Alumna Congratulations to Avondale alumna Mariam Sesiahvili who has just won first place in the JSANZ (Japanese Studies Aotearoa New Zealand) Tertiary Japanese Language Speech Contest for her talk "The Importance of Learning about Other Cultures." The aim of the contest was to encourage learners who are studying Japanese to showcase their language skills in a challenging context. Hearing about the win was an incredibly proud moment for Ms Ishihara, who taught Mariam in Year 1

Gateway students at Bunnings Warehouse Gateway is a work experience programme designed for Year 12 and Year 13 students, primarily focused on trade and vocational pathways. It allows students to gain industry experience while continuing to work towards their NCEA qualifications. Students develop practical skills and explore their chosen career pathway through structured workplace learning, spending up to 10 days in a real business. Gateway has taken off with a flying start in

Ms Khan’s Year 12 Hospitality and Catering students have been busy turning theory into (delicious) reality as they work toward their practical assessment for Unit Standard 13283: Prepare, assemble, and present salads for service . The roast vegetable, feta, and candied walnut salad they made last week was as tasty as it was colourful on the plate and earned successful students two credits. Ms Khan says the value of hands on, practical work in food technology cannot be underes

At the Parthenon, Greece Planning is underway for our next Classical Studies trip to Italy and Greece, which will take place in April 2027! The proposed itinerary includes six World Heritage sites, where students will have the opportunity to experience the culture, history, art, and architecture of the places that are significant for our understanding of the world. While in Greece, students will be able to explore the birthplace of democracy and visit famous landmarks such as

The bees have been busy! The cast is confirmed, the musos are strumming and drumming, and set production is under way for Avondale College's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee ! Student Assistant Stage Manage Abi Haughton, who shares the role with fellow students Hiero Backhurst-Pretty and Nell Taylor, says the actors have been extremely dedicated practising dance routines, singing numbers, and their American accents. "The sense of community is very stro

From the Principal Upcoming Events Spelling Bee  rehearsals begin in earnest Italy & Greece 2027: A truly monumental trip From garden, to plate, to gradebook Gateway Programme off to a flying start Alumna wins prestigious Japanese speech competition Sports Notices Notices

L-R: Aphra Paine, Kaela Muldoon, Rachel Lamb, Whitley-Jade McGowan, Jo Thompson Ms Rachel Lamb has recently been appointed as Avondale College’s Director of Careers. After many years teaching science, she discovered a passion for helping young people understand themselves and their future possibilities. This led her to complete a postgraduate diploma in Careers Education and later to work closely with the Careers Department and as the school’s Refugee Coordinator, supporting

One aspect of Avondale College's HEART Values is Respect - part of which involves learning about the different cultures, traditions and beliefs of our student body. Luqmaan Azmi, Year (12) Muslim Group student leader (along with Maryam Omer, Raz Shelay), shares about Ramadan Mubarak in his own words: Asalaamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh - may peace and blessings be upon you all. Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam. It’s a time when Muslims focus on faith, self-disci

Take a walk through the grounds of Avondale College after school and you will hear the sounds of the Pacific, Asia, and beyond as our Polyfest cultural groups prepare for the upcoming festival in March. This year Polyfest has expanded, with performances taking place across two venues in March and April. The main celebrations will run from March 18-21 at Manukau Sports Bowl, and the Māori stage will run from 30 March - 2 April at Due Drop Events Centre. Avondale is proudly ent

2026 marks an incredible 30 years of service to Avondale College for Physics teacher Mr Hua Khoo. Known for his engaging storytelling and his ability to weave Tai Chi into almost any lesson, Mr Khoo has become an Avcol institution. Originally from Malaysia, Mr Khoo joined the Avondale College Science department in 1997. His career has spanned generations of students, curriculum changes, technological shifts, and countless Tai Chi demonstrations in the science labs, yet his en

This Tuesday the Year 13 Earth Science class went on a trip to Maukatia/Māori Bay at Muriwai. We went to become Geologists for the day by visiting one of the many volcanic features scattered throughout  Te Wao nui ā Tiriwa, the  Waitākere Ranges.  Because rocks can't talk, Geologists have to search for clues hidden within them to solve very complicated puzzles. The puzzle that students had to solve is how the gigantic Waitākere volcano formed the volcanic features neat Muriwa

Our Pasifika Welcome Evening was a wonderful celebration of connection, culture, and partnership, setting a strong foundation for a successful year ahead for our Pacific learners. A heartfelt 'fa'afetai' to Ms Alai and our amazing Aspiring Pasifika Student Leaders for creating such a warm, welcoming, and uplifting space for our whānau. Key dates for our Pasifika community are as follows: Polyfest 2026 March 18-21, at the Manukau Sports Bowl Pasifika Study Night Every Wednesda

In this Issue From the Principal Upcoming Events Becoming Geologists for a Day Pasifika Welcome Evening "If you show it, they know it" - Mr Khoo celebrates 30 years at Avcol Polyfest practices in full swing Introducing the Careers Team Learning about Ramadan Sports Notices

We had an exceptional number of Year 11 and 12 students achieving an NCEA Excellence endorsed badge, or a Cambridge Distinction endorsed badges at assembly this week. A full list of recipients can be found here: Our biggest congratulations to each one of them. Not simply for these superb outcomes, but for the endeavour, tenacity and commitment to their studies and academic success.

Regular attendance is one of the strongest indicators of student achievement and long‑term success, and at Avcol we’re fortunate to have Christina Esau-Elu in our Attendance Office who champions this every day. Christina and her team work in E Block where they process students signing out, and ensure accurate record keeping of absences. Planned departures during the school day (such as for doctor's appointments) need to be documented before a student leaves school: Parents ca

Year 12 student Anas Zara has taken an exciting new step in his athletic journey. He recently relocated overseas and signed with Al-Salt, a professional football club competing in the Jordanian Pro League. The official Al-Salt page describes Anas as possessing strong technical skills and distinctive attacking abilities, making him "a promising addition for the future of the team." His mother, Lina, shared the fantastic news via email: “We would like to express our sincere tha

Ms Filimoehala conducting the Avondale College Symphony Orchestra at KBB Music Festival last year One of our music teachers and conductors, Ms Linda Filimoehala, has returned from an extraordinary professional development experience, one that placed her among just five associates selected nationwide to train with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO). The programme consists of three intensive workshops, with the first taking place over four days in February. It opened wit

Athletics Day was a time for the whole school to join together and support each other to try something new, whether it be gumboot throwing, sack racing, javelin, discus, shot put, relay racing, long jump or high jump! Year 13s dressed as polar bears, unicorns, superheroes, fairies, Super Mario characters and more, which added even more fun to the day. The 2026 Athletics Day Champions are as follows:

The first day of Performing Arts Academy 2026 was filled with energy, excitement, and a real sense of whanaungatanga as students came together to begin their creative journey. The teachers focused on building connections through a series of fun icebreaker games, setting expectations, and sharing stories about the opportunities that have arisen out of the Academy from last year's members. The strand leaders, Miss Kettley, Ms Stone (Drama), Mr Robinson (Jazz Music), Miss Hewitt

Toby Barrett playing alongside our student saxophonists Alumni musicians Tyler Diprose, Toby Barrett, Max Crook, and Feiyang Wu returned to Avondale College last week for a day of mentoring current student saxophonists, drummers, guitarists and keyboardists. The mentoring opportunity came about through a timely reconnection at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club, where Avondale’s jazz teacher Mr Robinson met alumnus saxophonist Toby Barrett during his visit to New Zealand. Toby,