Term 3, Week 2, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL A CRITICAL TERM FOR SENIORS Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College. It has been really pleasing to see how quickly our students have settled back into school and hit the ground running with their learning. For senior students, this is a critical term, as there is not much time left before they begin their NCEA examinations. There are 53 school days remaining for senior students — minus five for Tournament Week, five for derived grade examinations, and one Teacher Only Day — leaving just 42 school days for some. Not a lot of time, but as I pointed out to seniors at assemblies last week, it is still enough time to make significant progress if the commitment and effort is there. This time of year has the same feel to it as always, with the final internally assessed standards being completed and the last topics being taught before the derived grade examinations at the end of the term. The remaining 10 days or so will be focused on exam preparation, revision and more revision. It has been good to hear the government making some noise about changes to NCEA. Over the years, it has been diluted by too much internal assessment, allowing some students to gain an NCEA qualification without sitting an exam. Too many schools have adopted a “pick and mix” approach to standards, meaning students are doing less learning in the basics. The moderation of internal assessments, intended to maintain a consistent national standard, has also been weak. As one of the eight people responsible in 1999 for introducing NCEA to New Zealand schools via a national professional development programme, I can confidently say that it has drifted significantly from its original intent, and a refresh is well overdue. As for those who have consistently criticised it from the start, they are proof that in New Zealand education, if you stand still long enough, you end up leading the way… at least every 15 years. Have a great  weekend. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Thursday 31 July Y10 Subject Selection Evening 6:00 - 8:00pm Tuesday 5 August Winter Teams & Groups Photos Wednesday 6 August Year 9 2026 Enrolment Information Evening Thursday 7 August  Eastern Zone Speech Competition Wednesday 13 - Friday 15 August Dance Showcase 7:00- 9:00pm Wednesday 20 August NCEA Drama Performances  6:00 - 8:00pm Thursday 21 - Friday 22 August NIWA Science Fair Sunday 23 - Friday 29 August Winter Tournament Week Wednesday 27 August Y9 2026 Out-of-Zone Enrolments Close Wednesday 3 September Y9 2026 Out-of-Zone Ballot Drawn Full Board Meeting 5:00 - 8:00pm Monday 8 - Friday 12 September Derived Grade Exams (Seniors) Monday 15 - Friday 19 September Te Wiki o te Reo Maori Monday 15 September - Friday 10 October Dental Planet On Site Tuesday 16 September Spring Carnival Friday 19 September Last Day Term 3

STUDENT LEAVE REQUEST FORM

We are introducing a new Student Leave Request Form for all non-school related planned absences of three or more days.

From Term 3 onwards, students will be expected to take the form to each of their teachers for signing at least two weeks prior to the start of the leave. This will ensure teachers are informed in advance and can have a conversation with the student if any assessments will be affected. Once completed, the form will be reviewed by the Principal, who will determine whether the leave is justified or unjustified and code it accordingly.

Please note: For the sake of fairness in assessments, there is no expectation that extensions or additional support will be provided for students taking unjustified leave.

The form can be accessed here, on the Our Expectations page of our website, or collected from the Student Office. Thank you for your support with this new process.

2026 SENIOR SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS

In term 3, students in Years 10, 11 and 12 will choose their subject options for 2026. We encourage all parents and caregivers to support their children in making these important decisions.

All the information about the subjects available at Howick College can be found on the Subject Pathways Map available on our website. There is also useful important information and activities on:https://tahatu.govt.nz/

All students will begin the process by completing a careers activity in tutor classes and attend a Subject Selection Assembly. Students will select their options in the relevant tutor times shown below:

Year 12 - Term 3 Week 2,  Year 11 - Term 3 Week 4, Year 10 - Term 3 Week 6
Students in Year 9 will select their 2026 subjects in Term 4.

SENIOR SUBJECT SELECTION EVENING

THURSDAY 31 JULY FROM 6:00-8:00 PM
The Subject Selection Evening is aimed at caregivers and Year 10 students who are selecting their 2026 NCEA subjects. The evening will begin at 6:00pm with a brief presentation in the Bill Dimery Performing Arts Centre.

However, parents and students from other year levels are also welcome to attend if they wish to learn more about the subjects offered at Howick College and how these pathway from Year 9 through to Year 13. Teachers from each Learning Area will be available in the Library and G Block from 6:00pm to discuss their courses.

TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES

An attractive and well-maintained school environment doesn’t happen by accident — it’s the result of ongoing effort, expertise, and attention to detail. At Howick College, this work is carried out by the team from Turftec, a professional groundskeeping company contracted to manage the upkeep of our entire site. This team plays a vital role in creating a safe, functional, and welcoming space for students, staff, and visitors every day.

Terry Hunt (left) leads the team as head groundsperson, overseeing everything from playing the fields  and gardens to hard surfaces, landscaping, red bin collection, and general maintenance. Since joining the college two years ago, Mr Hunt has guided a number of significant improvements across the grounds and takes great satisfaction in the visible progress made. With a strong background in building, gardening, and landscaping, he brings a wealth of experience and a clear passion for outdoor work. Mr Hunt values the opportunity to see long-term growth and change through ongoing care and thoughtful planning.

Supporting him is Thomas Hughson (right), who joined the team after working in coaching and trades. Since starting at Howick College, Mr Hughson has developed a wide range of skills in grounds maintenance, including field upkeep, garden care and rubbish collection. A highlight for him has been the recent carpark garden replanting project (top left), which he helped deliver from start to finish.

Together, Mr Hunt and Mr Hughson ensure Howick College remains a clean, green, and well-kept environment — their work is both essential and greatly appreciated!

MAX HOMAN - HIP HOP WORLD CHAMPION

Congratulations to Year 11 student Max Homan (far left), who has just returned from Los Angeles as a World Champion at the prestigious World of Dance Summit 2025 — one of the biggest international competitions in the dance world.

Max is a member of the elite hip hop crew Yung ID, part of the IDCO dance company. After winning the New Zealand Qualifier earlier this year, the team earned the right to represent Aotearoa on the world stage. They travelled to Los Angeles in July, where they competed against over 60 of the best crews from around the globe.

After an intense series of performances, Yung ID made it into the top 20 teams across all divisions, then went on to win the overall World Champion title, outperforming seasoned professionals and adult crews. As part of this incredible achievement, the team was awarded a $5000 USD prize and international recognition.

Max’s success didn’t stop there, he also recently won two silver medals and one gold medal at the World Dance Crew Championship, highlighting his dedication, skill, and rising profile in the competitive dance scene. Alongside his own training and performance schedule, Max still finds time to support the Howick College Hip Hop team, generously sharing his experience and passion during Thursday lunchtimes.

We are incredibly proud of Max’s achievements and look forward to watching his journey continue. His talent, work ethic, and humility are an inspiration to our school community.

CAREERS DEPARTMENT

Shadow a Leader Day

Clockwise from top: Nathan-The Alternate Disputes Resolution Centre, Ella-Chapman Tripp and Courtney-Gilbert Walker

Last week, three of our Year 13 students — Nathan Cox, Ella Worthington and Courtney MacAnully — were selected to take part in AUT’s prestigious Shadow a Leader programme.

This initiative connects Auckland secondary school students with senior leaders from some of New Zealand’s top businesses, government organisations, and law firms. It offers a unique, hands-on opportunity to gain insight into leadership in action and explore potential career pathways.

The trio spent the day with professionals at three leading law firms (clockwise from top: Nathan-The Alternate Disputes Resolution Centre, Ella-Chapman Tripp and Courtney-Gilbert Walker) observing how leadership operates in a fast-paced legal environment. The experience gave them a valuable glimpse into the world of business and legal practice, as well as inspiration for their own future aspirations.

Congratulations to all three on making the most of this exceptional opportunity.

Pacific Leaders of Tomorrow

On Monday, ten of our Year 12 Pasifika students had the opportunity to attend PILOT Day (Pacific Leaders of Tomorrow), an event designed to grow leadership capacity and cultural pride among emerging Pasifika leaders.

Students took part in a series of engaging workshops and talanoa sessions focused on recognising their personal leadership strengths, exploring how cultural identity shapes purpose and influence, and beginning to build their own "nets of influence" — the values, relationships, and visions that guide them on their leadership journey. The day served as a powerful reminder that true leadership is grounded in purpose, service, and connection, values that are deeply rooted in Pacific heritage.

We are incredibly proud of our students and the way they represented themselves, their families, and Howick College. Their confidence, cultural pride, and the way they shared their perspectives show that the future is in strong hands.

2025 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS

Our Howick College School Board elections will take place in September 2025. There are four parent representative positions available. The Board plays a key role in shaping the direction of Howick College, ensuring effective governance and community representation. This year’s election will be run online by Election Pilot, an experienced provider approved by the Ministry of Education. Nomination and voting details will be emailed to all eligible voters. If we do not hold an email address, printed papers will be sent by post. For full details on the election process, please click on the link below: School Board Elections 2025 – Information for Families If you are considering standing or would like to know more, please contact our Presiding Member at [email protected].

LITERACY & NUMERACY WORKSHOPS

We will once again be running lunchtime workshops for any students who did not pass either the Literacy (reading and/or writing) and Numeracy exams in May. Please come along if you would like some support to help you prepare for the next round of exams in Week 8 of this term.

Literacy lunchtime workshops will begin on Monday 28 July in A1 and Numeracy lunchtime workshops will begin on Tuesday 29 July in C18.

If you have any questions about the exams, please email Mrs Nairn,  [email protected]

Y9 2026 ENROLMENT INFORMATION EVENING

PASIFIKA FONO - TERM 3 Howick College warmly invites all Pasifika families to attend our Term 3 Pasifika Fono on Tuesday 5 August (Week 4, Term 3) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Howick College Library. This evening is an opportunity to come together in a spirit of connection and collaboration, strengthening the partnership between home and school to support the success of our Pasifika ākonga. We welcome your voice and input as we work together to empower our young people to thrive - academically, culturally, and personally. The focus of the evening will be NCEA and exam success. We look forward to seeing you there! Fa‘afetai lava • Mālō ‘aupito • Fakaaue lahi • Meitaki ma‘ata • Vinaka vakalevu

WELCOMING OUR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Hallo, Nǐ hǎo, Xin chào, Hola, Ciao, Konnichiwa, Mingalaba, Zdravey, Bula!

At the beginning of Term 3, we were delighted to welcome 35 new international students to Howick College. These students have joined us from across the globe including Germany, China, Vietnam, Chile, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Bulgaria, Belgium, Taiwan, Fiji, and Switzerland. They were officially welcomed into our school whānau with a Mihi Whakatau, led by our talented Kapa Haka group. This special occasion provided a warm and inclusive start to their journey with us.

Now two weeks into the term, our new students are settling in well to their new environment, building connections, and embracing life at Howick College. Later this term, we look forward to welcoming four more students from Mexico, Germany, and China.

We’re excited to have such a rich blend of cultures and perspectives joining our school community and look forward to the many shared experiences ahead.

ADVOCATING FOR SCOLIOSIS AWARENESS

We are proud to acknowledge the incredible work of Bell House co-leader, Stella Donaldson (top left), who recently represented New Zealand at two prestigious events in the United States as part of her advocacy for scoliosis awareness and support.

Stella, who lives with scoliosis herself, is the leader of the Aotearoa chapter of Curvy Girls, an international peer support network for young women with scoliosis. As part of this role, she travelled to Long Island, New York to attend the 2025 Curvy Girls International Scoliosis Convention. There, she joined other courageous and inspiring young people from across the United States and around the world in workshops, community-building activities, and peer-led sessions. Stella also presented on the work she has done here in New Zealand to promote scoliosis advocacy and support others living with the condition.

In addition to the convention, Stella was invited to speak at the Columbia University Spine Symposium in New York City — a prestigious platform where she shared her personal journey with scoliosis, the impact of the Curvy Girls movement, and the importance of holistic, patient-centred care in treatment.

We are incredibly proud of Stella not only for her courage and leadership, but also for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. 

CHESS STAR ON THE RISE

Congratulations to Year 9 student Daqi Mao on his outstanding achievements in chess this year. Daqi recently claimed the title of New Zealand Rapid Chess Champion, marking a significant milestone in what is already an impressive chess career. Earlier this year, Daqi earned the prestigious FIDE Master (FM) title, an internationally recognised ranking, after a remarkable victory over multiple Australian champion, Grandmaster Darryl Johansen, at the Oceania Championships in Melbourne.

This Saturday, 26 July, Daqi will be showcasing his skills once again, competing in a special match at Howick Poppies Books alongside another rising junior talent. The Howick College community is warmly invited to attend and support him. Your presence will not only encourage Daqi but also reflect the strong sense of community we value at Howick College.

We look forward to seeing you there and witnessing Daqi’s talent in action.

SPORTS NEWS

1st XI Boy's Football - Knockout Cup Quarter Final

Our 1st XI Boys’ Football team is gearing up for one of the biggest games of the season as they prepare to face St Peter’s College in the quarter-finals of the Auckland Secondary Schools Knockout Cup. The match will be held at home on Tuesday 29 July, with kick-off at 3:00pm.

It’s been an incredible campaign so far, with the team showing real strength and unity under the leadership of coach Kyle Park. Their impressive form this season has earned them a well-deserved spot among the final eight teams to play in the national premier competition, and they’re determined to keep their momentum going.

This is a huge moment for the team and we’d love to see our school and local community rally behind them and join us on the sidelines to cheer them on!

Strong Start for Inaugral Men's Netball Team

This year marked a milestone for Howick College with the introduction of our first-ever Men’s Netball Team, who delivered an impressive debut season in the HPNC Secondary Schools Competition. Coached by Kylie Grey and Chrissy Grey the team drew their opening match against Ormiston College 18-18, before going on to remain unbeaten, and claim the overall title with a final win against King’s College.

Many of the players come from rugby and tag backgrounds and approached the season with commitment and a willingness to learn. The team quickly developed their skills in passing, footwork, and court positioning, and grew in confidence and cohesion throughout the competition. Jericho Tupu and Ezekiel Greig were recognised as MVPs for their significant progress on court, while Isaac Lau’ese, Leikhar Hill, and Amosa Brown stood out for their consistency and leadership.

Following the HPNC season, the team competed in the Combined Points Tournament at Auckland Netball Centre, performing strongly against schools across the region and recording only one loss. They now look ahead to the next tournament on 6 August with focus and determination.

This team has laid a strong foundation for the future of Men’s Netball at Howick College.

Gritty Win for 1st XV Girls 

In what was possibly one of the most important fixtures of the season, our 1st XV girls claimed a hard-fought 22–15 victory over Auckland Girls’ Grammar in front of a home crowd. Despite late withdrawals of key players Ffion Penney and Asha Taumoepeau-Williams, the team showed great depth and resilience, with Year 10 student Jireh Fiu Palagi making her premier debut at first five and co-captain Levonah Motuliki shifting to centre.

Tries from Joy Fiu and Year 9 winger TJ Kaisa saw Howick lead 12–10 at the break. AGGS briefly took the lead early in the second half, but Howick maintained composure, controlling territory through smart kicking and strong forward play. Two decisive tries from Motuliki sealed the result, with a late turnover by Portia Mealamu securing the win in the final minutes.

Special mention to Year 9s Portia Mealamu and TJ Kaisa, and Year 10s Jin Leaunoa and Jireh Fiu Palagi for their impressive contributions in their first season of 15s rugby.

Boxing Success on the World Stage

Congratulations to Year 11 student Joel Ioelu (pictured in blue), who continues to impress in the boxing ring. Since 2019, Joel has shown unwavering commitment to his sport, and his hard work is paying off! Joel was recently selected by Independent Boxing Samoa INC, affiliated with World Boxing, to join a group of top junior and youth athletes from New Zealand, Australia, and Samoa. Together, they travelled to Samoa to trial for selection in major events such as the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, Pacific Games, and Oceania Championships. Joel topped the 65kg–70kg amateur division, earning recognition not only from Samoa but also from the Cook Islands, who have invited him to compete against some of their top fighters. He returns to Samoa later this year to continue the selection process — and with results like these, he’s well on his way to representing Samoa on the world stage!

Premier Teams Sports Draw - Week 3

MONDAY 28 JULY
1st XV Girls' Rugby vs Mt Albert Grammar, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 4:00pm

TUESDAY 29 JULY
1st XI Boys' Football vs St Peter's College, Knockout Cup Quarter-Final, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Premier Boys' Basketball vs Maclean's College, Venue: Macleans College, Start: 5:00pm

WEDNESDAY 30 JULY
1st XI Boys' Hockey vs Auckland Grammar School,  Venue: AGS Turf 1, Start: 5:30pm
1st XI Girls' Football vs Long Bay College, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 4:00pm

THURSDAY 31 JULY
1st XI Girls' Hockey vs Baradene College, Venue: Baradene College Turf 1, Start: 5;15pm

FRIDAY 1 AUGUST
1st XI Boys' Football vs Waitakere College , Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-Off: 3:00pm

SATURDAY 2 JULY
Premier 1 Netball vs St Kentigern College, Venue: ANC Court A, Start:11:30am
1st XV Boys' Rugby vs Macleans College, Venue: Macleans College, 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

A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern