Term 3, Week 1, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL What Gets Measured, Gets Done Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Howick College. Often in life, what gets measured gets done, and this is very much the case in schools and across our education system. As soon as there is a degree of transparency, a system-wide focus, a government initiative with published results, or even an ERO visit, sharper focus follows, and progress is made. The current government’s focus on attendance is both welcome and long overdue, as school attendance has been steadily declining since 2012 — a trend that accelerated following COVID. There are many reasons for this decline, but until recently, there has been far too much hand-wringing and not enough action. Once the government made it clear that attendance was a priority, and that both the Education Review Office and the Ministry of Education would be monitoring progress, the sector sharpened its focus. Given the direct link between school attendance and student achievement, this is vital work. At our College, we have reviewed all attendance-related policies and procedures. This review identified several areas for development, and we have taken steps to improve our systems. One significant change has been the appointment of Christine Grouse to the newly created role of Attendance Liaison, providing valuable administrative support to our Deans and Tutors. This change process has been a genuine team effort involving teachers, Deans, Tutors, senior leaders, and support staff — all superbly led by Deputy Principal Michelle Heather. The results so far are promising and show a strong upward trend (please see the table below). What gets measured, gets done. Have a great  weekend. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Tuesday 22 July Parent Teacher Interviews 4:00pm - 7:00pm Wednesday 23 July School Board Meeting, 5:30pm   Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 July from 7:00 - 9:00pm NCEA Music Concerts Thursday 31 July Y10 Subject Selection Evening 6:00 - 8:00pm Tuesday 5 August Winter Teams & Groups Photos 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 Wednesday 20 August NCEA Drama Performances  6:00 - 8:00pm Thursday 21 - Friday 22 August NIWA Science Fair Wednesday 27 August Y9 2026 Out-of-Zone Enrolments Close Monday 2 - Sunday 8 September Winter Tournament Week Wednesday 3 September Y9 2026 Out-of-Zone Ballot Drawn Monday 8 - Friday 12 September Derived Grade Exams (Seniors)

STUDENT ATTENDANCE CATEGORIES

The Ministry of Education has developed four Student Attendance categories to help schools better understand student attendance and monitor the progress being made to support students attend school regularly. 

The table above, shows the averages for the 2022-2024 and the year-to-date for 2025 provides a snapshot of attendance at Howick College since 2022. The government has set a regular attendance target of 80 percent of students to be present for more than 90 percent of the term by 2030.

STUDENT LEAVE REQUEST FORM

We are introducing a new Student Leave Request Form for all non-school related planned absences of three or more days.

From Term 3 onwards, students will be expected to take the form to each of their teachers for signing at least two weeks prior to the start of the leave. This will ensure teachers are informed in advance and can have a conversation with the student if any assessments will be affected. Once completed, the form will be reviewed by the Principal, who will determine whether the leave is justified or unjustified and code it accordingly.

Please note: For the sake of fairness in assessments, there is no expectation that extensions or additional support will be provided for students taking unjustified leave.

The form can be accessed here, on the Our Expectations page of our website, or collected from the Student Office. Thank you for your support with this new process.

2026 SENIOR SUBJECT SELECTION

In term 3, students in Years 10, 11 and 12 will choose their subject options for 2026. We encourage all parents and caregivers to support their children in making these important decisions.

All the information about the subjects available at Howick College can be found on the Subject Pathways Map available on our website. There is also useful important information and activities on:https://tahatu.govt.nz/

All students will begin the process by completing a careers activity in tutor classes and attend a Subject Selection Assembly. Students will select their options in the relevant tutor times shown below:

Year 12 - Term 3 Week 2,  Year 11 - Term 3 Week 4, Year 10 - Term 3 Week 6
Students in Year 9 will select their 2026 subjects in Term 4.

SENIOR SUBJECT SELECTION EVENING
Thursday 31st July 6:00pm-8:00pm
Subject Selection Evening is aimed at caregivers and Year 10 students who are selecting their 2026 NCEA subjects. The evening will begin at 6:00pm with a brief presentation in the Bill Dimery Performing Arts Centre.

However, parents and students from other year levels are also welcome to attend if they wish to learn more about the subjects offered at Howick College and how these pathway from Year 9 through to Year 13. Teachers from each Learning Area will be available in the Library and G Block from 6:00pm to discuss their courses.

TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES

Our Technology Technicians play an essential role in ensuring that our Food Technology and Hospitality, and the Resistant Materials Workshop classes are well-resourced, safe, and run efficiently. Their support allows teachers to focus on teaching and enables students to get the most from their hands-on learning.

Mrs Emma Hannaby – Food Technology & Hospitality Technician
Mrs Hannaby ensures the smooth operation of the Food Technology and Hospitality classes. She manages weekly food orders from five teachers, sources ingredients, and ensures all practical sessions are fully prepared with the necessary equipment and supplies. She also oversees laundry, stock rotation, and the upkeep of pantries, fridges, and freezers, while providing administrative and classroom support. Mrs Hannaby joined Howick College in 2022 as a Registered Nurse/Health Centre Administrator. After more than 30 years in nursing, she transitioned into her current role, which she finds both rewarding and well-suited to her strengths.

Mr Chad McLaren – Resistant Materials Technician
Mr McLaren joined Howick College at the end of Term 2 and supports the Resistant Materials programmes. His responsibilities include preparing and ordering class materials, maintaining tools and equipment, and assisting with woodwork and general workshop activities. He brings extensive experience from the glass industry, where his roles have included sales, staff management, training, and operating and maintaining specialised machinery. Mr McLaren now brings those practical skills into the school workshops, helping to ensure a safe, well-organised, and productive environment for both staff and students.

Mr McLaren and Mrs Hannaby are a vital part of our Technology Department, ensuring every practical class is delivered with care, precision, and the resources it requires to succeed.

FAN WORKSHOP INSPIRES LANGUAGE LEARNERS

In the final week of Term 2, our Year 10 and 11 Chinese language students had the opportunity to take part in a unique Kungfu Fan (功夫扇) workshop. This traditional Chinese martial art blends graceful movement, martial techniques, and rhythmic fan choreography. More than just physical exercise, Kungfu Fan is a cultural expression that embodies values such as discipline, strength, and beauty. Its flowing movements and dramatic fan openings are deeply rooted in Chinese history and commonly seen in classical performances and festivals.

The workshop aimed to motivate and engage students through hands-on cultural experiences that bring language learning to life. Activities like this not only deepen students’ understanding of Chinese traditions but also develop appreciation and respect for other cultures - important values in our diverse school community.

Special thanks to our Chinese language teacher, Mrs Cai, for organising this memorable experience, and to Mr Alvarez Prado, Teacher in Charge of Languages, for his ongoing support of enriching language education at Howick College.

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS 

Spaces are still available on Tuesday 22 July, between 4:00pm and 7:00pm for parents and caregivers who would like to meet with their child's teachers. Interviews are 5 minutes long and will be held in G and L Blocks.

To book interviews, parents/caregivers should log in to the school portal, click the Parent Teacher Interviews icon and then select suitable time to meet with you child's teacher. .Your child’s Term 2 Progress Report will be sent home this Friday. We strongly encourage parents to book interviews if the report includes:

• NA grades, Improvement Needed, or Below Expected for the year level
• Effort grades of 1 or 2 on the Fortnightly Reports (Years 9–10)

If your child is achieving Excellence, is At or Above expected levels, or shows Good/Excellent Ownership of Learning, a meeting is optional this term.

At Howick College, we value strong partnerships between home and school. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss your child’s progress and next steps for Terms 3 and 4.

2025 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS

Our Howick College School Board elections will take place in September 2025. There are four parent representative positions available. The Board plays a key role in shaping the direction of Howick College, ensuring effective governance and community representation. This year’s election will be run online by Election Pilot, an experienced provider approved by the Ministry of Education. Nomination and voting details will be emailed to all eligible voters. If we do not hold an email address, printed papers will be sent by post. For full details on the election process, please click on the link below: School Board Elections 2025 – Information for Families If you are considering standing or would like to know more, please contact our Presiding Member at [email protected].

CO-REQUISITE RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE

All results have now been released for the May round of testing. Students can view these results by logging into their NZQA accounts. Congratulations to those that have passed these tests. 

If students have not been successful in this round of testing, there will be another chance to sit the Literacy and Numeracy Co-Requisites in Week 8 of this term.

Workshops will begin in Week 3 of this term, times to be confirmed.

READ THEORY TOP ACHIEVERS - TERM 2

Read Theory remains a valuable part of our literacy programme, helping Year 9 and 10 students strengthen their reading skills through regular, personalised practice. A huge congratulations to our Top Ten achievers and Top Three Tutor Classes for Weeks 6–9 of Term 2. We are so proud of your focus and commitment to improve!

MARTIAL ARTS TEACHES BIOMECHANICS

On Monday, Mrs Gillett’s Year 11 Physical Education Science class enjoyed a special Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) session to deepen their understanding of biomechanics principles. Hassan and Heba from Grappling-Lab BJJ Club, located next to the Howick Recreation Centre, generously shared their expertise by teaching fundamental techniques such as stances, holds, and releases. BJJ demonstrates biomechanics in action, showing how body positioning, leverage, and force combine to influence movement and balance. This hands-on experience helped students connect classroom theory to practical application, enriching their learning. Special thanks to Hassan and Heba for their valuable contribution to our programme, and to our PE Department for providing engaging, real-world learning experiences for our students.

WANT TO REACH LOCAL FAMILIES?

We have advertising spaces available in our weekly school newsletter and our termly digital magazine, High Five! It’s a fantastic way to reach your local audience while supporting Howick College.

Spots are limited – email [email protected] to learn more about our competitive rates. 

SPORTS NEWS

Celebrating a New Tradition in Women's 15s Rugby

Top left: Howick College Captain, Levonah Motuliki and HGHS Captain, Te-Rangi Kureta. Top right: Isla Norman-Bell Alumna and Vice-Captain Great Britain Sevens squad. Bottom: Howick College and HGHS 1st XV Girls' Rugby teams.

On Wednesday 16 July, Howick College hosted Hamilton Girls’ High School for the inaugural match of the Isla Norman‑Bell Trophy, a new annual Women’s 15s rugby exchange celebrating a shared alumna.

Hamilton were welcomed with a pōwhiri led by our Kapa Haka group before taking the field for a fast, physical match. Our girls showed real determination, fighting back from behind to finish 19–29. Special mention to Year 10 student Luisa Veiqaravi, who stepped into fullback at late notice, and to Asha Taumoepeau-Williams and Luisa for scoring our tries. Malena Lavea added two conversions in her debut at first five. The occasion was rounded off with a generous after-match feast organised by our parent community in a wonderful display of manaakitanga.

The trophy honours Isla Norman‑Bell (Howick College, 2018), who the attended in Years 12 and 13. During her time here, she represented Howick College in touch rugby receiving the 2017 and 2018 MVP award. Born in England and raised in New Zealand, Isla later went on to represent Great Britain in rugby sevens at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics. She is currently vice-captain of the Great Britain Sevens team in the 2024–25 SVNS series.

This new tradition strengthens our growing connection with Hamilton Girls’ High and supports the continued development of our Women’s 15s programme. We look forward to many more fiercely contested matches in years to come.

Thank You Caltex Sommerville!

We are thrilled to once again receive generous support from Caltex NZ and Caltex Sommerville, who have provided a $1,000 StarCash fuel card to assist our sports teams as they travel to competitions and events throughout the year. This is the fourth consecutive year that Caltex Sommerville has chosen Howick College for this sponsorship, a true testament to their ongoing commitment to our school and our student athletes. The 2025 fuel card was presented to Principal Dale Burden by Denzel Guth, Manager of Caltex Sommerville. We are grateful for their continued partnership and the positive impact it has on our teams' sporting success.

Howick College Hockey Players Represent Region

Over the school holidays, two of our talented Year 13 students took to the turf at the U18 National Hockey Tournament, held on Auckland’s North Shore.

Ella Worthington (top, 2nd from left) represented the Auckland U18 White team (B team), with the added bonus of being coached by our own TiC of Hockey at Howick College, Ms Sophie Richards. The team placed a respectable 14th out of 24, with Ella putting in a series of standout performances that drew praise from players, coaches, and spectators alike. Her skill and determination were on full display throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Seren Chadwick (bottom, 4th form left) took the field for Counties Manukau. Despite her team finishing in 20th place, Seren’s passion and relentless work ethic made her a valuable asset to her squad.

Well done to both players who represented their region, and school with pride.

  Welcome SportsHQ –  Boys Cricket Academy Sponsor

We are excited to welcome SportsHQ as a new sponsor of the Howick College Cricket Academy. Proudly New Zealand-owned, SportsHQ is a retailer of premium cricket gear, known for their commitment to quality, service, and value. We greatly appreciate their generous support!

Premier Teams Sports Draw - Week 2

MONDAY 21 July
1st XV Girls' Rugby vs Auckland Girls' Grammar, Venue: HOME GAME, Kick-off: 4:00pm
1st XI Girls' Football vs Onehunga High School, Venue: Onehunga High School, Kick-off: 4:00pm

TUESDAY 22 JULY
Premier Boys' Basketball vs Dilworth School, Venue: Elim College, Start: 5:00pm
Senior Open UWH vs Mt Albert Grammar School, Venue: Glen Innes Aquatic Centre, Start: 6:55pm
Senior Open UWH vs Mahurangi College (friendly), Venue: Glen Innes Aquatic Centre, Start: 8:10pm

WEDNESDAY 23 JULY
1st XI Boys' Hockey vs Glendowie College,  Venue: LEP Turf 2, Start: 4:00pm

THURSDAY 24 JULY
1st XI Girls' Hockey vs Carmel College, Venue: North Harbour Hockey Turf 2, Start: 5;10pm

FRIDAY 25 JULY
1st XI Boys' Football vs Glendowie College , Venue: Glendowie College, Kick-Off: 3:00pm

SATURDAY 26 JULY
Premier 1 Netball vs McAuley High School, Venue: ANC Court B, Start:9:30am
1st XV Boys' Rugby vs Pakuranga College, Venue: Pakuranga College, Kick-off: 12:00pm

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

Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams