Term 2, Week 1, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College, Last year, we reviewed our reporting to parents and students. We were very pleased with the level of engagement and feedback from both groups and have made some changes for 2025 and 2026. This week sees the introduction of a fortnightly report for Year 9 and 10 students, which supplements our existing reporting. This report will provide feedback to parents and students on effort, attendance, and lateness to class. It is part of an ongoing programme focused on raising expectations and supporting students to be the best possible versions of themselves. Reinforcing effort is one of the key strategies many educators identify as essential to creating a strong learning environment. To support this, teachers ensure students know what is expected of them, receive feedback on how they are doing, and learn what steps to take next. Research by cognitive psychologist Carol Dweck, author of Mindset, highlights the importance of encouraging effort. Her team explored the impact on learning and motivation when students were praised for working hard versus being praised for being smart. Students praised for being smart tended to take fewer risks, were more easily frustrated by challenges, and were even more likely to consider cheating. In contrast, students praised for working hard showed greater perseverance when facing difficulties and were more likely to reflect on how they could improve. I have always believed that intelligence is not static. Dweck describes this difference as the distinction between fixed and growth mindsets. People with a growth mindset believe intelligence can be developed through practice, hard work, and sustained effort. Those with a fixed mindset believe some people are just “smart,” and that intelligence cannot change. By placing greater emphasis on effort, we are helping our students take ownership of their learning — and grow into resilient, capable learners who can thrive both in and beyond the classroom. Have a great weekend. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Wednesday 7 May Parent/Teacher Interviews From 4:00 - 7:00pm Tuesday 13 May Po Fiafia Evening from 7:00pm 12BUS Market Day - Lunchtime in C Block Courtyard Wednesday 14/Thursday 15 May NCEA Music Concert - 7:00pm Friday 16 May Pink Shirt Day Monday 19 - Thursday 29 May Numeracy/Literacy Exams 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

NEW HOLA OF ENGLISH APPOINTED

We are pleased to congratulate and welcome Ms Kylie Bryce on her appointment as the new Head of Learning Area (HoLA) for English at Howick College. Ms Bryce joined us at the beginning of this term and brings a wealth of experience to the role. She spent the past 12 years at Pakuranga College, where she held several leadership positions, including Head of Faculty – Arts, Assistant Head of Faculty – English, and Teacher in Charge of Year 11 English. Ms Bryce is passionate about English and enjoys exploring literature and discussing key ideas in texts with her students. She is looking forward to getting to know the staff and students in the English Department and fostering a love of reading, critical thinking, and meaningful dialogue. She replaces Mrs Anne Botha as HoLA, with Mrs Botha set to retire at the end of this term. We thank Mrs Botha for her 24 years of dedicated service to Howick College.

YEAR 9 & 10 EFFORT REPORTS

From the end of this week, Year 9 students will begin receiving Fortnightly Effort Reports, with Year 10 students following from the end of next week. These new reports are an important addition to our regular once-per-term school reporting cycle. Their purpose is to support junior students in reflecting on the effort they are making in class. They also include data on attendance and punctuality for each fortnightly period, offering parents and caregivers a clear snapshot of their child’s effort and progress.

Effort is graded on a scale from 1 to 4, where 4 represents Outstanding Effort and 1 represents Insufficient Effort. Each report will show an updated average per subject and an overall grade.

What does Outstanding Effort (Grade 4) look like?

• Arriving to class on time, in the correct uniform, with everything needed — including a charged device.
• Actively engaging in learning by participating in lessons, asking thoughtful questions, and using feedback to improve.
• Being courteous, respectful, and polite to teachers and peers.
• Demonstrating courage by trying new things, persevering through challenges, and completing tasks to the best of one’s ability.

Every student is capable of achieving a Grade 4, and this is the goal we encourage all students to work towards.

The reports will also indicate each student’s attendance percentage and the number of times they have been late to class during the fortnight. Regular attendance is defined by the Ministry of Education as 90% or higher and is closely linked to academic success. Being on time matters — lateness not only interrupts learning but also makes it harder for students to stay on track.

This new initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with families to maintain high expectations and help our students be the best versions of themselves.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

As outlined last term, the link between regular attendance and academic success is well-established. Students who consistently attend school are better positioned to maximise their learning opportunities and succeed. This aligns with the Government’s Every Day Matters initiative, which highlights the importance of daily school attendance.

Doing well in the classroom is also closely linked to punctuality. Being present and on time ensures that students don’t miss valuable teaching and learning time and helps build positive habits that support success both in and beyond school. Punctuality fosters self-discipline, sets the tone for the day, and contributes to a calm, focused, and respectful learning environment for everyone.

Every student’s presence matters — which is why attendance and punctuality are key priorities for us at Howick College. To support students and their families in meeting these expectations, we’ve created the Managing Absences and Lateness Guide, which can be found on the "Our Expectations" page of our website

ORDERING PHOTOLIFE PHOTOS

School group photos are currently being processed by PhotoLife. Your child will be given a key code which will allow you to place your order.  Please follow the instructions in the key code pamphlet and order on time.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to meet their child's teachers on Wednesday 7 May between 4:00pm and 7:pm.  Interviews will be held in G and L Block (click here to view campus map) and will be for  5 minutes. To book interviews, parents/caregivers should log in to the school portal and click the Parent Teacher Interviews icon pictured here.

MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES

From left: Mrs Naidoo, Ms Oostendorp and Mrs Smal.

 At Howick College, a dedicated team works behind the scenes to support our students and staff.  This week, we shine a light on our Health Centre team—experienced, compassionate professionals who provide day-to-day care, guidance, and support for a wide range of student health needs.

Mrs Claudia Naidoo - Nurse
Mrs Naidoo is an experienced registered nurse with a career spanning 30 years. Her diverse experience includes roles as a military nurse in South Africa, clinical liaison, and coaching and supporting student nurses. Mrs Naidoo particularly enjoys working with young people and joined Howick College in 2018.

Ms Keshnee Oostendorp – School Nurse (Part-time - Monday, Thursday, Friday)
Ms Oostendorp graduated as a nurse from AUT in 2004 and has predominantly worked in youth health within school settings. She joined Howick College in May 2024 and is passionate about the health and well-being of young people. Ms Oostendorp believes students should be well-informed and encouraged to make decisions alongside a parent or trusted adult. She can be found in the Health Centre on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Mrs Smal – Health Centre Administrator
With a Diploma in Business, Mrs Smal has over 20 years of experience working in administration roles, including 5 years in the health industry. Mrs Smal is the first point of contact in the Health Centre. She can assist with arranging appointments with a nurse, physiotherapist, or counsellor. She also organizes first aid courses for staff and liaises with the NZ Blood Service and Dental Planet.

The full list of Health Centre Services can be viewed on our website.

ANZAC DAY SERVICE

Last Friday, Howick College was proud to have our student leaders, alongside members of our Senior Leadership Team, represent the school at the Howick ANZAC Parade and Civic Memorial Service, marking 110 years since the Gallipoli landing. The event provided an opportunity to honour those who served and sacrificed for our country, with our students standing alongside the community in paying tribute to their bravery.

A highlight of the service was the speech by Year 12 student Nikita Keeling (top right), who was selected to speak at the service after winning the ANZAC Literacy Competition. Her essay, reflecting on the meaning of ANZAC Day to her and her family, impressed the judge with its quality, earning her the opportunity to address the crowd.

We are very proud of our student leaders' involvement in this significant event and congratulate Nikita for her outstanding achievement. 

LITERACY & NUMERACY WORKSHOPS

Literacy and Numeracy workshops will run over the first three weeks of Term 2 to help prepare students for the upcoming Co-Requisite exams in Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 2. All students are welcome to attend any of the following workshops:

Literacy - Mondays in A1 (Weeks 1-3)
- Preparation using past Literacy papers
- Support in creating NZQA accounts

Numeracy - Tuesdays in C18 (Weeks 1-3)
- Preparation using past Numeracy papers
- Support in creating NZQA accounts

If you are having any issues creating your NZQA account please see Mrs Nairn in the Study Centre during lunch times in A4.

UPCOMING MATHS COMPETITIONS

This year’s Maths competitions provide an excellent opportunity for students to extend their thinking and engage with mathematical problem-solving beyond the classroom. These events promote critical thinking, resilience, and confidence, encouraging students to apply their skills in new and challenging ways.

We encourage all students to get involved—regardless of ability. It’s about participation, growth, and enjoying the challenge, not just competition.

To register for any of these competitions please email HOLA Mathematics at [email protected]

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!

CAREERS DEPARTMENT NEWS

UPCOMING EDUCATION PROVIDERS VISITS

Who: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
What: The NZDF will be visiting to talk to students about the various roles and opportunities available within the organization.
When: Monday 5 May, 1:40pm lunchtime
Where: H3

CAREERWISE
Don't forget to check out CareerWise, a central hub for students and parents to access career-related information and opportunities. This platform is available via the Careers page on our website and provides up-to-date information on career events at school. It also brings together essential tools, resources, and opportunities in one easy-to-use site.

STUDY CENTRE    If you are a student looking to enhance your learning or a parent encouraging your child to seek extra support, student tutors are now available to help. Tutoring sessions can be booked through the Study Centre button on the Howick College website. Students must use their school email to book. Parents and caregivers cannot book on their behalf. Tutors can be booked for a one-off session or set up for ongoing weekly support. The Study Centre also provides a quiet space for students to work independently on their classwork and homework. Take advantage of this valuable support service to build confidence and improve learning outcomes! Where: A4 When: Interval & Lunchtime SPORTS NEWS Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament  During the school holidays, our Girls’ Rugby Sevens team, and current national champions, travelled to Japan to represent New Zealand at the prestigious Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament. The team delivered a solid performance throughout the competition, finishing fourth overall. After a narrow opening loss, the team quickly found their rhythm, delivering strong performances in their remaining pool matches. These wins saw them progress to the semi-finals, where they faced sister school Kanto Gakuin Matsuura High. The Japanese side were faultless, leading 17–5 at halftime. A tightly contested second half followed, with neither team able to add to the score as the Howick girls fought hard but couldn’t break through their opponent's disciplined defensive line. The final match, a rematch against Fukuoka Rugby Club, gave newer players to the sevens format valuable experience. Although the result didn’t go their way, the team showed commitment and resilience right to the final whistle. The high level of accuracy and precision from the Japanese teams offered important lessons for all international competitors. It was also a special moment for the team to reconnect with Tae Satoh (pictured centre), a former international student at Howick College in 2023 and current player for Kanto Gakuin Matsuura High School. The team can be extremely proud of their efforts and representing their families, community, school, and country with pride. Sincere thanks go to the families, supporters, and sponsors whose backing helped make this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible. Strong Start for 1st XI Hockey Girls This week, our 1st XI Girls’ Hockey team played their first match in the A grade competition, facing Selwyn College in a highly anticipated opener. In an impressive debut at this level, and the team came away with a 4–2 victory! There was no single player of the match, as the team played with unity and purpose, demonstrating outstanding teamwork throughout. Their performance was not only defined by skill and determination on the field but also by the way they represented Howick College—with courtesy, humility, and sportsmanship. From supporting injured opposition players to celebrating the win with grace, the team upheld the highest values of our school. It was a memorable start to their A grade campaign and a proud moment for all involved.  Students Named Cheerleading World Champions Left: Zarah Hex and Scarlett Purvis   Right: Team New Zealand - World Champions Champions We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of two Howick College students, Scarlett Purvis (Year 13) and Zarah Hex (Year 12), who recently represented New Zealand on the international cheerleading stage. Scarlett and Zarah were members of Team New Zealand at the world renown ICU World Cheerleading Championships held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. Their team delivered a winning performance—earning them the title of World Champions! Scarlett is continuing her journey in the United States by competing at the Cheerleading Worlds, representing her gym against elite teams from around the world. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion both athletes bring to their sport. We congratulate Zarah and Scarlett on their success and wish Scarlett all the best in her upcoming competition. U19 Badminton Champion   Congratulations to Year 12 student Arvind Vairavan, who achieved an outstanding result at a recent regional badminton tournament. On 26 April, Arvind competed in the Under-19 category at a tournament held in Tauranga and proudly emerged as the champion. This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of Arvind’s skill, dedication, and commitment to the sport. Well done, Arvind, on your success — a result to be proud of! NISS Orienteering Championship   Last weekend, Year 11 student Courage Chang represented Howick College at the North Island Secondary School Orienteering Championship, held in Auckland. Competing in the Intermediate Boys category, Courage placed 13th out of 57 competitors in the Sprint event. He followed this with an impressive 9th place finish out of 40 in the Championship Long event. These results reflect Courage’s determination, stamina, and strong orienteering skills across two demanding events. Well done on a fantastic effort in a tough field of competitors. Premier Teams Sports Draw - Week 2 MONDAY 5 MAY 1st XI Girls' Rugby vs Southern Cross, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 4:00pm TUESDAY 6 MAY Premier Boys' Basketball vs One Tree Hill College, Venue: Elim College, Start: 6:00pm Premier Boys' Underwater Hockey  WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 1st XI Girls' Football vs Rutherford College, Venue: HOME GAME, Field 1, Kick-off: 4:00pm 1st XI Boys' Hockey vs Macleans College, Venue: Macleans College Turf 1, Start: 4:30pm THURSDAY 8 MAY Senior Girls' Basketball vs Epsom Grammar School, Venue: Baradene College Ct 1, Start: 5:30pm 1st XI Girls' Hockey vs Pakuranga College, Venue: LEP, Turf 1, Start: 4:30pm FRIDAY 9 MAY 1st XI Boys' Football vs Rosmini College, Venue: North Harbour Stadium Field 1, Kick-off: 6:00pm SATURDAY 10 MAY 1st XI Boys' Rugby vs Otahuhu College, Venue: Otahuhu College, Kick-off: 12:00pm HEALTH CENTRE NEWS Sleep is Important - Especially for Teens Getting enough sleep isn’t just about feeling rested—it helps your body recover, your brain learn and remember new things, and your immune system stay strong. Sleep is also when your body produces growth hormone, which is important for physical development. Teenagers generally need about 8–10 hours of sleep each night. During puberty, your body clock shifts, so it’s natural to want to stay up later—often until 11 pm or beyond—and sleep in longer the next day. But most teens don’t get the sleep they need, especially on school nights. Not getting enough sleep can make it harder to focus, learn, and stay in a good mood. It’s also linked to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. Here are some simple ways to improve your sleep: Get outside and stay active – Daylight and physical activity help your body produce melatonin (the sleep hormone) at the right time. Avoid caffeine – It’s a stimulant that can keep you awake. You’ll find it in energy drinks, cola, coffee, tea, and even chocolate. Limit naps – If you nap, keep it to 20 minutes and avoid sleeping too close to bedtime. Wind down before bed – Try reading, listening to calm music, doing a quiet hobby, or having a warm shower. Stick to a bedtime – Going to bed at the same time every night helps set your body clock. Turn off screens – Keep phones and other devices out of the bedroom, and switch them off at least an hour before sleep. Wake up at a regular time – Try to keep weekend and weekday wake-up times within two hours of each other. Get morning sunlight – Sunlight helps stop melatonin production so you feel more awake. Getting into good sleep habits now can help you feel better, think more clearly, and be ready for whatever your day throws at you.

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