will provide an increase in facilities as well as securing, modernising and updating. We have also signed off on refitting and upgrading the inside of the ABC block and investigating climate control options for this building.

Another focus is student areas and movement around the school, so The Board has signed off on funding building work to include increasing and renovating covered walkways around the school and major works to reconfigure the courtyard between the administration building and ABC block to include a lot more shaded and covered seating.

You may have noticed that over the past few years, our library facilities have not reflected the high standards we strive for as a school. This has been a concern for the Board, particularly in relation to our commitment to supporting every student to achieve their academic potential. We’re excited to share that a significant donation to support the redevelopment of our library is currently in the pipeline. While the details are still being finalised, this represents a promising opportunity to create a space that better supports learning and achievement. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

We wish all our students a good break after what has been a long term, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to our rapidly evolving school campus next term.  


Sports News

Our teams showed great determination and school spirit throughout the Summer Tournament Week, proudly representing Onehunga High School on regional and national stages. Across a range of sports, students embraced the challenge, competed hard, and supported one another.

Thank you to all players, coaches, and supporters for your effort and commitment.

Summer Tournament Results: 

  • Junior Boys Futsal: Northern Regional Cup - 4th
  • Senior Boys Futsal: Northern Regional Cup – 9th
  • Senior Girls Futsal: NZSS National Championships – 15th
  • Senior Boys Volleyball: NZSS National Championships – 7th Division 7
  • Senior Girls Volleyball: NZSS National Championships – 15th Division 2
  • Senior B Girls Volleyball: NISS Satellite Tournament – 22nd
  • Senior Boys 3 x 3 Basketball: National Qualifiers Zone 1 Premier – 14th
  • Senior Girls 3 x 3 Basketball: National Qualifiers Zone 1 Premier – 7th

 
Also to note, the Massey High School Senior sports exchange which was scheduled for Tuesday 8th April has now been postponed to a later date.

Careers 

The Careers Centre hosted ‘Tertiary Scholarships’ workshops this week, with a great turnout of students keen to explore scholarship opportunities. As scholarships are competitive and have strict eligibility criteria, our students not only learnt about scholarships they could apply for but received tips on crafting a strong application. 

For our junior students, it’s never too early to start preparing! Focus on achieving great academic results, getting involved in a range of extracurricular activities, and taking on leadership roles. Scholarships often go to students who not only excel academically, but also contribute to their communities. Many scholarships support students from underrepresented groups or those facing financial challenges or hardship, helping them pursue tertiary education. For more information and a full list of available scholarships, visit the 'Funding Study & Scholarships' tab on the OHS Careers website.

ohs.careerwise.school

 

ADULT LEARNING CENTRE

We are currently entering the last week of classes at the Adult Learning Centre for Term 1. It has been a busy term with over 500 students taking part in one of the many classes we have to offer. Some students have been engaged in a range of hands-on activities such as painting, woodwork, welding, upholstery, sewing and cake decorating. Others have been learning a new language such as Samoan, Te Reo and Japanese. We also continue to offer both day and nighttime English classes for migrants, allowing them to integrate into society more quickly.

We are looking forward to Term 2, where classes will start in the week beginning 28th April. Please note this is earlier than usual due to a slightly shorter Term 2. We are particularly excited to announce that we are partnering with Chris Mitchell, an experienced woodwork tutor, to offer a four-part Saturday workshop where students can explore the ancient Japanese woodworking technique of Kumiko.

See the flyer below for more details and explore www.adultlearn.co.nz to browse our other courses.


School TV - Parent Resource

SPECIAL REPORT: Healthy Study Habits

Although we all want our children to succeed academically, the foundation for that success lies not just in intelligence or motivation, but in the study habits they develop. Healthy study habits are essential for children to learn effectively, manage stress, and ultimately achieve their academic potential. Yet, in an age where distractions are plentiful and the pressure to perform is immense, it's more important than ever for us, as parents and caregivers, to guide our children in cultivating these habits.
 
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that good study habits aren't just about spending more time hitting the books. It's about quality over quantity. Encouraging your child to have a dedicated study space, free from distractions is the first step. Instilling the importance of a routine cannot be overstated. Regular study times help create a sense of normalcy and discipline, making studying a part of their daily life rather than a chore.
 
Additionally, the way students approach their study sessions is just as important. Periodic breaks are vital in this process. Encourage your child to review their notes regularly rather than cramming before exams-this reinforces learning and reduces last-minute stress.
 
Finally, balance is key. While academics are important, so too is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adequate sleep, a nutritious diet, and regular physical activity are non-negotiable aspects of a student's life that directly influence their ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy study habits is one of the greatest gifts we can give children, setting them up for a lifetime of learning and success.

https://ohs.nz.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-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

 
 
 


Read more on our website