Term 1, Week 10, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College, This week has capped off what has been an outstanding term. House Spirit Week has been extremely well led by our student leaders and has been filled with interesting and exciting activities that have continued the positive vibe that the College started on back in February. Our student leaders have done such a great job this term. They have stepped up and taken more responsibility for leading their Houses and councils. I am very proud of them. A highlight of the past week was attending the Year 11 NCEA drama performance night, where our students shared their Term 1 work with us. These students are just beginning their senior drama journey, and their hard work and obvious talent were rewarded with excellent performances. The Year 12 production, Te Awarua, was outstanding, with very strong performances from both casts and superb work from our talented technical team. All of these were directed by our champion of the Arts and Head of Learning Area (HOLA) Mrs Jillian Dryden. I would also like to congratulate Jay Lane for gaining direct entry into the SCGNZ National Schools Shakespeare Performance in October.  Summer sport has been hugely successful, with many notable individual and team performances. Leading the way was our 1st XI Boys' cricket team, hitting the headlines regularly with their fantastic performances. They now sit proudly in top position, waiting for the season to resume in October, with their goal being promotion to the top 8 competition. As we head into the holidays, we wish our Girls' 7s team, the reigning National Champions, all the best as they take on the top youth rugby 7s teams in the world at the Sanix Youth World Rugby Tournament in Japan later this month. This wonderful group of young women has worked hard on and off the field to achieve what could well be a trip of a lifetime. They are very lucky to have a great coach and manager combination in Waisake and Adelita Sotutu. I would also like to thank everyone involved in helping them get to Japan, especially their families and sponsors. As we finish off the term, we can reflect on what has been a very positive and successful 10 weeks as we continue to grow and evolve. All of our indicators show steady progress—the same term-on-term improvement that we have seen for some time now. I never cease to be amazed by our remarkable students, dedicated staff, and supportive parents and community.  Enjoy a restful and well-deserved break. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Friday 11 April  Term 1 Ends Friday 11  April - Friday May 2 Dental Planet on Site Friday 18 April Good Friday Monday 21 April Easter Monday Friday 25 April ANZAC Day Monday 28 April Term 2 Begins Wednesday 30 April Parent/Teacher Interviews From 4:00 - 7:00pm Wednesday 7 May Parent/Teacher Interviews From 4:00 - 7:00pm Wednesday 13 May Po Fiafia Evening  from 7:00pm Wednesday 14/Thursday 15 May NCEA Music Concert -  7:00pm Friday 16 May Pink Shirt Day Wednesday 21 May Numeracy/Literacy Exams Saturday 24 May School Ball  Monday 2 June King's Birthday - Public Holiday Friday 20 June Matariki - Public Holiday Monday 23 June Teacher Only Day

NEW STUDENT ATTENDANCE INITIATIVE

​This week, we are delighted to introduce Ms Christine Growse, who will be taking on the role of Attendance Liaison Officer at Howick College, starting from the beginning of Term 2. In this newly created position, Ms Growse will focus on improving student attendance by identifying trends and patterns and facilitating next steps for Deans, students and families. Ms Growse has been a valued member of our staff since 2019, previously serving in the Community Development Office and more recently in the International Department as the International Administrator. Her experience in these roles has equipped her with the skills necessary to effectively support our students and families in matters of attendance.

A outlined earlier this term, the link between regular attendance and academic success is well-established (to read Mr Burden's article on this correlation, please click here). Students who consistently attend school are better positioned to maximize their learning opportunities and be successful. This aligns with the Government’s “Every Day Matters” initiative, emphasising the importance of daily attendance. By appointing Ms Growse to this role, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every student is present and engaged in their educational journey.​

We look forward to the positive impact Ms Growse will have on our students and appreciate the support of our school community in promoting their consistent attendance.

YEAR 9 & 10 EFFORT REPORTS

At Howick College, we are committed to fostering a learning environment where our core values—Courtesy, Commitment, Curiosity, and Courage—are integral to student development. In alignment with this commitment, we are introducing a pilot program of fortnightly Effort Reports for our junior students during Term 2.​

These reports aim to provide students and parents with regular feedback on the effort demonstrated in each subject class, emphasizing the importance of active engagement and the consistent application of our school values to enhance learning outcomes. These reports will also include data on attendance and punctuality.

Year 9 students will receive their first report at the end of Week 1.
Year 10 students will begin receiving reports from the end of Week 2.

We encourage parents to review and discuss the effort criteria with their child. These will be used by subject teachers to evaluate effort across the fortnight. We look forward to recognising and celebrating the positive effort our students apply to their learning throughout the term.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to meet their child's teachers on Wednesday 30 April and Wednesday 7 May between 4:00pm and 7:pm.  Interviews this year 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.

SGCNZ REGIONAL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

​Last weekend, 14 of our talented drama students delivered a captivating 15-minute compilation of Shakespeare's "Henry VIII" at the SGCNZ South and East Auckland Regional Shakespeare Festival.

Congratulations to Jay Lane (bottom right) who gained direct entry into the prestigious National Shakespeare Schools Production (NSSP) for their portrayal of Griffith, trusted advisor to Queen Katherine. Jay joins an elite group of 24 students to gain direct entry to the NSSP with a further 24 being selected at the National Festival next term. This opportunity could potentially pave the way for Jay's selection as one of the 24 members of the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company who will travel to London next year to perform at the iconic Globe Theatre.

Congratulations also go to Lucas Relph and Jorja Cooper (bottom left) who received the "Most Authentic Connection to the Text" award, generously sponsored by Howick Little Theatre. This award recognises their deep understanding of Shakespeare's work through their respective portrayals of Cardinal Wolsey and Queen Katherine.

The ensemble also featured dedicated performers: Courtney McAnally, Casey Ferguson, Roman Cross, Calleigh Hopkins, Connor Riley, Noah McCloughen, Sol Meshulin-Weiss, Ascari Robb, Ava Knoesen, Bianca McAnally, and Amber McLagan.​

Beyond the stage, our students showcased their versatility by entering several other festival categories, with results to be announced in Term 2. Good luck to the following:

Casey Ferguson – Costume Design​
Willow Maxwell – Musical Composition​
Lana Hattingh – Essay​

These accomplishments underscore the dedication and passion of our drama students. We celebrate their success and look forward to their future endeavors in the performing arts

Y13 ARTIST DEBUTS AT UXBRIDGE GALLERY

Congratulations to Year 13 Art student, Joseph Watson (pictured at work in his studio), who will be showcasing his debut exhibition, Reverie, at UXBRIDGE Arts & Culture from April 19 to July 5, 2025.

Reverie is a captivating collection that delves into Joseph's imaginative world, transforming daydreams into abstract representations of reality. His works feature imaginative landscapes and intriguing creatures, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including artists like Keith Haring and Yayoi Kusama, as well as elements of ancient art and contemporary Japanese video games. UXBRIDGE Visual Arts Coordinator Zoë May describes Reverie as a collection of  "mind-bending images, studded with brightly contrasting colours" and says it's “great to see how much variety is within our young artists.”

After graduating form Howick College, Joseph plans to pursue a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Auckland University of Technology. He views Reverie as the beginning of his formal artistic career and is committed to further exploring and expressing his unique perspective through art.​ We encourage our community to visit the exhibition and support Joseph as he takes this significant step in his artistic journey. 

Exhibition Details:
Title: Reverie
Artist: Joseph Watson
Dates: April 19 – July 5, 2025
Venue: The Wall Gallery, UXBRIDGE Arts & Culture, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

HELP US ERADICATE MOTH PLANT

Moth plant is an invasive species, native to South America, introduced to New Zealand in the 1880s for ornamental purposes. Since then, it has spread throughout the country, posing a significant threat to our native flora by smothering and killing plants in its path. A distinctive feature of the moth plant is its pods, which can contain up to 1,000 seeds. These seeds are spread by the wind, enabling the rapid colonisation of new areas.

To help eradicate this pest plant, ​​Howick College has entered the Regional Moth Plant Competition, with prize money awarded to the school that collects the most moth plant pods and roots. We encourage YOU and our COMMUNITY to join us in gathering as many moth plant pods and roots as possible. So far, Howick College has collected over 1500 pods and vines since the competition began - but we need more!

What you can do if you spot a moth plant:
1. Fill out the following form to report the sighting: https://forms.gle/8rmeLHVEuNRUdV6c6
2. Get permission from the property owner to remove the moth plant pods and vines.​
3. Take photos of the pods/vines and send them, along with the location details, to enviro leaders Courage Chang or Jacob Powell.​

If you would like to participate in collecting moth plants, please fill out the following form, and we can provide you with plant locations:https://forms.gle/vaZjuu6ia2mangXe9. The total number of pods/vines collected will be submitted for the regional competition, which closes on 9 May.​ For more information on moth plants, including identification and removal methods, please refer to this guide.

Moth plant locations map:
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1mNlqHnYN0wgMGrADUoqH0pbcy1JqOVLk?usp=sharing
If you know a location and it is not on this map, please contact us so we can add it to our list.

If you have any questions, please email Courage Chang and Jacob Powell (Envirogroup leaders) or Mr Henty (SCI-HoLA) at [email protected].

CAREERS DEPARTMENT NEWS

UPCOMING EDUCATION PROVIDERS VISITS
Who: New Zealand School of Chiropractic
When: Tuesday 29 April, 1:40pm (lunchtime)
Where: H3
Are you looking for a rewarding, hands-on career in health? Chiropractic care is more than just caring for the spine. It’s a health profession that offers a natural approach to wellness by restoring the brain–body connection, helping people of all ages unlock their natural ability to heal and thrive.

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, including:

Tertiary Study: Explore university courses, accommodation options, and halls of residence.
University Scholarships: Find funding opportunities to support tertiary education.
Events: Stay informed about upcoming career events, guest speakers, and industry visits.
Resources: Access study tips, career advice, and tools for tertiary success.
Job Opportunities: Browse current part-time and holiday job listings.
Industry Experience: Learn about Gateway, MIT Trades Academy, and STAR programmes.

We encourage students and parents to explore CareerWise and make the most of the opportunities available.

STUDY CENTRE TUTORING   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 Tournament Countdown ​On April 18, our Girls' Rugby 7s team will depart for Japan to compete in the prestigious Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament. This event, scheduled from April 28 to 29, at the Global Arena in Fukuoka, brings together top youth teams from around the globe.​ Representing Howick College, their communities, and our nation, these talented athletes will don their red uniforms with immense pride. Their dedication, skill and hard work have earned them this remarkable opportunity, and we stand behind them every step of the way as they take to the world stage once again.​ We wish them all the very best. May they play with passion, sportsmanship, and know they have the unwavering support of their Howick College whānau. UP THE WAKA!!! Rugby 7s Player Profiles As we near the departure date for Japan, we continue our player spotlight series. This week we feature  Brooklyn Peters, Charlie Lindsay, Uaina Lefau and Chrissy-Jon Leaosavaii. These athletes bring skill, strength, and determination to the squad, each driven by personal goals and guiding mottos that sustain them in their pursuit of sporting excellence. Charlie Lindsay: A personal goal of mine is to become a professional player and Silver Fern one day. My motto or mantra would have to be scripture from Matthew 6:33! Simply put, just AO1 (Audience of One). At the end of the day, it's just about me and God.  Uaina Lefau: My personal goal for 2025 is to come back fitter and stronger after my ACL recovery which has been a challenging journey both physically but mentally. The Motto that’s helped me through tough times comes from the Bible: “Be strong and be courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you whenever you go." - Joshua 1:9 Chrissy-Jon Leaoasavaii: My personal goal is to be a Black Fern one day and play rugby as a professional athlete. A motto I live by is: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Brooklyn Peters: My personal goal is to win in Japan - not just winning the tournament, but winning as a team for our school and our country. A motto I stand by is: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard." Coming back from my ACL injury meant I had to work twice as hard to be at the same level of strength and fitness as the rest of my team. I am grateful for the support of my family and team which encouraged me to continue to work hard. Toby McCormack - Outstanding Season of Motorsport  Year 13 student and racecar driver Toby McCormack has concluded a remarkable season in both the North Island Formula Ford Series and the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship. In the North Island series, Toby claimed the championship title, demonstrating exceptional skill and consistency throughout the season. Nationally, he secured a commendable third-place finish in the New Zealand championship, narrowly missing second place by just one point! A standout moment of Toby's season was his selection as a wildcard recipient for the prestigious Rodin Cars 'Formula Ford to Formula 1' Scholarship. This esteemed program offers promising drivers the opportunity to participate in a three-day evaluation at Rodin Cars' private racetrack in Mt Lyford, Canterbury, scheduled from April 15 to 17. The scholarship aims to identify and nurture talent, potentially paving the way for future participation in single-seater categories in Europe with Rodin Motorsport.​ Toby's achievements are a testament to his dedication and passion for motorsport. We congratulate him on his successes and look forward to his future endeavors on the international racing stage.​ Auckland Sprint Orienteering Championship From left: Courage Chang, Serenity Chang, Gaby Prior, Ruby Darvill and Cassius Munoz On Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Auckland Regional Sprint Orienteering Championships took place, across two events. The morning race commenced at 10:00am, followed by the afternoon race starting at 1:30 pm. Competitors' final standings were determined by combining their times from both events. ​ Participants qualified by ranking among the top 10–15 sprint orienteers in their age group within their respective Auckland zones: Eastern, Southern, Central, Western, and Northern. This brought together approximately 50 top athletes per age group from across the region. Howick College was represented by five students: Junior Girls: Serenity Chang (3rd place), Ruby Darvill, and ​Gaby Prior. Junior Boys: Cassius Munoz​ Intermediate Boys: Courage Chang​ (8th place) Serenity Chang claimed 3rd place overall in the Junior Girls division, demonstrating accurate navigation and consistency across both races. In the Intermediate Boys division, Courage Chang finished 8th overall, competing against several New Zealand age-group representatives. For Gaby Prior, Ruby Darvill, and newcomer Cassius Munoz, the event provided valuable experience competing against Auckland's top sprint orienteers.​ Congratulations to all our orienteers for their efforts and representing Howick College with pride. Swimmer Qualifies for NZ Swimming Champs Congratulations to Ethan Doidge (centre) who delivered an outstanding performance at the recent 3-day Division II National Swimming Championships, achieving podium finishes in all five events he entered. His victories in the 1500m and 800m freestyle events both qualified him for the prestigious 2025 Apollo Projects New Zealand Swimming Championships scheduled for May 21–25 at Auckland's Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Centre. This event represents the pinnacle of competitive swimming in New Zealand and also serves as a selection meet for international competitions, including the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Olympic Games Ethan's overall results at the Division II Nationals were as follows:​ 1500m Freestyle – 1st place (Qualified for NZ Open Championships)​ 800m Freestyle – 1st place (Qualified for NZ Open Championships)​ 400m Individual Medley – 2nd place (Just 0.16 seconds shy of the qualifying time)​ 200m Butterfly – 3rd place​ 400m Freestyle – 3rd place​ Ethan's consistent excellence and determination have set a high standard, and we wish him every success in pursuit of his goals. Upcoming Pre-Season Games 1st XV Boys' Rugby Versus: Pukekohe High School Where: Howick College When: Saturday 12 April at 12:00pm HEALTH CENTRE NEWS NZ Blood Collection 2025 ​A huge thank you to all the staff and students who participated in last Friday's blood donation drive, contributing to the well-being of 174 New Zealanders. Ara Marinkovich from the New Zealand Blood Service commended the smooth operation of the day, attributing its success to our dedicated Health Centre team and the help of our student leaders. This year, we achieved 95 registrations—an increase of 20 from last year. Let's aim even higher for next year!​ Free Mobile Dentist Service On Site All Year 9–13 students under 18 years of age who are New Zealand residents are eligible for free dental care through the Ministry of Health. As part of this initiative, Dental Planet Mobile Dental Units will be on-site at Howick College from 7 April – 1 May and 15 September – 3 October 2025, offering free comprehensive dental check-ups and treatment. Dental Planet’s qualified professionals provide services including: Dental examinations Cleaning and polishing Necessary dental treatments (Fluoride treatment, fillings, sealants, etc.) For any questions or further details about the services offered, please contact Dental Planet at 0800 262 2022 or [email protected]. To enrol in the programme and complete the consent form, please click on the link below: Dental Planet Enrolment & Consent Form HOWICK COLLEGE LIBRARY - BOOK OF THE WEEK Banksy's Lost Works by Will Ellsworth-Jones   In this non-fiction book, author and journalist Will Ellsworth-Jones discusses the sold, stolen and destroyed works of Banksy, perhaps one of the most renowned and controversial artists of our time. This is a book about what you can't see: the works that have disappeared entirely, whether destroyed by authorities or whisked into people's private art collections to languish on walls or in collector's vaults. These remarkable works are as elusive as their creator but are documented here for our enjoyment. Considered by many to be one of the greatest living artists in the world and by others to be a rogue vandal with a political agenda, Banksy has scandalised and enlightened the art world since his acts of guerrilla art began to appear on the streets of Barton Hill in Bristol over 25 years ago.