Term 1, Week 8, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Tēnā  koutou, e te whānau o Howick College, Last week, I watched Adolescence on Netflix. This four-part series has attracted significant global attention, with 24 million viewers tuning in within its first four days. Viewing it through the eyes of a parent and educator left me feeling shocked and helpless, especially given my limited understanding of the digital landscape portrayed.​ This drama highlights the corrosive impact that social media and misogynistic influencers can have on some teenage boys. It deals specifically with the "manosphere," modern masculinity, and online bullying. It is not surprising that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for government action to address this escalating issue. ​ For me, this series serves as yet another cautionary tale about getting teenagers off screens and engaging with real life again. It reminds us that human contact and family time might help save our teens and help them better navigate this space safely. It sends a clear message to us as parents to support, talk, and listen, ensuring our children don't disappear down the digital rabbit hole. Watching with your teens or just watching by yourself, will open conversations that desperately need to be had.​ (To view the trailer, click here.) While I certainly don't have all the answers, implementing measures like cellphone bans at school has definitely helped. I believe introducing an age of consent for social media usage is a logical next step - a concept currently under consideration in several Australian states. Other advice from parents tackling this challenge includes not being afraid to monitor your children's online activities (know what they're watching and who they're engaging with), minimising screen time, fostering face-to-face relationships, and spending more time together as a family. I have found that while engaging in open dialogues with teenagers is effective, it's crucial to listen actively. Reaffirming our unconditional love is vital—they need to know they are worthy of your love no matter what. Have a great weekend. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Tuesday 1 April Tongan Group Po Fiafia Fundraiser, Lunchtime Food Stall in C Block Thursday 3 April NCEA Level 1 Drama Performances 5:30pm in the Theatre. Friday 4 April  NZ Blood Collection Monday 7 April Non-Uniform Day - House Colours Monday 7 - Thursday 10 April Senior Drama Production - Te Awarua Monday 7 - Friday 11 April Spirit Week  Tuesday 8 April - Friday May 2 Dental Planet on Site Friday 11 April  Term 1 Ends Friday 18 April Good Friday Monday 21 April Easter Monday Friday 25 April ANZAC Day Monday 28 April Term 2 Begins Saturday 24 May School Ball  *Girls' Rugby 7s Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser  Every Thursday at Lunchtime During Term 1

MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES

Library team from left: Mrs Adams, Mrs Ryan, and Ms King.

At Howick College, a dedicated team works behind the scenes to support our students and staff. Over the next few weeks, we will introduce you to the key individuals who help keep our school running smoothly.

THE LIBRARY TEAM
The library is located in G Block. After nearly two years of operating out of a classroom during renovations, the library staff are enjoying being back in the revamped space. The library is open from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, five days a week. It offers an inviting and comfortable environment where students can read, study, play chess, complete a jigsaw puzzle, or use the photocopier/printer.

Ms King - Library Manager.
Among other things, Ms King is responsible for purchasing library books and resources, ensuring the curriculum is supported and for the layout of online library catalogue. Ms King has made promoting reading a priority in her work. She believes the ability to read is fundamental to academic success and personal enrichment.

Mrs Ryan - Librarian
Mrs Ryan catalogues most of our print resources and is also responsible for collating the large collection of digital resources available to students via the library catalogue. Mrs Ryan is our printing ‘troubleshooter’ and students know they can rely on her for help with almost any query they may have.

Mrs Adams  - Resources Administrator
Mrs Adams is the latest addition to the library team. She joined us in June of 2023. In her previous job, Mrs Adams was the Business Support Team Leader for Upper Hutt City Libraries. While she is incredibly over-qualified for the work she does here as our Resources Administrator, we are very grateful for her invaluable experience.

You can view the Howick College online library catalogue here. Don’t forget to check out the various dashboards.

FLASH FICTION COMPETITION WINNERS

Front: Nathan Cox, Rylee Barrett, Libby Morgan, Eva McDonald, Hannah Klenner.  Back: Mr Burden and Mrs Fleet (English).

Once again, our Y9 -13 English students were challenged to impress us with their creative writing skills in the termly Flash Fiction Writing Competition. This term the writing brief required that the stories:

• Started with a question
• Included or used some version of the words jam, jackpot and jungle
• End with the word crash
• Have a maximum of 187 words

Congratulations to the following year level winners:
Year 13: 1st place - Nathan Cox, 2nd place - Zane Vaness,  3rd place - Stella Donaldson
Year 12: 1st place - Rylee Barrett, 2nd place - Amy Gao, 3rd place - Adithi Pandey
Year 11: 1st place - Libby Morgan,  2nd place - Jessica Royer,  3rd place - Niek Erkilla
Year 10:  1st place - Eva McDonald, 2nd place - Ava Knoeson, 3rd equal - Sol Meshulam-Weiss & Giuliana Hancock
Year 9: 1st place - Hannah Klenner,  2nd place - James Tinson, 3rd equal - Caleb Brooks & Lovell Walker

SGCNZ COSTUME DESIGNER

Left: Casey Ferguson's costume design for Friar Lawrence  Right: Casey models her 2022 award winning creation. 

Year 12 Textiles and Design student Casey Fergusson has entered the 2025 SGCNZ Costume Design Competition, a prestigious event challenging students to create costumes for Shakespearean characters that are both visually striking on stage and practical for the actors who must wear them. Her design for the well-intentioned but foolish Friar Lawrence in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet will be judged alongside entries from across the country, with the winning costumes set to be constructed and exhibited at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.

Casey, who also studies Drama, has designed a costume for Friar Lawrence that cleverly reflects the character’s role in the play. The main garment is blue, representing the Montague family, while hidden red satin at the hem symbolises the Capulets, representing the Friar’s divided loyalties. The sword incorporated into the cassock’s front resembles a cross, suggests how his well-intended actions ultimately contributed to the tragic fate of the star-crossed couple.

A committed member of the Howick College Costume Design Club, Casey has already made her mark in the world of costume design. In 2022 she and her team won the Eye on Nature Wearable Arts Competition with their entry, Witches' Garden (pictured right) and last year, she and her design partner, Sophie Hunapo, won the Excellence in Construction Award at the 2024 Showquest Toi Costume Design Competition for their stunning design, What the Stars See. Throughout her journey as a costume designer, Casey has been supported by the club's dedicated teacher-in-charge and TiC of Textiles and Design, Mrs Nikki Metcalfe. 

We wish Casey the very best and look forward to seeing her design talents continue to shine!

FAREWELL TO OUR JAPANESE STUDENTS

Our departing Japanese students with International Director Mrs Lisa Crossley.

​On Thursday, the International Department bid farewell to 12 students from Japan. During their time at Howick College, these students enriched our community as global citizens, enhancing the cultural diversity of our learning environment.​

As a memento of their experience, each student received a Kiwi souvenir, serving as a lasting reminder of their time in New Zealand. Their visit was filled with memorable experiences, including exploring our stunning landscapes and engaging in unique adventures such as visiting Hobbiton, kayaking, and fishing. One student even won a youth fishing competition by catching the second largest snapper, earning a $100 prize!

The students leave with fond memories of their time with their host families and the friendships they have made. We wish them all a safe journey home and hope they cherish their New Zealand experience for years to come.

Farewell and best wishes!
Sayōnara, anzen na tabi o!

MOTH PLANT ERADICATION COMPETITION

Left: Moth plant  Right: Envirogroup Leaders, Jacob Powell and Courage Chang, with 95 moth plant pods

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 plant to rapidly colonise 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.

What to 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.

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 Eduaction Providers' Visits

Who: Yoobee College of Creative Innovation
What: New Zealand’s largest specialist creative and technology college. Offering practical training in design, tech, animation, film & marketing. 
When: Tuesday 1st April, 1:40pm (lunchtime)
Where: H3

Who: Whitecliffe
What: Whitecliffe offers a variety of programmes across the departments of fine arts, design, fashion design, IT and creative art therapies. 
When: Thursday 3rd April, 1:40pm (lunchtime)
Where: H3

NCEA LITERACY AND NUMERACY WORKSHOPS

Workshops will run over the last three weeks of this term and the first three weeks of Term 2 to help prepare students for the NCEA Co-Requisite exams in Week 4 and 5 of Term 2. All students are welcome to attend any of the following lunchtime workshops. Literacy - Mondays at lunchtime in A1 Week 9 - Writing: How to start my writing? What do I need to include in my work? Week 10 - Writing: Grammar multi-choice questions - How to choose the best option? Numeracy - Tuesdays at lunchtime in C18 Week 9 - Process Idea 1: How to solve problems Week 10 - Process Idea 2: Using maths and statistics to solve problems 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 WHY SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP MATTERS Sponsorship makes a huge difference! With the support of amazing sponsors, we can give students more opportunities, better resources, and exciting programs in academics, sports, and the arts. Your support helps us create an environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential. Interested in learning about sponsorship? Get in touch with Kate Pike at [email protected]. SPORTS NEWS Sanix World Rugby Tournament Countdown   ​As the countdown to the Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament continues, we continue our player spotlight series. This week, we are introducing Year 12 student and 7s prop, Ruby Holloway. A powerful presence on the field, Ruby brings determination and heart to the game. Goal: “My personal goal is to build my confidence.” Motto: “Let all that you do be done in love.” Ruby has been a key part of the team’s journey to Sanix, working hard to develop her skills and contribute to the squad’s success. With her strong work ethic and positive mindset, she’s ready to take on the challenge ahead! Girls' Rugby - Coach's Update As the departure date for Japan approaches, our rugby girls are diligently balancing preparations for both the 7s and 15s formats. Despite the absence of local 7s tournaments, which presents a challenge in achieving game fitness, our girls remain committed and adaptable. To address this, we have adjusted our training schedule, transitioning from two 15s on-field sessions and one 7s session per week to three dedicated 7s training sessions  In a recent initiative to support our rugby programs, we hosted the inaugural Howick College Rugby Golf Day. The event was a resounding success, selling out with 19 men's and women's teams participating. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants and supporters who contributed to this achievement, especially RSM, Topcoat and Synergy Properties. Our 15s girls' team also engaged in a preseason game against Rosehill College. The match began with scrag scenarios and culminated in two 5-minute tackle games. This initial run provided valuable experience, particularly for our younger players, and offered the 7s girls an opportunity to enhance their contact fitness. The exposure and experience gained by our emerging talents are promising indicators of our program's long-term success.​ We are proud of the dedication and resilience demonstrated by our players and coaching staff. Their unwavering commitment continues to drive the strength and unity of rugby at Howick College. 1st XI Boys Cricket - Home Game Victories What an outstanding week it has been for our 1st XI boys! On Tuesday, the team claimed a thrilling victory against Takapuna Grammar School. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the boys posted a solid total of 228 runs, highlighted by Sam Read's well-paced 75 runs and Jack Read's 65 runs. In response, our bowlers effectively defended the target, dismissing Takapuna with 10 runs to spare. The wickets were shared among the bowlers, with Trent McVeigh delivering an impressive spell of 2/27 off 10 overs, maintaining an economical rate of 2.7 runs per over (more photos of the match can be viewed here). This was followed on Thursday by an extraordinary display of batting prowess. Batting first, the team claimed an unprecedented victory against local rivals Botany Downs Secondary College, amassing a staggering total of 453 runs off 50 overs! This remarkable achievement was highlighted by standout performances from several key players.​ Congratulations to Ewald Englebrecht and Kamal Singh (pictured above) on their spectacular innings, each achieving their maiden centuries while building a 153 run partnership. Kamal scored 125 off 113 balls and Ewald reached 105 off just 43 balls. Well done also to Jack Read who contributed a very handy 77 off 44 balls, narrowly missing out on his own century. In response, Botany Downs was bowled out for 143, with Howick's bowlers sharing the wickets to take a comprehensive win and firmly lock in their place at the top of the 1A competition table! The team would like to express their deep appreciation for the enthusiastic support they received from students, staff and parents during the match, which contributed to their well-deserved success. Golfer Wins Stroke Play Championship Year 12 golfer, Peneueta Welton, displayed exceptional skill and composure at the College Sport Auckland Secondary Schools Stroke Play Championships, held on March 24th and 26th. The two-day tournament featured Round 1 at Windross Farm Golf Course followed by Round 2 at Clarks Beach Golf Course.​ On Day 1, Peneueta delivered a solid performance, shooting a 71 to tie for third place, just two strokes behind the leader. On Day 2 he scored 69 taking his total to 3 under par, resulting in a three-way tie for the lead. Peneueta claimed the championship title on countback, highlighting his consistent performance throughout the tournament.​ Congratulations Peneueta on your impressive accomplishment, we look forward to your continued success in future golfing competitions. Sports Draw for Week 9 Sports Notices JUNIOR RUGBY Sessions will start next Tuesday, 1 April,  after school on the fields. Open to all players under 2nd XV Rugby. HEALTH CENTRE NEWS Gastroenteristis on the Rise We have notice and increase in the number of students requiring to be sent home with gastroenteritis symptoms. Gastroenteritis is highly contagious and can be caused by norovirus, rotavirus, salmonella, campylobacter and cryptosporidium. Students are to stay at home if they have any of the following symptoms:  Diarrhoea  Nausea (with or without vomiting) Stomach pain Fever They can return to school when they have been without symptoms for 48 hours. To prevent the spread of gastroenteritis: Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.  Regularly clean and disinfect rooms and surfaces, particularly frequently touched objects, bathrooms, and toilets. Keep spaces well-ventilated by opening windows and doors several times a day to increase fresh air flow. See your GP NZ Blood Collection at Howick College The New Zealand Blood Service will be at school on Friday 4 April for their annual collection. If you are over 16 years of age, weigh over 50 kgs and in good health, come and sign up to give blood in the Student Office foyer on Monday 31 March. You can also sign up in the library - all you need on the day is your student ID. HOWICK COLLEGE LIBRARY - BOOK OF THE WEEK   The Race to be Myself  by Caster Semenya This is a powerful account of a woman's journey to run free. Banned from the sport she loved because she was labelled 'different', Olympic and World Champion Caster Semenya is finally ready to share the vivid and blisteringly honest story of how the world came to know her name. Thrust into the spotlight after winning the 2009 World Championships Caster Semenya quickly became the centre of a debate which continues today about gender in sports, and the right to compete as you are. From her rural beginnings running in the dust, to crushing her opponents on the track. To the falsehoods spread about her name, and the many trials she has been forced to endure publicly and privately, this is Caster's time to set the record straight and share her story of how she became a defiant champion. Throughout it all Caster has found triumph in her strong will, her community and her family. Caster's story is our story, and testimony to anyone forced to stop doing what they love.