Term 3, Week 3, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Future of Teaching in Great Hands Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College. It has been an enormous privilege over the past two weeks to interview a large number of graduates from teaching programmes in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin. At this time of year, universities offer full-day opportunities for principals from across New Zealand to meet and interview their graduating teachers, many of whom are looking to relocate for their first teaching position. These events are incredibly valuable — and in the case of Dunedin, the principals outnumbered the graduates by a significant margin. The good news is that, even after nearly twenty years of attending these events, I continue to be amazed by the graduates’ enthusiasm, ability to connect with students, and strong subject knowledge. They are passionate young people, determined to make a difference, and clearly see teaching as a meaningful way to do so. Their willingness to contribute to the wider life of a school through co-curricular programmes goes well beyond the standard responses often given in interviews,  they genuinely understand the value of getting involved, both for the benefit of the students and for their own growth as educators. While their planning may still be developing and classroom management remains a work in progress, these are skills that can be taught and refined during their first years of teaching. Currently, at our College, we have 15 teachers in their first or second year of teaching. They are involved in sport, the arts, debating, and a wide range of clubs and service activities. Two of them are also serving their colleagues by leading our local PPTA branch. These early-career teachers are often the first to volunteer for camps and are fully involved in their house communities. In the classroom, they are well on their way to full registration, delivering engaging and purposeful lessons that support student learning. Alongside this, they remain committed to their professional development, working closely with their mentors to continue building their teaching and management skills. I’m always proud when one of my first-year teacher appointments over the years goes on to earn a promotion, gain national recognition, or — as has happened several times recently — becomes a principal. But I’m just as proud when I hear that they’re still in the classroom, teaching full timetables, actively involved in school life, and maintaining the same enthusiasm and determination to make a difference. My daily work alongside our staff, and the glimpse of what’s coming through the next wave of graduates, gives me plenty to be both thankful for and excited about. Have a great  weekend. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Tuesday 5 August Winter Teams & Groups Photos (see the Daily Notices for times) 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 Thursday 14 August KBB Music Festival - Jazz Band 6:30pm - 7:00pm  Monday 18 August Teacher Only Day 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

Y13 PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURES MOMENT

Since joining Howick College from Thailand in 2023, Year 13 student Phonthawat Kudan has quickly earned a reputation as an emerging talent in photography. Often spotted at Athletics Day or key sports fixtures with an impressive camera in hand, his striking images have featured in our yearbooks, newsletters, and across the school’s social media platforms.

Phonthawat first discovered photography just over two years ago, inspired by his mother’s partner. He began with film and quickly developed a passion that moved beyond simply recording memories to creating stunning visual narratives. While his favourite subject remains birds, Phonthawat has recently turned his attention to sports photography and enjoys capturing fast-paced, dynamic moments.

Most recently, Phonthawat was on the sideline for the high-stakes 1st XI Boys’ football clash between Howick College and Macleans College — a match that determined the final qualifying spot for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Premier Football Tournament. One of his photos, taken just after Lucas Bouavong scored a crucial goal, perfectly captured the elation of the moment. The image so impressed the Eastern Times editorial team that it was chosen for the front cover of their latest edition.

His photography teacher Ms Hadleigh describes Phonthawat as a quiet, thoughtful student with a natural eye for composition and a grasp of the more technical aspects of photography who communicates powerfully through his images — despite English being his second language. With clear talent and genuine passion, he hopes to turn his hobby into a career in sports or wildlife photography. We look forward to seeing where it leads him, both behind the lens and beyond Howick College.

EPRO8 TEAMS POWER TO SEMI-FINALS

Two Howick College teams have advanced to the semifinals of the EPro8 Challenge, after an impressive performance in their heat round this week. The competition tested students’ teamwork, creativity, and engineering skills as they raced to complete a series of hands-on challenges under time pressure.

Team 1 (top right), made up of Devin Marshall (Y10), Nathaniel Smith (Y10), Jaydn Arkinstall (Y11), and Olivia Hargreaves Judd (Y10), took second place, while Team 2 (top left), consisting of Josh Powell (Y9), Rhys Dinnis (Y11), Courage Cheng (Y11), and Jacob Powell (Y11), claimed third place. Both teams have earned a spot in the upcoming semi-finals on 12–13 August.

The EPro8 Challenge is a national science and engineering competition that gives students the opportunity to apply practical thinking and innovation in a fun, competitive setting. Success in the heats reflects not only technical ability, but also the students' ability to collaborate and problem-solve effectively under pressure.

Congratulations to all on their outstanding effort and we and look forward to seeing what they achieve in the next round!

DANCE INDUSTRY COMES TO THE CLASSROOM

Year 10 Dance students have had an exciting opportunity this term through a new partnership with Neverland Dance Studios. Over the past few weeks, the students have been working with professional dancer and choreographer Hanae Choi - a talented artist who has recently performed with global pop star Rita Ora.

Hanae brought her industry experience to the classroom, teaching students a high-energy Hip Hop routine and sharing valuable insights from the world of commercial dance. The students embraced the challenge and loved learning from someone actively working in the field.

As an added bonus, Neverland Dance Studios gifted free class passes to students keen to continue developing their skills outside of school hours. We are extremely grateful to Neverland Dance Studios for this enriching opportunity and look forward to more collaborations in the future.

2025 DANCE SHOWCASE

One of the highlights of the Howick College calendar returns this August, as the Dance Department presents Party in the USA — a high-energy showcase celebrating the work of our dance students throughout the year. This dynamic production features a wide range of assessed performances as well as pieces from our many co-curricular dance groups. From Hip Hop and Contemporary to Musical Theatre and Afro, there’s something for everyone. Dates: 13–15 August Time: 7:00pm Venue: Bill Dimery Performing Arts Centre Tickets: $10 Available now through Kindo TICKETS ARE SELLING OUT FAST!!! Don’t miss this celebration of talent, creativity, and movement — it’s going to be a show to remember!

QUEEN'S GUIDE RECOGNISED

Earlier this month, Year 12 student Evie Hollyman was formally presented with the prestigious Queen’s Guide Award at Government House in Wellington by the Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro. This award is the highest honour in GirlGuiding New Zealand, recognising rangatahi who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and personal growth within both their Guiding journey and the wider community.

Evie’s involvement with GirlGuiding began at the age of five, when she joined Pippins, and she has remained dedicated ever since. Today, she helps lead both her local Guide and Ranger units, and is now working towards her adult leadership qualification, mentoring younger members and leading by example.

At Howick College, Evie brings the same level of commitment and positivity. She is an Excellence-level student and actively contributes to school life through a range of service and co-curricular groups, including the Envirogroup, Z Club, Community Council, orchestra, and underwater hockey. Her MacDonald House Dean, Mr Dymond, summed it up best: “Evie is an outstanding student — but more importantly, she is an outstanding citizen.”

Congratulations, Evie, your passion, dedication, and community spirit are an inspiration to us all.

CO-REQUISITE EXAM PREPARATION

The next round of Co-requisite exams will take place in Week 8. These exams are only for students who still need to achieve their Literacy and/or Numeracy credits. To support preparation, lunchtime workshops are available, and all students are welcome to attend — no booking required:

Literacy - Monday in A1
Numeracy - Tuesday in A1

In addition, Tutor Time workshops will run daily for students who require more targeted support. Bookings are essential for these sessions and can be made by students, caregivers, deans, or teachers. If you would like to recommend your child for a Tutor Time workshop, please contact:

Literacy – [email protected]
Numeracy – [email protected]

It is important that students understand the need to take ownership of their preparation. This includes completing tasks at home and attending their booked workshops. All Tutor Time workshops will be held in A Block.

KBB MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025

The KBB Music Festival is one of Auckland’s premier events for young musicians, featuring over 4,500 students from more than 50 schools across the region. The Howick College Jazz Band will be performing on Thursday 14 August from 6:30–7:00pm at St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity Church, Parnell.  Come along, enjoy this free concert and support our talented musicians. For more details visit the KBB Music Festival website.

CAREERS DEPARTMENT 

Crazy Ideas College - Inspiring Future Ready Students

The creativity and innovation of more than 400 of our brilliant Year 11 students was recently on full display as they took part in the Future Ready programme, facilitated by Crazy Ideas College.

The Future Ready workshop encouraged students to explore their passions while considering how changes in technology, the environment, and society could shape their future careers. It also looked at the key employability skills that will be vital as they move into the workforce. Students developed bold and ambitious visions of the future, reflecting on how the decisions they make now can lead them toward a life well lived.

Each student left the session with a personalised ‘Future Ready Plan’, outlining the next steps in their education and future career pathways. Through CIC’s partnership with IBM, students were also introduced to IBM SkillsBuild, a digital platform offering micro-credentials and essential workplace and life skills.

Upcoming University Visits 

Universities will be returning from next week to support Year 13 students with course planning and provide guidance on the transition from school to university.

Monday 4 August – University of Otago, 1:40 PM, H3
Thursday 7 August – University of Auckland, 1:40 PM, H3
Monday 11 August – Massey University, 1:40 PM, H3
Thursday 28 August - Waikato University, 10.50am, H3

Howick College Careers Month

The Careers Department is launching a full month of events and activities designed to inspire and inform students across all year levels. From alumni talks to CV workshops and fun challenges, there’s something for everyone.

Week 4 – Alumni Presentations
Hear from former Howick College students as they share their pathways through industries such as health, business, law, engineering, and beauty.

Week 5 – CV Workshops
Get career-ready with tailored CV sessions in H3 at 10:50am.

Week 6 – Careers Fun Week
Join in the fun with daily activities and great prizes up for grabs!

Stay tuned for daily updates via the Howick College Careers Instagram and Google Classroom.

Y9 2026 ENROLMENT INFORMATION EVENING

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

On Thursday 18 September, Howick College will host our 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony honoring athlete, author,  motivational speaker and mental health advocate, Steve Gurney, whose remarkable achievements continue to inspire our school community. This event will celebrate Steve's outstanding contributions and provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to hear from someone who has made a significant impact in their field. If you would like to attend this ceremony or feel your child would benefit from this inspiring occasion, please RSVP to [email protected] by August 21st, 2025. Please note that seating is limited, so early confirmation is appreciated. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with our school community. You can learn more about Steve Gurney here: https://www.stevegurney.co.nz/

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

SPORTS NEWS

1st XI Girl's Football Eye Premier League 

Congratulations to our 1st XI Girls’ Football team on an impressive conclusion to their A1 League season. The team secured second place on the table following a determined 0–0 draw against Onehunga High School, a result that not only capped a strong campaign, but also earned them a Premier League playoff opportunity for 2026.

In a busy week of football, the team also faced Takapuna Grammar in the Premier APC Knockout Cup. After an intense first half that ended 2–2, Takapuna edged ahead in extra time to claim a narrow 3–2 win. Special mention goes to Sarah Enslin for her two goals, and to Lucy Fyfe for her exceptional performance in goal.

We are extremely proud of the team’s progress and resilience, and we look forward to supporting them through the remainder of the season as they build towards Tournament Week.

Undefeated 1st XV Girls Through to Semi-Finals 

Our 1st XV Girls’ Rugby team capped off an exceptional season, finishing undefeated at the top of the table. Monday's match against Mount Albert Grammar ended early due to injury, with Howick leading 24–5, thanks to  tries from Asha Taumoepeau-Williams (3) and Teri-Jade Kaisa (1), and two conversions from Rochelle Christie. Over the past eight games, the team has scored an impressive 426 points while conceding just 66 — a true reflection of their skill, teamwork, and determination.

The girls now prepare to face Epsom Girls Grammar at home in the semi-finals on Monday 4 August at 4:00pm. We encourage our community to come along and support our talented players as they push towards the finals.

Women's Rugby - Reps & Refs on the Rise

The representative rugby season is now underway, with a number of current and former students trialling for regional teams, including the Auckland Storm and Thunder squads, as well as Auckland South/East U16 and U18 teams. Congratulations to the following players who have been named in the 2024 Counties Manukau Heat Women’s Squad:

Maddison-Rose Motuliki (Y12), Ffion Penney (Y13), Abby Lockhart (2021), Paige Makiri (2021), and Teuila Sotutu (2018).

Congratulations also go to Liv Munro (Y12), who is making her mark as an up-and-coming rugby referee. Liv continues to progress in her officiating career and is steadily moving up the refereeing pathway.

We wish all these students the very best — your dedication and drive are an inspiration.

Premier Teams Sports Draw - Week 4

MONDAY 4 AUGUST
1st XV Girls' Rugby vs Epsom Girls' Grammar, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 4:00pm

TUESDAY 5 AUGUST
1st XI Boys' Football vs King's College, Venue: King's College Field 1, Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Premier Boys' Basketball vs Waiheke High School, Venue: HOME, Start: 6:00pm
Senior Open Underwater Hockey vs Mt Albert Grammar School, Venue: West Wave Pool, Start: 8:40pm 

WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST
1st XI Boys' Hockey - BYE
1st XI Girls' Football vs Selwyn College, Venue: Selwyn College, Kick-off: 4:00pm
Netball - Combined Points Tournament  Venue: ANC, All Day

THURSDAY 7 AUGUST
1st XI Girls' Hockey vs Westlake Girls' High School, Venue: LEP Turf 1, Start: 4:30pm

FRIDAY 8 AUGUST
1st XI Boys' Football vs Rangitoto College, Venue: Ashley reserve Field 1, Kick-Off: 6:00pm

SATURDAY 9 AUGUST
Premier 1 Netball vs Avondale College, Venue: ANC Court A, Start:11:30am
1st XV Boys' Rugby vs TBA, Venue: TBA, Kick-off: TBA

Correction - Men's Netball Coach

In last week’s newsletter, the men’s netball coach was incorrectly named. We would like to acknowledge and thank Kylie Grey for her coaching and support of the team. We apologise for the error.

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

Air by John Boyne