Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College,
 Vaping among teenagers remains a serious concern, even as recent data shows a slow decline in usage. With evidence mounting about the health risks, and schools grappling daily with the issue, it's clear more needs to be done.
The 2024 ASH Year 10 Survey, the largest and most representative study of young people’s smoking and vaping behaviour in New Zealand, shows that regular vaping rates have declined for the third year in a row, but still remain worryingly high. Based on responses from more than 30,000 students, the survey found that 14.1% of 14 and 15 year-olds reported vaping at least once a month, down from a peak of 20.2% in 2021. Daily vaping also dropped to 8.7%, after holding steady at 10% since 2021.
In response, the New Zealand government has implemented a range of measures aimed at regulating vaping and protecting children and young people. These include banning disposable vapes, restricting advertising and retail displays, and increasing penalties for selling to minors. Additional regulations have been introduced around product safety, such as requiring removable batteries, child safety mechanisms, and limits on nicotine concentrations. While these steps represent really good progress, I am hopeful that we will see stronger regulation in future to align more closely with the comprehensive approach adopted in Australia.
In many, if not all, secondary schools, including our own, vaping continues to be a daily occurrence for far too many students. Schools are investing significant time and resources into surveillance cameras, monitoring, toilet redesign, and educating both students and parents in an effort to reduce usage.
The medical evidence is clear: vaping is not only anti-social but also seriously harmful to health. In addition to being highly addictive due to the high levels of nicotine, vaping causes lung damage that leads to chronic inflammation, scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs, and long-term respiratory issues such as asthma, coughing, and shortness of breath. It has also been linked to cardiovascular problems and, most recently, EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury).
If that weren't enough, vaping introduces harmful substances into the body, including heavy metals, formaldehyde, and acrolein — all known to cause a range of health problems. For teenagers with developing brains, the high levels of nicotine can disrupt development in areas responsible for learning and mood regulation.
Vaping is a serious problem. If you or someone at home is dealing with nicotine addiction, we are here to help. Please contact our counselling team or your child’s dean for support.
I remain hopeful that the government will take stronger action, including closing down vape shops completely, and follow Australia’s lead. In the meantime, we will continue to do our part at Howick College to educate our students, offer them support to quit, and enforce clear consequences for vaping.
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Have a great weekend.
Dale Burden
Principal/Tumuaki
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King's Birthday - Public Holiday
Tuesday 3 - Friday 6 June
Pride Week
Wednesday 4 June
2026 Enrolments Open
Tuesday 10 & Thursday 12 June
Y13 Drama presents The Odyssey
Wednesday 11 & Friday 13
Y13 Drama presents Yerma
Wednesday 11 June
School Board Meeting
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday 18 June
NCEA Drama Performances
7:00 - 9:00pm
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
Tuesday 24 - Friday 27 June
Cultural Week
Thursday 26 June
International Food Festival
Non-Uniform Day
Friday 27 June
Last Day Term 2
Monday 14 July
Term 3 begins
Tuesday 15 July
Parent Teacher Interviews
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Monday 21 July
Inter-House Bake-Off Competition
Tuesday 22 July
Parent Teacher Interviews
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 July from 6:00 - 8:00pm
NCEA Music Concerts
Thursday 31 July
Y10 Subject Selection Evening
6:00 - 8:00pm
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SENIOR BALL - A NIGHT TO REMEMBER This year’s School Ball, held on last Saturday evening at the Ellerslie Event Centre, was a wonderful celebration for our senior students. The atmosphere was one of elegance and enjoyment, and it was especially pleasing to see our students representing themselves and the school with such maturity and respect throughout the evening.
Special thanks to Ms Marsick and the Year 13 Student Council for their outstanding work in organising the event. Many hours of planning went into creating a night that will be remembered long after our students leave Howick College.
It was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all — and our students looked exceptional!
THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES A well-maintained school environment doesn’t happen by chance. From early starts to unexpected repairs, the caretaking team plays a vital role in keeping our facilities safe, functional, and ready for learning. This week, we shine a light on the hard-working duo behind it all — Roger Hagglund (seated) and Brian McKeown.
Mr Hagglund, who has been with Howick College since 2018, is our full-time caretaker. A qualified fitter and turner, he brings a wealth of industry experience to the role. His day begins with unlocking the grounds and checking for any overnight issues. From there, no two days are the same. He manages a wide range of maintenance tasks — from roof repairs and lighting to furniture fixes and coordinating external contractors, such as Turf Tech, who look after our lawn care and tree maintenance. He also responds to after-hours fire and security alarms.
Mr McKeown joined the team in 2023 and works part-time, supporting Mr Hagglund with daily tasks and larger projects. With a background in farming and a former career as an automotive mechanic, Mr McKeown brings practical know-how and a hands-on approach to every job. This skilled and reliable team greatly enjoy the variety of their work, both indoor and out, and take real pride in ensuring everything is operating as it should.
ASPIRING CHEFS IMPRESS MIT JUDGES Left: Mitchell Somfan, Kalos Bryers, Shaelei Kirby, Monica John, Calleigh Hopkins, Dakota Glass and Mrs Helanie Willemse
 Six talented Food Technology students, lead by Mrs Helanie Willemse (HoD Food technology), proudly showcased their culinary skills at the prestigious MIT Chef’s Competition on 20 May. After weeks of dedicated preparation - refining recipes, honing techniques, and mastering the demands of live cooking- the team competed against top young chefs from across the region and achieved an outstanding set of results.
Congratulations on the following awards:
Shaelei Kirby (Year 11, centre) impressed judges in the Live Cook Pasta competition, taking home gold for her delicious Chicken Carbonara — a creamy, egg yolk-based pasta topped with seared chicken thigh, parmesan, and basil.
Monica John (Year 13, centre left) earned silver for her decadent Chocolate Pistachio Cake (2nd from right), finished with chocolate ganache and pistachio cream. Monica also competed in the Live Cook Pasta category, receiving silver for her handmade fusilli pasta tossed with basil pesto, fresh basil, and lemon.
Kalos Bryers (Year 13, centre right) competed in two Live Cook categories and earned silver in both. In the Live Cook Breakfast event, he prepared Baghdad-Spiced Fried Eggs with duck and black pudding sausage, blueberry ketchup, sumac spinach, and fried ciabatta. In the Live Cook Pasta event, he served orecchiette filled with ricotta and spinach, baked in passata, topped with parmigiano reggiano and crisp sage leaves, and accompanied by a caprese salad.
Dakota Glass (Year 12) was awarded silver for her beautifully presented Lemon Raspberry Cake (2nd from left). Her soft lemon sponge was layered with a bright raspberry filling, raspberry buttercream, lemon curd, and garnished with crushed pistachios and dried raspberries.
Calleigh Hopkins (Year 12) received silver for her refined Earl Grey Tea Cake (far left), filled with lemon curd and layered with white chocolate ganache and Swiss meringue buttercream.
Mitchell Somfan (Year 13) was awarded bronze for his classic Carrot Cake (far right), topped with cream cheese, nuts, and raisins.
These remarkable achievements reflect the students’ creativity, discipline, and enthusiasm for their craft. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they represented Howick College at such a high level. Their success highlights the strength of our Food Technology programme and the dedication of both our students and staff.
MEET YOUR BOARD - PARENT VOICES IN LEADERSHIP | | In the lead-up to this year’s Board elections in September, we will be sharing a series of profiles from our current Board members. These reflections are a chance to hear directly from those already serving about what motivates them, what they have learned, and why they believe contributing to the Board makes a difference.
This week, we hear from our Board Presiding Member, Miles Stratford. Mr Stratford has served on the Howick College Board for the past six years and in his current capacity since 2022. He runs his own environmental testing business and also provides business coaching services. Mr Stratford has supported the College in various ways, including coaching the Second XI football team for two years.
If you would like to know more about what is involved in becoming a Board member, please email him directly at [email protected].
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What motivated you to join the Board?
I wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the direction of my children's school. Being involved in governance appealed to me — especially the opportunity to support leadership that raises expectations and drives positive change for students and staff.
What have you gained from being involved with the Board?
Much more than it costs me in terms of time. I feel more connected to what’s happening at the College and know I’m contributing to its direction. Howick College is a significant organisation, and serving on the Board has deepened my understanding of governance, something that’s been valuable in both my personal and professional life.
Why should others consider putting themselves forward as candidates?
Schools have a profound impact on both individuals and communities. Boards play a crucial role in shaping that impact. If making a difference matters to you, I encourage you to get involved. Howick College is on a mission to inspire a community of passionate learners - and that includes our parent and caregiver community. Being part of this Board has challenged me to learn, grow, and develop in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
What’s the biggest difference you feel you’ve made by being on the Board?
I’m a strong believer in the power of lived values. Howick College has clearly defined values, and I’ve consistently advocated for them to guide our behaviours and decisions. The Board used these values as the foundation for our process in appointing a new principal. I believe Dale Burden’s appointment will be remembered as a turning point - the moment when Howick College began its journey from being a good school to becoming a great one.
SENIOR SPANISH QUIZ COMPETITION 2025 Back: Callum Edwards and Ella Coleman Front: Spanish TiC, Mr Alveraz-Prado, Ella Hackett and Eva Malez Ocampos. | | Four of our senior Spanish students proudly represented Howick College at the recent Senior Spanish Quiz Competition. Competing against 18 teams from across the North Island, our students -Callum Edwards and Ella Coleman (Y13SPA), Ella Hackett, and Eva Malez Ocampos (Y12SPA) - secured an impressive 4th place overall.
The quiz challenged students on a wide range of topics related to the Spanish-speaking world, including music, geography, and famous landmarks across the 21 Hispanic countries. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge beyond the classroom and engage deeply with the richness of Hispanic culture.
This event offered an invaluable learning experience and highlighted the students' dedication and enthusiasm for language learning. Our team were true ambassadors of our 4Cs values demonstrating Courtesy, Commitment, Courage, and Curiosity throughout the evening.
¡Felicidades equipo! We are incredibly proud of you.
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INTERNATIONAL PEN-PAL PROJECT Members of the Year 9 Future Studies with letter from their pen-pals.
This term, Miss McKeown and Miss Song’s Year 9 Future Studies classes partnered with Mr Warren — a former student teacher at Howick College, now teaching in Canada — for a global letter exchange.
Students in Mr Warren’s Year 8 class at Jeanne Sauvé Public School in Ontario wrote letters full of questions about life and high school in New Zealand. Although they are the same age as our Year 9s, they won’t begin high school until next year. Our students responded thoughtfully, sharing their experiences and perspectives while developing key Future Studies capabilities such as empathy, global awareness, and clear communication.
Revisiting the art of letter writing also supported their preparation for the end-of-term formal writing task: creating “future food” recipe books that require precision, creativity, and a global outlook. Well done to everyone involved in this meaningful exchange — a great reminder that learning can connect us across any distance.
CAREERS DEPARTMENT NEWSHands-On Barista Training | | Eighteen students recently completed an onsite barista course at school, gaining valuable practical skills and earning NCEA credits in the process. Through hands-on training, they learned how to operate commercial coffee machines, prepare a range of hot beverages, and deliver quality customer service.
This achievement not only contributes to their academic progress but also equips them with industry-relevant skills that can open doors to part-time work or future careers in hospitality.
Well done to all involved!
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Upcoming Education Provider VisitsUNITEC
What: Unitec are coming to Howick College to talk about courses on offer and life on campus.
When: Friday 6 June, 1:40pm (lunchtime)
Where: H3
SENIOR DRAMA PRODUCTIONS The Odyssey – Splendid Theatre’s adaptation retells the epic journey of Odysseus and his famously inconvenient return home from the Trojan War. A decade of adventures is packed into a breathless hour of high-energy storytelling. A heroic cast of multi-roling performers brings to life a mythical world filled with hungry monsters, devious sorceresses, and frequent shipwrecks, as the ever-resourceful Odysseus battles to return to his family. A classic tale reimagined with pace, humour, and theatrical flair.
Directed by: Isabella Murray & Aria Russell
Tickets: $10 via your myKindo account. Members of the public can purchase tickets online via Kindo here.
Door sales also available. PG
 Yerma -The second play in García Lorca's renowned rural trilogy, Yerma was written and first performed in 1934. Described by Lorca as "a tragic poem," the play explores the powerful forces of fate and societal expectation in rural Spain, ultimately sealing a young woman’s destiny. Yerma centres on its title character, whose desperate longing for motherhood grows into a consuming obsession — one that leads her down a dark and tragic path.
Direct by: Courtney McAnally & Mrs Dryden
Tickets: $10 via your myKindo account. Members of the public can purchase tickets online via Kindo here.
Door sales also available. PG Suitable for year 11+
BOOKS FOR STARSHIP CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | | The Howick College Academic Council has launched a new initiative to support young patients at Starship Children’s Hospital through the gift of reading.
As part of this drive, the Council is collecting new and pre-loved picture books, interactive storybooks, fairy tales, and early learning books in good condition. These donations will be delivered to Starship, where they’ll help bring comfort, entertainment, and a sense of normality to children undergoing treatment.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already contributed to our cause - every book makes a difference!
Please leave your donations at the Student Office.
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SPORTS NEWSFirst XV Boys Three for Three Our 1st XV boys delivered a clinical and cohesive performance to secure a commanding 43–7 win over Waitākere College on Saturday. Dominating from the opening whistle, Howick surged to a 33–0 halftime lead off the back of relentless forward play and sharp, structured attack. The forwards laid the foundation with strong carries and clean breakdown work, allowing the backs to strike with precision.
Waitākere found their footing late in the match with a consolation try, but the result was never in doubt. Coach John Faamausili says he was impressed with the team’s intensity, structure, and discipline. Their performance reflects the strong form and cohesion the squad has developed this season. Congratulations to Player of the Day, Matt Pauling, recognised for his all-round impact, smart decision-making, and tireless work rate.
After a well-earned break over King’s Birthday weekend, the boys are turning their attention to a key clash at home against Avondale College on Saturday 7 June. With only one point between them, it’s set to be a fierce and exciting battle for the top of the table— and our boys are ready to rise to the challenge. Make sure to get down to the sidelines and show your support!
Special thanks to Walker Homes Ltd – proudly supporting the future of Howick College Rugby.
Howick College Football On Fire! Congratulations to our First XI Girls’ Football team, who continued their impressive start to the season with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Avondale College this week. Goals from Kyah Walmsley and Maaike Wesseling sealed the victory, while a standout performance from Lucy Fyfe in goal helped keep the opposition at bay.
The team now turns its attention to next week’s fixture against Onehunga High School, as they look to maintain their early momentum and keep the wins coming. Well done, team!
 Meanwhile, our Boys’ First XI has also made an impressive start to the Knockout Cup competition, securing a commanding 4–1 home victory over Pukekohe High School this week. The team came out firing and maintained control throughout the match with sharp passing, solid defence, and clinical finishing.
(To see more photos of the match taken by Y13 photographer, Phonthawat Kudan, visit our Facebook page.)
Rowing Give-it-a-Go Days Premier Teams Sports Draw - Week 6MONDAY 2 JUNE
Kings Birthday Weekend - No Games
TUESDAY 3 JUNE
Premier Boys' Basketball vs Waiheke College, Venue: HOME GAME, Start: 5:00pm
Snr Open Underwater Hockey vs Mahurangi College, Venue: Manurewa Aquatic Centre, Start: 7:40pm
WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE
Howick 1 Badminton vs Edgewater College, Venue: Lloyd Elsmore Hall, Start: 3:30pm
1st XI Boys' Football vs King's College, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 3:00pm
1st XI Girls' Football vs Onehunga College, Venue: Onehunga College Kick-off: 4:00pm
1st XI Boys' Hockey vs Avondale College, Venue: Avondale College Turf 1, Start: 5:00pm
THURSDAY 5 JUNE
1st XI Girls' Hockey vs TBC, Venue: TBC, Start: TBC
FRIDAY 6 JUNE
1st XI Boys' Football vs Rangitoto College, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 3:15pm
SATURDAY 7 JUNE
1st XV Boys' Rugby vs Avondale College, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 12:00pm
Premier 1 Netball vs St Cuthbert's College, Venue: Auckland Netball Centre Court C, Start: 11:30am
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]
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HOWICK COLLEGE LIBRARY - BOOK OF THE WEEK |
