AV头条

Year 8 Induction Day  

On Friday, 14 November, we held our annual year 8 Induction Day, welcoming students from Pakuranga Intermediate in the morning and our other feeder schools in the afternoon. This event provided an excellent opportunity for our future learners to immerse themselves in what life at AV头条 will be like when they join us in 2026. 

Students were formally welcomed by our Tumuaki, Ms Addison, alongside the Year 9 Dean for 2026, Ms Davies. Following the welcome, they were placed into groups and participated in a range of engaging activities designed to introduce them to our school culture and learning environment. 

We were fortunate to have our student leadership team involved throughout the day. Their support and guidance helped the year 8 students feel comfortable and supported as they explored the college. The programme included hands-on sessions in both forensic sciences and creative arts, giving students a taste of the exciting learning opportunities ahead. They also participated in our energetic and enjoyable amazing race activity, allowing students to familiarise themselves with the school grounds while working collaboratively. 

We are delighted with how confidently and enthusiastically the Year 8 students engaged with the day, and we look forward to welcoming them into the AV头条 community in 2026. 

Edge Innovation Wh膩nau Evening:
A Showcase of Student Success!  

What an unforgettable night! On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, our kura proudly hosted the Edge Innovation Wh膩nau Evening, a special event dedicated to celebrating the remarkable learning journey and project outcomes of our Year 9 and 10 students in the Edge Innovation Programme. 

This evening was truly unique as it was entirely hosted and managed by the students themselves. This active hosting role provided a significant opportunity for our young leaders to demonstrate essential leadership and professional communication skills, moving seamlessly from learners to confident communicators 

The Edge programme is designed to foster our EC capabilities: auahatanga, m膩ramatanga, rangatiratanga, k艒rerorero, kaitiakitanga, and whakawhanaungatanga. The Wh膩nau Evening was a vibrant representation of how these qualities have been nurtured throughout the year, culminating in impressive final products and project displays. 

It was a time for wh膩nau to connect with the learning process, view their student's achievements firsthand, and celebrate their success in a supportive, informal environment. We firmly believe that sharing this journey with wh膩nau is a vital way to recognise their hard work and dedication. 

The evening began in true kiwi fashion, though perhaps a little delayed! Despite the slightly uncooperative wind attempting to disrupt the cooking, the sausage sizzle eventually got underway, providing a welcome start to the festivities. 

Once appetites were satisfied, the students took the stage. They opened the formal part of the evening with a karakia followed by introductions. A highlight was the segment where students from each class had the opportunity to introduce their subject and share a powerful memory or key lesson they had taken away from their year in the Edge programme. These personal reflections truly brought the learning journey to life for everyone in attendance. 

Wh膩nau were then given the opportunity to explore the various projects and displays, engaging with the students about their hard work. 

The evening ended on a more somber, but heartfelt note as the students farewelled their beloved mentor and Science teacher, Ms Mele Bloomfield. The students' heartfelt tributes, lolly leis, and gifts of appreciation clearly showed what a kind, trustworthy, and amazing teacher she is. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her all the very best at her new school. 

Thank you to all the staff who have been working tirelessly throughout the year to make this evening possible, and a special thank you to Mrs Faye Booker for her leadership and guidance. Finally, thank you to all the our wh膩nau for joining us and for your continued support over the year. Overall, it was a great evening of learning, sharing, and showing EC spirit. 

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Year 9 Future Studies visits Stardome  

Our Year 9 Future Studies class visited Stardome Observatory for an immersive learning experience that connected our classroom learning to real-world astronomy. Students explored interactive exhibits, engaged with multimedia displays, and experienced a guided planetarium show that brought the night sky to life. The trip allowed them to see astronomy not just as a topic in science, but as a gateway to future-focused thinking about technology, space exploration, and the universe beyond Earth. 

During our visit to Stardome Observatory, students learned about the structure and scale of the solar system, the movements of celestial objects, and how these shape day, night, and the seasons. They also gained an understanding of M膩ori astronomy, including the significance of Matariki, and explored how traditional knowledge connects with modern scientific discovery. Through interactive exhibits and the planetarium show, students strengthened their observation and inquiry skills while discovering future-focused pathways in space science and technology.  

Reaching for the Stars  

When the rocket finally broke through the clouds above Kaipara Harbour, the cheers said it all. After weeks of design, testing, and teamwork, AV头条’s STEM Club had launched their first student-built rocket, a gleaming symbol of curiosity turned into action. 

In partnership with Aerospace Education, the New Zealand Rocketry Association, and Snowden Consulting, students not only engineered the rocket but also designed a bold logo capturing their shared journey as young innovators. Under the expert guidance of Gerry Munden from Aerospace Education and the New Zealand Rocketry Association, learners faced gusting winds and grey skies with calm determination. 

When the weather finally cleared, the rocket soared to an impressive 2,134 feet (around 650 metres), a powerful statement of creativity, courage, and collective effort. Learners also had the chance to pick the brain of a mechatronic engineer from Snowden Consulting, exploring his career journey and discovering how science and engineering can open diverse pathways for their own futures. 

Now, the team eagerly awaits insights from the onboard launch data, keen to see what the numbers reveal about their design and trajectory. 

More than a science experiment, this was an exercise in belief, patience, problem-solving, and what is possible when imagination meets engineering. A heartfelt thank you to Christian, Luisa, Gerry, Snowden Consulting, and the AV头条 leadership team for helping make this unforgettable experience a reality. 

As the rocket lifted into the sky, so too did the imaginations of our students, a reminder that every small launch can ignite a lifetime of dreaming big.

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Tongan ngatu painting 

In term 4, students in 'Tongan' K艒whiri 膧konga have been exploring the significance and ancient practice of 'ta kupesi' or painting ngatu (tapa). 

Students have very much enjoyed exploring this practice through learning about the names and meanings of different Tongan ngatu motifs, selecting ones that best represent their cultural identities and painting them onto their own personal piece of ngatu.

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Forklift work experience 

“What are our options for next year?” 

It’s a question often asked by our senior students as they prepare to leave school. One valuable method of finding out is work experience - a direct and hands-on gateway into the workforce that helps students apply their learning in real-world settings. 

This year, selected senior students gained practical experience in the logistics industry, successfully earning their forklift licenses and achieving 14 NCEA Level 3 credits along the way. 

We’d like to extend our thanks to TSS Group and Bendon Limited for providing this excellent learning opportunity. 

Mr Huang | Gateway Coordinator and Teacher of Industry Pathway

This week my chosen book is Ghibliotheque: The Unofficial Guide to the Movies of Studio Ghibli. 

Ghibliotheque is a wonderfully illustrated guide to the world of Studio Ghibli, written by the hosts of the Ghibliotheque podcast. This guide goes through all the movies from this studio, detailing production stories and analysis of each film. It is a very charming tribute to this iconic animation studio. Ghibliotheque will be on display as part of the last collection of new books for the year. Remember, all books are available for issue during the summer! 

Tara Holland | School Librarian 

AV头条 Junior Volleyball Team: Building a Strong Foundation

The AV头条 Junior Boys’ Volleyball Team has shown incredible growth, teamwork, and perseverance throughout the season. Though the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, this talented group of players has continued to demonstrate determination and a positive team spirit both on and off the court.

At the start of the season, it took the team a little time to find their rhythm and confidence while playing together. Many of the players were new to volleyball, but through consistent training and commitment, their skills have developed impressively. Each game has brought them closer as a team, improving communication, technique, and understanding of the game.

This year’s squad also includes several returning players – Dave Ramos, Fotu Teisi, and Jamaine Masalo, who bring valuable experience and leadership to the court. Their familiarity with the game and calm presence have helped guide and support newer teammates. While the team hasn’t yet secured a win, their matches have been close and hard-fought. Every point reflects their hard work and growing confidence. The enthusiasm and resilience of these young athletes show that success is not far away. With continued training and exposure to competitive play, this team has the potential to become a real force in future competitions.

Captain Sifa Vakameilalo has been a standout leader, encouraging his teammates, maintaining composure under pressure, and setting the tone for teamwork and perseverance. The season has been a learning curve, but it’s clear that this is just the beginning for AV头条’s promising junior volleyball squad.

Watch this space – the future of AV头条 volleyball is looking bright!

Junior Boys Tag

On Tuesday, 5 November, our Junior Boys Tag team represented AV头条 at the South Eastern Zone competition held at Ng膩ti 艑tara Park. It was an extremely hot day, and the players had to contend with tough playing conditions, but they gave it their all and showed great determination throughout the tournament.

The team played five round robin games before moving into the quarter-finals. Their results were as follows:

• vs Sancta Maria College – Win 6–0
• vs Southern Cross Campus – Loss 0–4
• vs Alfriston College – Win 7–4
• vs Papakura High School – Loss 1–6
• vs Aorere College – Loss 3–6

In the quarter-final, AV头条 faced M膩ngere College and put in a strong effort but were defeated 2–6.

Despite the tough conditions and some challenging opposition, the boys displayed great sportsmanship and resilience throughout the day.

A big thank you to Coach Hoani MacFater and Manager Natasha McKay for their support of the team.

Uniform Shop Hours for 2026