Term 2, Week 3, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College, The Phones Away for the Day policy continues to go well at our college. While implementing the ban and applying consequences is straightforward — it simply requires consistency from the adults — we are a school, and that means there’s learning involved for our students and wider community. This learning helps support the “why” behind the policy (beyond the fact that it’s the law). Like most things at school these days, if we don’t provide that learning, then who will? In today’s digital age, it is essential for both students and parents to find a healthy balance between screen time and real-life activities, and to maintain a positive relationship with technology. Much of the time spent on screens is driven by the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). We’re encouraging our students to try a few simple strategies to better manage their phone use: Estimate how much time they think they spend on their phone each day, then check their actual usage in settings. Turn off unnecessary notifications. Practise putting their phone down and engaging in other activities. Resist the urge to turn to their phone out of boredom. Macquarie University recently shared advice for parents in The Educator about supporting healthy phone use. Here’s a summary of their key points: 1.Cold Turkey Doesn’t Work – Taking the phone away from a child with an unhealthy relationship with it can lead to conflict. Look for a more constructive approach. 2. Phones Equal Responsibility – Set clear expectations when giving your child their first phone. 3. Stay informed – Know how teens typically behave on social media and have regular conversations with your child about their online activity. 4. Set a Good Example – Model healthy phone use yourself; children often imitate what they see. 5. Not All Bad –  Reassure your child that FOMO is a normal feeling and a common response to social media. 6. Relationships First – Encourage non-screen-based hobbies and face-to-face social interactions. 7. Quality over Quantity – Encourage them to be selective in their online friendships and engage only in groups where they feel supported. 8. Help Set Healthy Goals – Guide your child to identify what matters to them and how to prioritise and balance their goals with screen time. As we encourage our students to find balance and focus in their daily lives, I am constantly amazed by the extraordinary young people at Howick College who are already channeling their energy and creativity into remarkable achievements. Recently, Michael Collins, a Year 9 student, caught my attention with the small business he’s built around 3D printing. He’s a fantastic example of a young person determined to achieve his goals. Be sure to read his story in this week’s newsletter. Have a great weekend. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Monday 19 - Thursday 29 May Numeracy/Literacy Exams Monday 19 - Friday 23 May Inter-House Chess Competition Friday 23 May Pre-Ball Assembly - Tickets Issued Saturday 24 May School Ball  Monday 2 June King's Birthday - Public Holiday Tuesday 10 & Thursday 12 June Y13 Drama presents The Odyssey Wednesday 11 & Friday 13 Y13 Drama presents Yerma Thursday 19 June Midwinter Festival Friday 20 June Matariki - Public Holiday Sunday 22 - Tuesday 24 June Jazz Band & Orchestra Tour Monday 23 June Teacher Only Day Thursday 26 June International Food Festival Non-Uniform Day Friday 27 June Last Day Term 2

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Knowing Whether Your Child Is Well Enough For School

Thank you to all our parents and caregivers who notify us when their child will be absent from school — either by phoning 534 4492 ext. 983 or emailing [email protected].

As we move into the winter season, you may find this guide helpful in deciding whether your child is well enough to attend school: Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school – Health NZ

CELEBRATING SUPPORT STAFF DAY

Friday 16 marked International Support Staff Day, a timely opportunity to recognise the vital contribution of our incredible support team at a special morning tea held in their honour. In a busy and multifaceted school environment, it takes more than teachers to bring our vision of “inspiring a community of passionate learners” to life. From the librarians to IT support, grounds maintenance to teacher aides, our staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to create a safe, inclusive, and well-organised space where students can thrive. Whether they’re the welcoming faces at reception, the caring nurses supporting student wellbeing, or the quiet problem-solvers behind the scenes, these team members are essential to the daily life of our school.

To all our support staff — thank you. Your dedication, warmth, and professionalism make a difference every single day, and we are deeply grateful to have you as part of our community.

MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES

IT Support Team, Mr Jacob Ludlow-Williams and Mr Eddie Cheng

The dedicated service of our support staff often goes unseen, which is why we are proud to continue our Team Behind the Scenes series — highlighting the many essential roles that keep Howick College running smoothly. This week, we shine the spotlight on our IT Support Team.

Based in H Block, the IT Department provides essential support for both staff and students — from helping with access to the school network to resolving minor issues on student BYOD devices. They also run a daily loan system for students needing temporary laptops or chargers when theirs are flat, undergoing repair, or not functioning properly. More complex IT needs are managed in partnership with New Era Technology NZ.

Mr Eddie Cheng is a highly skilled ICT technician who has been part of the Howick College team since 2002. With extensive experience in educational IT, he plays a key role in maintaining the reliability and performance of our digital systems. Mr Cheng's work involves diagnosing and resolving hardware and software issues — from motherboards and memory to network access and application support. His depth of knowledge, calm, friendly manner, and methodical approach help ensure that both staff and students can rely on the technology they use every day.

Mr Jacob Ludlow-Williams is an experienced and knowledgeable technician from New Era Technology who works on site with us two days a week. He plays a major part in supporting the IT infrastructure at Howick College, helping to ensure our digital systems remain reliable, secure, and fit for purpose. He brings extensive expertise in managing and maintaining school-specific IT services including diagnosing and resolving technical issues, supporting both hardware and software systems, and assisting with network security.

Together, they bring technical expertise and a problem-solving mindset to their work, helping to ensure that teaching and learning is well supported in today’s digitally connected environment.

PINK SHIRT DAY 2025

On Friday 16 May, Howick College was awash with every shade of pink as students and staff came together to support Pink Shirt Day and its important message of kindness, inclusivity, and standing up against bullying.

As part of the day’s message of inclusion, members of the Hauora Council (kneeling in front), led by Maddie Averis and Lenoli Kuruduhewage, visited Sommerville Satellite School to involve them in the celebrations. They brought sweets, pink ribbons, and Pink Shirt Day stickers to share with students and staff, who were delighted to be included in the wider Howick College community. Sommerville staff praised the Hauora Council, saying they were genuinely touched by the group’s thoughtfulness and effort.

It was a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact — and that we all have a part to play in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

NCEA LITERACY & NUMERACY EXAMS

All students in Year 10 and seniors without the Literacy and Numeracy NCEA Co-requisites will be sitting the new tests in Weeks 4 and 5 of this term. 

All Year 10 and 11 students in our Numeracy targeted 11MATI and 11MATN classes have been informed. Please support your child by ensuring they know where and when to attend. The Year 10 (and 11MATI and 11MATN ) assessment timetable for Week 4 can be found here.

Senior students who have yet to attempt or achieve the co-requisites, will receive communications next week that include a timetable and information detailing the sessions they must attend in Week 5.

If you would like more information regarding the new tests, please see our website.

PO FIAFIA 2025 - CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

On Tuesday evening, we held our annual Po Fiafia event — a vibrant celebration of the diverse cultures that make up our school community. Performers from our Kapa Haka, Chinese, Cook Island, Indian, Niuean, Tongan, Filipino, and Samoan cultural groups took to the stage with pride, delivering polished performances that honoured their heritage and traditions. Their hard work and commitment were clearly evident and it was a joy to see the various cultures not only showcased but also celebrated and supported by one another.

Our community thoroughly enjoyed each performance, and the atmosphere throughout the night reflected the spirit of inclusivity, respect and connection that Po Fiafia is all about. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave their time, energy, and talent to make this such a successful and memorable event.

YOUNG ENTREPENEUR DREAMS BIG

When most Year 9 students are still finding their feet in high school, Michael Collins is already making impressive strides as a young entrepreneur with a clear sense of purpose. Motivated by a desire to ease financial pressure at home, he began exploring ways to earn his own income. After briefly dabbling in welding—which proved costly and posed safety risks—he turned his attention to a more practical alternative: 3D printing.

After saving up his birthday money to buy a basic 3D printer for $150, Michael began creating toys and accessories that quickly proved popular among his friends and classmates. He reinvested his profits and upgraded to a $700 model, which led to even better results. Supported by his proud grandmother, he is now a regular at the Howick Village Market and the Clevedon Farmers Market, where he sells a range of toys and fun accessories — some, like his rainbow dragon, selling for up to $50 — and is already planning a future venture in food.

His success has not gone unnoticed. Principal Dale Burden was particularly impressed when Michael arrived at school on an electric bike he purchased using his own earnings — an outstanding example of his initiative and work ethic. Michael is currently saving for his next big investment: a $1000 3D printer that will allow him to further improve his craft and expand his product range. A standout student in Enterprise Studies, he’s been described by his teacher, Ms Spiers, as “a great student with a fabulous attitude.”

Outside of business, Michael is equally committed to his long-term dream of becoming a UFC fighter. He trains regularly with the Howick Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club, Wimbledon Muay Thai Club, and the Howick College Judo Club run by Mr Uy — a demanding routine that reflects his dedication and drive.

Despite facing a few challenges, Michael remains focused on his goals. He is not only passionate about his business, but also about helping others and building a better future. When asked what inspired him to launch his business, his response was simply: “To help the world with joy, and also to make a good income.”

Michael’s story is a wonderful example of creativity, determination, and resilience in action — qualities that make him one to watch, both in business and beyond.

PERSONALISED STUDENT ASSESSMENT CALENDAR

We have created a personalised student assessment calendar for Year 11 - !3 students which displays the due dates of Internal Assessments for your child. Students and parents can login to the school Portal, select child (if more than one sibling), click the Assessment Calendar icon which will show the current month and any assessments that are due. To change to a Term view, please click on the Display button, top right of page and all four Terms with assessment due dates are shown. 

Students have been emailed with how to login and see the calendar. Please be aware that some assessment dates may vary as learning programmes develop in response to student needs.  If you have any queries about due dates, please contact the subject teacher. 

SENIOR BALL INFORMATION

BALL TICKETS
We would like to remind all senior students attending the ball next weekend that tickets will be given out on Friday 23 May after the Pre-Ball Assembly at 10:50am in the main gym. Uncollected tickets will be available from the student office until 3:30pm on Friday.

BALL ARRIVAL & PICK-UP
The Ellerslie Event Centre has created a helpful document containing important information about ball arrival and pick-up information which is can be found here.

2025 HEAD STUDENT CONFERENCE

This week, Head Students Yoshini Angaranthan and Nathan Cox, along with Deputy Head Students Callum Edwards and Lucy O'Hanlon, attended the annual Head Students Conference — a day designed to inspire and develop young leaders across Auckland.

Accompanied by emerging leaders Olivia Long and AJ McConnell, our team took part in a series of engaging workshops and activities focused on the theme of effective leadership. The event brought together student leaders from a range of schools, offering a chance to connect, collaborate, and reflect on the values and skills that make great leadership possible.

A highlight of the day was hearing from MP Jenny Salesa, who shared powerful insights into her own leadership journey — from her upbringing to her current role in Parliament. Her message encouraged students to lead with empathy, purpose, and resilience.

Throughout the day, students took part in a variety of team-building activities that challenged their thinking and helped develop practical strategies for leading with confidence and cohesion.

We’re proud of our head students for continuing to grow in their roles and representing Howick College with thoughtfulness and energy. Opportunities like these not only strengthen their own leadership, but also contribute to the strong, connected student culture we value here at Howick College.

CAREERS DEPARTMENT NEWS

Students Explore Gateway Programme Options

This term, seven of our Year 12 students are participating in the New Zealand School of Tourism Gateway Programme, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the tourism and aviation industries — all while working towards their NCEA. Among them are Ruby Page and Brooklyn Wright, who are enrolled in the Flight Attending Gateway Programme. Through this course, they’re learning the ins and outs of the aviation world — from customer service and safety procedures to in-flight operations. Well done to all our participating students for taking this proactive step towards their goals — we can’t wait to see where your journeys take you!

Upcoming Education Provider Visits

Who: Media Design School 
What: Media Design School is New Zealand's most awarded tertiary institution for creative and digital technology qualifications. If you are interested in learning more about what they offer, come along to the Careers Department.
When: Tuesday 20th May, 1.40pm lunchtime.
Where: H3

Who: Unitec  
What: Offering a wide range of work-oriented programmes and short courses that are employment-focused. Unitec will be here to talk to students about life on campus and courses available.
When: Thursday 22nd May, 1.40pm lunchtime.
Where: H3

LEO CLUB CUSHIONS FOR PATIENTS APPEAL

The Howick College LEO Club is continuing its support of Middlemore Hospital by sewing comfort cushions for patients recovering from colorectal surgery. These handmade cushions play an important role in the hospital’s therapy programme and have been deeply appreciated by both staff and patients. To keep this meaningful project going, the LEO Club is asking for donations of fabric and cushion filling. Every contribution helps us make a difference for people in recovery. Donations can be dropped off at the Howick College Student Office. Thank you for your support!

BOOKS FOR STARSHIP CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

The Howick College Academic Council has launched a new initiative to support young patients at Starship Children’s Hospital through the gift of reading. As part of this drive, the Council is collecting new and pre-loved picture books, interactive storybooks, fairy tales, and early learning books in good condition. These donations will be delivered to Starship, where they’ll help bring comfort, entertainment, and a sense of normality to children undergoing treatment. Donations can be dropped off at the Student Office.  Every book makes a difference — thank you for your support!

FRIDAYS@TWELVE MUSIC CONCERT

Join us on Friday, 30 May at 12 noon for a vibrant celebration of music as Howick College takes the stage at the Uxbridge Fridays at Twelve concert. This special concert will showcase the talents of our Jazz Band, String Orchestra, and Choir, along with a variety of instrumental and vocal solos and duets. From classical to contemporary, it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the skill and passion of our student performers. Time: 12 Noon, Friday 30 May Venue: Uxbridge Arts and Culture, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick Tickets: $6 – Available online, from the Uxbridge customer services desk, or at the door (from 11:30am, on the day if not sold out) Come along and enjoy an hour of exceptional music, from our talented performers. Bring a friend and treat yourself to a midday musical escape!

UNIFORM REMINDER As the days shorten and become 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 (Click here for more detailed uniform information): 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

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.

SPORTS NEWS

1st XI Boys Hockey Tops Table

Our Boys’ First XI Hockey team has made an impressive start to the season. After claiming three wins in a row, they now sit at the top of the table heading into the next grading round.

Their latest victory came on Wednesday with a decisive 4–0 win over Botany Downs Secondary College. Goal scorers included Glenn Solomann, Hamish Lad, Lucas Reid, and Alex Yin — a great team effort that reflects the focus and momentum the boys have built already this term.

With strong performances already under their belt, the team is in a great position for the challenges ahead. We wish them all the best for the upcoming grading round and look forward to following their continued progress throughout the season.

Promising Debuts For Y10 Football

Both of our Year 10 boys' football teams made their debuts last weekend, showing focus, teamwork, and commitment in two competitive matches. Howick College Black faced Auckland Grammar School in a close contest, going down 0–1 after conceding a late goal. It was an evenly matched game throughout, with Daniel Fanelli named Player of the Day and a strong performance in goal by Noby Cheema.

Meanwhile, Howick College Red played out a high-scoring 4–4 draw against Botany Downs Secondary College. Goals came from Iggy Masterantonio and Devin Marshall, with Devin also recognised as Player of the Day. Both teams represented the school with pride and demonstrated our 4C values both on and off the pitch.

A big thank you to our coaches, Rob Hannaby (Black) and Tony Masterantonio (Red), whose leadership and support—alongside the team managers—play a vital role in the development of these players and the success of our football programme.

Premier Teams Sports Draw - Week 4 

MONDAY 19 MAY
1st XV Girls' Rugby vs Kelston Girls' High School, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 4:00pm

TUESDAY 20 MAY
Premier Boys' Basketball vs Glendowie College, Venue: Pakuranga College Court 1, Start: 4:30pm
Snr Open Underwater Hockey vs Mahurangi College, Venue: Manurewa Aquatic Centre, Start: 8:05pm

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY
Howick 1 Badminton vs Edgewater College, Venue: Lloyd Elsmore Hall, Start: 3:30pm
1st XI Girls' Football vs Carmel College, Venue: Takapuna Football Club Field 1, Field 1, Kick-off: 4:00pm
1st XI Boys' Hockey vs TBC, Venue: TBC, Start: TBC
Premier 1 Netball vs Rosehill College, Venue: Papakura Netball Centre Court 2, Start: 6:10pm

THURSDAY 22 MAY
1st XI Girls' Hockey BYE

FRIDAY 23 MAY
1st XI Boys' Football vs Glendowie College, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 3:00pm

SATURDAY 24 MAY
Premier 1 Netball vs Epsom Girls Grammar School, Venue: Auckland Netball Centre Court C, Start: 9:30am
1st XV Boys' Rugby Waitakere College, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off:12:00pm

KINDO PAYMENTS   Kindo is now our preferred payment system for donations, course and sports fees, school trips, fundraisers, and more. What this means: Payments can no longer be made via the Kamar Financial tab or direct bank deposits. Families are encouraged to set up a Kindo account, remembering to use the email address on file with the school. If you already have a myKindo or ezlunch account, simply update your details—no need to create a new account. If your account has been inactive for over 15 months, contact the Kindo Helpdesk to reactivate it. For full sign-up instructions, click here to download the flyer or visit our website. If you need assistance, please visit the Kindo online support pages. Need more help? Kindo Helpdesk: 8:00am – 4:00pm (weekdays) Freephone: 0508 4 KINDO (0508 454 636) Email: [email protected]

HOWICK COLLEGE LIBRARY - BOOK OF THE WEEK