Avondale College has been named the national winner for Excellence in Quality Teaching and Instruction (Secondary School) at the inaugural New Zealand Education Excellence Awards, held at Parliament in Wellington yesterday. The award recognises the college’s outstanding approach to strengthening teaching practice and supporting and growing its teachers and leaders to achieve excellent outcomes for students. Building a Strong Teaching Team Avondale College is one of New Zealan

Our 12PED students recently created a multi-station event for Rosebank Primary students to rotate through a series of unique, fun activities aimed and encouraging movement. Activities included knocking cones off a table, blindfolded battles with pool noodles, dribbling balls and a strategy game involving jumping across coloured circles. "My group's specific game was named “Rob the Bank", similar to 'Capture the Flag," shares Jared Villegas. "Our aim for this event is to raise

Have you ever wondered what’s happening behind the construction fences in the heart of Avondale town centre? While 'Te Hono' is a brand-new, state-of-the-art community centre and library is taking shape, something just as important is being built alongside it: real-world experience for students through Avondale College’s Gateway Programme. Designed to give students hands-on learning and exposure to future career pathways, the Gateway Programme is making a tangible difference

This week our Year 11s were inspired by Voices of Hope, featuring three speakers who know all about what it is to struggle with mental health as teens - and the road to overcoming it. The main speaker was Jazz Thornton, who was repeatedly hospitalised as a young person for ill mental health, as a result of a trauma in childhood. After receiving the necessary support, she co-founded the charity Voices for Hope alongside Genevieve Mora, and went onto author three best-selling b

Over the past term, a group of our Year 9 students have been taking part in the Junior Scholars Academy, an extension programme offered across two stands: Science/Maths and Social Science/English. Students have carried out their own independent research projects with teacher and mentor guidance. In the English/Social Science stand, students have been engaging with members of the wider community to explore the stories, experiences, and contributions that shape Avondale. They h

Scholars Academy students with Gilbert Watson This term, Scholars Academy students have been inspired to think bigger and aim higher, engaging with a dynamic series of presentations from leading professionals across a diverse range of fields. From the cutting edge of Aerospace Engineering to the critical work of Environmental Law, and the precision-driven world of Dentistry, with a special focus on Prosthodontics, students have been challenged to deepen their understanding an

Our Gospel Choir lit up the stage at Auckland Town Hall last week at "The Big Sing" Choral Competition. In news just announced, their standout performance has secured them a place at the prestigious Upper North Island Cadenza festival in Rotorua. Delivering a powerful and thoughtfully curated programme, the choir captivated both audience and judges alike. Highlights included the stunning O Lo’u Malu O Ia by Helen Tupai and the deeply moving He Kākano Ahau by Hohepa Te Rangi T

In this Issue In this Isue From the Principal Choir shines at Big Sing, secures spot at Cadenza Scholars Academy learns from industry experts Join us for the Junior Scholars Showcase Voices of Hope: encouraging help-seeking behaviour PE students put on a festival of physical activities Saim's headed in the right direction Adventures in & around the sea Local theatre offers free popcorn for Avcol students Alumna Anastasia signs for the Warriors Sports Results Notices

Avondale College classes will finish at 12:30pm for all students on Tuesday 23 June. This will allow us to hold the Senior Academic Mentoring sessions from 1:00pm to 7:30pm, where Year 11, 12 and 13 students and their parent/caregivers will meet with their home room teachers. In the afternoon, juniors students are required to study from home. For those seniors who are not attending the Senior Academic Mentoring sessions, independent study tasks have been set. Booking for Sen

Swing 46 Our annual Jazz & Soul Concert is on this Wednesday the 24th of June — a celebration of the incredible talent within Avondale College’s award-winning music groups. From smooth jazz combos and contemporary bands to our inspiring Gospel Choir (fresh from this week’s Auckland Big Sing), the programme offers something for everyone Highlights include: • Swing 46 – fresh off a standout year with Platinum and Gold awards, plus top honours for vocalist Rose Elijas and pianis

This Friday marks the end of an enjoyable 11-month journey for Eduardo Centeno Arias, one of Avcol's Mexican international students. “Going back to Mexico is bittersweet,” he shares. “I’m really looking forward to seeing my family and friends again, but at the same time I’m very sad to be leaving the people I’ve met here. I keep thinking - will it be months, years, or maybe never before I see these people again?” Despite the difficult goodbye, his time in New Zealand has been

Huge congratulations to Alex Finn (Year 9) who has been named in the NZ Junior Boys Orienteering team and to Emily Thompson (Year 9) who has been named as second reserve in the NZ Junior Orienteering Girls team. As part of the New Zealand team, Alex and Emily will compete against the six Aussie states for the Southern Cross Trophy in Canberra in September, at the 2026 Australian Schools Orienteering Championship event! Alex also placed 1st in the Year 9 Boys Division at the A

Fresh from his success at the SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival in Wellington, student director and actor Milo Wilson-MacLeod (Year 11) has been selected for the National Shakespeare Schools Production. He will spend nine days in Wellington with 47 others, rehearsing with industry professionals and performing one of Shakespeare’s plays. From this event around 20 students will get selected to form the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company and travel to London where they will learn and perf

Congratulations to all of our dancers who represented Avondale College at the Velocity Dance Competition this week. It was a fantastic day of performances, with our students demonstrating their dedication, artistry, and passion for dance while achieving some outstanding results. In the Year 11–13 Solo Division, Summer Warhaft delivered an exceptional performance, placing 2nd overall and earning the second-highest score across the entire competition. Her remarkable achievement

In this Issue Avcol dancers shine at Velocity competition Milo selected for National Shakespeare Schools Production Ngā Manu Kōrero ki Waitematā Student success in World Water Day photo competition Senior academic mentoring next week Jazz & Soul '26 - Wed next week Drama Academy Devised Showcase – An Evening of Original Theatre: Next Thurs Sports News Noticeboard

Our Bollywood Dance Group sold sweet treats at lunchtime this week to help them get to the Bollywood Dance Competition next month. Just check out some of the delicious morsels they had on offer! If you missed out, don't worry, the group will be fundraising once more next Thursday lunchtime.

The AD Street Dance Crew recently travelled to Tauranga to compete at the PROJECT Dance Competition, marking their first competition performance of the year. As a younger and developing crew, stepping onto the stage was an exciting milestone and a valuable opportunity to gain experience in a competitive environment. The dancers embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, confidence, and determination, proudly representing Avondale College and showcasing the hard work they have pu

Over Tuesday and Wednesday, our 11 and 12 Commerce classes sparked a friendly frenzy of sales in the Atrium and D block breezeway. Both events were standing room only for the first few minutes, as punters eager for a tasty snack or a bargain made a beeline from their classrooms to the stalls. The Year 11s sold refreshments such as cupcakes, buns, pizza slices,'oreo sushi', lollipops and churros, while the Year 12s sold non-food items, such as stickers, flowers made out of pip

Saturday night’s school ball at The Trusts Arena was truly a night to remember, with 475 Avcol students and staff coming together for a fantastic evening. The Royals in LA theme was brought to life with decorations that looked incredible and really set the scene and atmosphere. Huge thanks to the Ball Committee for their hard work, and to the prefects and staff who helped make it all happen. From the moment the music started, the dance floor stayed full thanks to a great DJ w

In this Issue From the Principal School ball a night to remember! Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa / Samoan Language Week Pacific Academy proves popular Nailed it! Trades Morning a great success Market Days delight the punters PROJECT Dance Baking for Bollywood! A season to remember: rugby and life at Avcol "I'm the school's nana!": Nearly 40 years of Trish Cornish Sports Results Notices