Term 1, Week 7, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Tēnā  koutou, e te whānau o Howick College, School attendance rates in New Zealand are worthy of government attention as they are not good enough. All students should aim to attend school EVERY day. This commitment fosters consistency and discipline, which are crucial for lifelong success. School attendance is directly linked to academic achievement—you must be present to learn. The Education Review Office graph below clearly illustrates the strong correlation between achievement and attendance. The huge benefits of attending every day go beyond academic success. Daily attendance instills a sense of responsibility and commitment. Fronting up is important! Daily school attendance also ensures a continuous learning experience. Routines enable students to learn essential life skills and develop the resilience to face the daily challenges of their education journey. Missing school, even for a day, creates gaps in knowledge and skills that need to be caught up on. It leads to academic setbacks and missed opportunities for social and personal development. Regular absenteeism stunts student growth—academically, socially, and emotionally. At Howick College, our biggest and most important inter-house competition is the termly Attendance Competition, with 18 points up for grabs over the course of the year. The Attendance Competition is the only inter-house competition that involves EVERY student in the house and rewards those tutors and deans who follow up on attendance. Its importance over every other competition is obvious, given that the first step in every aspect of school-based life is to BE PRESENT. Some strategies that help attendance at home include: Avoiding morning chaos by organising books, uniform, lunch, etc., the night before. Making sure students stay healthy—eat well, sleep well, and seek medical attention as early as possible when needed. Keeping up active communication (even though it’s usually tough going interpreting one-word answers!) so you stay in the loop with what’s going well and what’s not. Acknowledging students’ positive commitment to getting up, getting organised, and getting to school on time. Every school day counts, and each student’s presence matters. Let’s work together to build strong attendance habits that lead to success—both in school and beyond. Have a great weekend. Dale Burden Principal/Tumuaki

KEY DATES Monday 24 - Friday 28 March Summer Tournament Week   Friday 28 March Teacher Only Day Tuesday 8 April - Friday May 2 Dental Planet on Site Friday 4 April  NZ Blood Collection Monday 7 - Thursday 10 April Senior Drama Production - Te Awarua Monday 7 - Friday 11 April Spirit Week 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

Learner Support Coordinators from left: Mrs Nicole Slamat, Mr Andrew Barrett, Mrs Cheryl Jaffar and Mrs Lynn Clayton

Howick College is fortunate to have a team of four Learning Support Coordinators (LSCs) dedicated to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive. Our LSCs—Mrs Cheryl Jaffar, Ms Nicole Slamat, Mrs Lynn Clayton, and Mr Andy Barrett—work closely with students, whānau, school staff, and external agencies to coordinate support for those with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, behavioural needs, and gifted learners.

The LSCs' role is to identify and coordinate appropriate interventions, strategies, and services. They bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and empathy to their work, fostering an inclusive environment where all students can reach their full potential.

Mrs Cheryl Jaffar  
Mrs Jaffar has been an educator for 38 years. With 25 years of experience in special education, she is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and supported.

Ms Nicole Slamat
Mrs Slamat has been an educator for approximately 34 years. She specialises in Digital Technologies and is passionate about integrating innovative learning methods to support student success.

Mrs Lynn Clayton
Mrs Clayton has been an educator for 31 years. She is deeply passionate about special and inclusive education, advocating for equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Mr Andy Barrett 
Mr Barrett has been involved in education for 25 years. He is dedicated to supporting students who find learning challenging, helping them discover pathways to success and enjoyment in their educational journey.

CELEBRATING NEURODIVERSTITY WEEK

Steven Sturrock (centre back) with members of the Infinity Group and TiC, Mr Barrett.

At the end of 2024, Year 13 student Steven Sturrock embarked on a journey to create a supportive community for neurodivergent students at Howick College. Diagnosed with autism at the age of seven, Steven finds it challenging to talk to new people and, at times, has felt socially isolated. While Howick College offers well-established learning support systems, Steven identified a need for a dedicated social group for neurodiverse students like himself. With support from his peers and after careful planning during the summer holidays, Steven launched the Infinity Group in Week 4 of Term 1. The group's logo, thoughtfully designed by Steven, incorporates each of the six Houses colours, symbolising unity and inclusivity.

Since its formation, the group has experienced strong attendance with numbers exceeding expectations. Meeting every Tuesday lunchtime in the Huakina Mai space, the group provides a supportive environment for neurodivergent students to connect, share experiences, and develop leadership skills through student-led activities.

In recognition of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, observed globally from 17 to 23 March, the group hosted a special lunchtime event on Tuesday, 18 March. This event aimed to raise awareness, foster inclusivity, and celebrate the diverse talents and abilities of neurodivergent individuals within our school community.

For more information or to get involved, come along to Huakina Mai during a Tuesday lunchtime or contact Mr Andrew Barrett, Infinity Group TiC, at: [email protected]

Note: Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, aiming to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported. It provides schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, fostering more inclusive and equitable cultures.

AUCKLAND MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2025

UN Youth Leaders, Eva Malez Ocampos and Harnain Dhaliwal (kneeling) with the Howick College AMUN delegation.

Last weekend, 13 Howick College students participated in the Auckland Model United Nations (AMUN), the largest annual UN Youth event in the region, held at the University of Auckland. This event provided a unique opportunity for students to engage in a Model UN simulation, representing various countries to debate key global issues, enhance their leadership skills, and deepen their understanding of international relations.

The group, led by Harnain Dhaliwal and Eva Malez Ocampos, along with TiC, Mrs Zou, took on the challenge of representing countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Congo, Madagascar, Belgium, the Syrian Arab Republic, Senegal, and Ireland, among others. Throughout the event, the students engaged in constructive debates, speeches, and negotiations, all while working towards finding resolutions to complex topics such as food sovereignty, media influence, healthcare rights, migrant rights in labour systems, addressing climate inequities, and the governance of artificial intelligence.

With around 400 participants from across Auckland, the event not only strengthened our students’ teamwork,  communication, and leadership skills but also encouraged them to think critically about global issues. It provided a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, build lasting networks, and gain a deeper understanding of the world’s challenges.

We are proud of how our students represented Howick College, demonstrating our 4C values of Commitment, Courage, Curiosity, and Courtesy, and a growing awareness of global diplomacy.

YEAR 12 & 13 CREATIVE CULINARY DELIGHTS

Top left: Dakota Glass's winning Food Illusion dessert.  Bottom: Gourmet Desserts

Our Year 12 and 13 Food Science students put their creativity and baking skills to the test in hands-on practical challenges designed to prepare them for their upcoming prototyping assessments. These activities encouraged innovative thinking while showcasing their impressive culinary abilities.

Gourmet Dessert Challenge
Year 12 students are developing gourmet desserts for a stakeholder this year. As part of their pre-learning, they were given a simple set of ingredients—including a store-bought cake, cream, berry coulis, lemon honey (which they made themselves), chocolate buttons, leftover fruit, nuts, and meringues—and tasked with creating a visually stunning and delicious plated dessert. With just one hour to plan, prepare, and present, students produced restaurant-quality dishes with finesse and precision.

Food Illusion Challenge 
Year 13 students took on a fun and technical challenge—creating a food illusion. After preparing cupcakes, chocolate biscuits, and shortbread the day before, they had just 30 minutes to construct a realistic-looking hamburger made entirely from sweet treats! Their impressive designs were judged by keen Year 9 Food Technology students, who crowned Dakota Glass the overall winner. Larissa Adlington, Maddie Averis, and Pragati Narayan also impressed the judges and earned well-deserved chocolate prizes.

This engaging learning experience reinforced the importance of creativity, problem-solving, and technical skill in food preparation. Well done to all students for your dedication and effort—your passion for Food Science was evident in every dish!

SKILLS FOR LIFE STUDENTS SHINE

Students in the Skills for Life class class recently demonstrated remarkable empathy, leadership, and initiative by organising a "Meet, Greet, and Games Party" for the Sommerville Satellite class. As part of their first assignment, they were challenged to plan and run a real-life event—an opportunity they embraced with care and enthusiasm.

The class worked together to create a welcoming and engaging environment, thoughtfully planning activities such as paper plane targets, colouring stations, and a spinning wheel action game. Their goal was simple but powerful: to ensure that every student, regardless of their diverse needs, felt included and had fun.

The event was a resounding success, with laughter and excitement filling the room as students connected and supported one another. Mr Andrew Barrett, Learning Support Coordinator, described it as one of the proudest moments of his teaching career, highlighting the way his students—who themselves often navigate unique learning challenges—displayed confidence, kindness, and leadership in supporting their high-needs peers.

This initiative was a powerful reminder of the strength of inclusivity and the remarkable potential within our learners. Congratulations to the Skills for Life students for their outstanding effort in making a difference!

A UNIQUE KIWI EXPERIENCE

Last Sunday, Year 11 international student Anna Furusawa (Japan) had the opportunity to experience New Zealand’s culture firsthand, thanks to her wonderful homestay family. Anna’s hosts took her along to the King of the Prospect Fishing Competition, where she made quite a splash by catching the second-largest kahawai of the day and winning $100! The experience highlights how being part of a homestay family allows international students to immerse themselves in unique local traditions and local events, creating lasting memories. For homestay families, it’s an opportunity to share New Zealand’s beauty and culture while fostering lifelong connections with students from around the world. These experiences are not only enriching for the students but also for the families who welcome them into their homes. We greatly appreciate the opportunities our homestay families provide and the treasured memories they help create for students like Anna.

If you are interested in opening your home to an international student, please contact our International Accommodation Coordinator, Mrs  Maryna Truter at [email protected].

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].

SCHOOL BALL 2025

Venue: Ellerslie Event Centre
Date: Saturday 24 May
Time: 6:30pm to 11.30pm (doors open 6:30 to 7:00pm)
Dress Code: Formal
Cost: $150 per ticket (this covers all costs including venue, food, photography, DJ etc.)
Payments: All payments to be made via your myKindo account. Cash payments are not available.

Dates for Ticket Sales:
Year 13 Student Tickets: On sale from Monday 17 March - Friday 9 May (or until sold out).
Year 13 Guest Tickets: On sale from Monday 17 March - Friday 11 April. After this time, there will be no further guest ticket sales. Guests are required to fill out a written contract and provide a printed copy of photo ID.
Year 12 Tickets: On sale in Term 2 from Monday 31 April  - Friday 9 May (or until sold out).

Please read the instructions from Ms Marsick in the email sent to all Yr 12 and 13 students and parents.

 JUNIOR MATHEMATICS COMPETITION 

All students in Years 9, 10, and 11 who are New Zealand residents are invited to take part in the University of Otago Junior Mathematics Competition. This iconic competition, now in its 40th year, will be held as a single part, paper based competition. The competition lasts for 50 minutes and will be conducted at school during school hours.

WHEN:  Wednesday May 7, 2025
COST:  $5 per student. Please note that this is covered in your Course fee, if it has been paid for the year.

All students who wish to participate, must register with their Math teacher before 1st April, 2025. Any further queries, please email the HOLA - Mathematics & Statistics at [email protected]

CAREERS DEPARTMENT NEWS

Upcoming Eduaction Providers' Visits

Who: University of Auckland 
When: Tuesday 25th March, 1.40pm (lunchtime)
Where: H3

Who: MAST Academy 
What: To talk to students who are keen to hear about the different courses and options in the Boat Building industry.
When: Wednesday 26th March, 11.10am (interval)
Where: H3

Who: Waikato University
When: Thursday 27th March, 1.40pm (lunchtime)
Where: H3
For the latest Careers updates and information, please visit our CareerWise hub.

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 8 - Reading: 'Tips and Tricks' 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 8 - Process Idea 3: How to take a stand 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 are excited to kick off our player spotlight series with captain Keana Farani, Levonah Motuliki, and Avah Sila. These talented 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. Keana Farani: ​My goal is to defend our 2024 National 7s title and make history as the first New Zealand team to win the World Youth Sanix Tournament in Japan. My favourite motto is “With God, all things are possible.” This verse reminds me to approach everything in prayer, hope and strong faith, trusting in God's guidance through all challenges. Levonah Motuliki: A personal goal for me is to play at nationals. Last year, I had to watch from the sidelines due to injury; however, I am hopeful to play alongside my team this year. We fell short in the final against Manukura, which was our first loss of the season—a tough pill to swallow. I believe my team and I are capable of succeeding this year.  My favourite motto is "By Him, for Him." Faith is an important factor in my life and shapes who I am. This motto reminds me that everything happens for a reason: everything that comes into my life, such as opportunities, is 'by Him.' 'For Him' means all that I do is to glorify God and His work in my life; it is because of Him that I am able to do these things. ​Avah Silah: A personal goal of mine is to defend our 2024 national titles with both my netball and sevens teams. My motto, "AO1" (Audience of One), serves as a guiding principle, reminding me to focus on honoring and glorifying God in all my endeavors. Vice-Captain Selected for 2025 NZSS Netball Camp   Congratulations to Zermahnia Manu on her selection as one of 24 players from across New Zealand to attend the NZ Secondary Schools Camp on 26th and 27th April in Papakura—a fantastic achievement. The selection process began with 90 secondary school players, and after assessments at three regional camps in Auckland, Ashburton, and Hastings, the final 24 players were chosen. Netball NZ Pathway Programmes Manager, Nicky Cattermoul, said the camp aims to develop players by challenging them, improving their individual skill sets, and helping them understand what is expected of a performance netballer. All 24 players will have the opportunity to be selected for either the NZ Secondary Schools Team or the NZ Secondary Schools A Team. Zermahnia’s commitment and leadership have also been recognised within Howick College, as she was recently named one of our vice-captains for the Premier 1 Team. 1st XI Boys Retain Top of The Table From left: Jadin Gouws, Trent McVeigh, Prabhsimran Singh and Gurkanwal Singh Rahal. The 1st XI boys played an outstanding game on Saturday retaining their place at the top of the cricket table with a comprehensive win over Glendowie College. Glendowie opted to bowl first and were dismissed for just 139 runs. Prabh Jawanda delivered another excellent bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for just 20 runs! The team made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 23 overs. Jack Read notched up his second consecutive 50+ score, while his brother Sam Read smashed a blistering 37 off just 14 balls. The team now looks ahead to a top-of-the-table clash against second-placed Takapuna Grammar at home on Tuesday 25 March. Saturday also saw some special presentations. Gurkanwal Singh Rahal received his Howick College baggy to mark his 12th game for the First XI. We also recognised some impressive bowling performances, with match balls presented to, Jadin Gouws (5/24), Trent McVeigh (6/32), Prabhsimran Singh (5/32) Well done to all players and good luck for next Tuesday! Cricket Round Up  Last Saturday proved a fantastic day for Howick College Cricket, with all boys' teams enjoying impressive victories in their respective matches. A big thank you to the coaches, managers, and supporters for their continued dedication and support—your contributions are invaluable to our teams' success! JUNIOR T20 King's College: 5/169 (20 overs) Howick College: 5/170 (19.2 overs) Top Performers: Brooklyn Johnson (Y10): 22 off 15 balls Pahuldeep Saini (Y10): 21* off 21 balls Tejas Sharma: 2/25 off 4 overs Matthew Thompson (Y10): 2/27 off 3 overs COLTS Howick College: 10/124 (35.5 overs) Macleans College: 10/93 (33.3 overs) Top Performers: Caleb Anderson Rowe (Y10): 53 off 66 balls (First-ever 50!)  FJ Nel (Y10): 3/13 off 6 overs 2ND XI BOYS Howick College: 10/203 (37 overs) Mt Roskill Grammar School: 8/196 (40 overs) Top Performers: Yom Patel: 88 off 78 balls Daniel Wellm (Y11): 3/26 off 8 overs GIRLS 1ST XI Our girls have finished their first season in the Premier grade finishing 7th with some very close games against top cricketing schools. We wish them the very best as they head into the Cricket Girls National Qualifier Tournament next week. ASS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP Left: Rianco Haggard   Right: Girls' Relay Teams: Jaedah Hansen, Daisy Leat, Jahnei Kawai-Peapea, Avah Sila, Dejah Vaitai, Faith Sila, Jayde Tuumaialu, Charlie Lindsay ​A team of 23 dedicated track and feild athletes represented Howick College at the Auckland Secondary Schools Athletics Championships on 18 and 20 March at Mt Smart Stadium. Our students excelled across various events, achieving several podium finishes with two athletes delivering record-breaking performances. Senior Girls Relay Team: 1st Place  Junior Girls Relay Team: 2nd Place  Rianco Haggard: 1st Place 100m Hurdles (Auckland Record), 1st Place 300m Hurdles (Auckland Record), 1st Place 100m, 1st Place 200m Avah Sila: 1st Place 100m Hurdles (Auckland Record. Avah remains unbeaten in this event since Year 9) Thalia Lam: 2nd Place Shot Put, 3rd Place Discus Natalyah Atoaga: 2nd Place Discus, 3rd Place Shot Put Kyah Walmsley: 3rd Place High Jump Savannah Atoaga: 3rd Place Discus Ewald Engelbrecht: 3rd Place Javelin Dejah Vaitai: Junior Girls 100m Finalist Congratulations to all our athletes for their outstanding performances. Special mention to Rianco Haggard whose achievements were nothing short of remarkable. Rianco claimed four gold medals, setting new Auckland records in both the 100m and 300m Hurdles, while also winning gold in the 100m and 200m. His exceptional success places him as one of the top track athletes in Auckland Counties Manukau High Schools Tennis Tournament From left:  Devin Marshall, Nathaniel Smith, John Belding, Joshika Somarouthu, and Kerry Kang   Howick College students — Devin Marshall, Nathaniel Smith, John Belding, Joshika Somarouthu, and Kerry Kang —represented our school at the Counties Manukau High Schools Tennis Tournament, with impressive results. Joshika dominated the intermediate girls' draw, while Devin and John faced off in a thrilling intermediate boys' final. After splitting sets, John won the tiebreaker. Devin, unfortunately, sustained an injury during the match. Nathaniel claimed first place in the intermediate boys' consolation draw, while Kerry battled hard but didn’t secure a win this time. Congratulations to all participants for their talent, sportsmanship, and commitment! Auckland Volleyball Championship Our Senior Boys and Girls Volleyball teams competed in the Auckland Volleyball Championships across three days, starting on 12th March. The girls’ team displayed impressive skills and resilience, earning their place in the Premier grade for 2026 with several tight matches. They finished the tournament in 6th place - a fantastic result! Special congratulations to Destiney Savaiinaea, who was named in the tournament team for her outstanding performance. The boys’ team showed significant improvement this year, advancing to Division 2 and finishing 5th in their division, placing 21st overall—up from 34th last year. A huge achievement, especially considering there were 55 teams at the tournament! Looking ahead, our Senior Boys team will be heading to Palmerston North for Nationals, and we wish them all the best in their upcoming competition. Sports Draw for Week 8 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 Free Mobile Dental Service  NZ Blood Collection at Howick College HOWICK COLLEGE LIBRARY - BOOK OF THE WEEK   Rasputin by Douglas Smith Rasputin remains a figure of intrigue, almost a century after his murder. Was he really a horse thief and a hard-drinking ruffian in his youth? Was he a devout Orthodox Christian, or was he just a fake holy man? How did he come to know the Emperor and Empress of Russia and to wield so much influence over them? What was the source of his healing power? Was Rasputin running the government in the final years of his life? If so, was he acting on his own or on the orders of more powerful, hidden forces? Did Prince Yusupov and his fellow conspirators act alone or were there other parties involved in Rasputin's murder? To what extent did Rasputin's murder doom the Romanov dynasty? Drawing on sources previously unexamined by western historians, Douglas Smith's book is the definitive biography of this extraordinary figure. (This book was purchased to support our senior History curriculum). Library hours are from 8:30am - 3:30pm, Monday to Friday.