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

Amadeia performing at last year's Sound in Colour showcase From award-winning jazz musicians and accomplished soloists to choir performances and emerging young talent, our Sound in Colour showcase promises an evening of outstanding classical music when it returns to Avondale College next week. The annual music showcase will feature performances from a wide range of student ensembles, including the Gospel Choir, which has recently been selected to perform prestigious Upper Nor

Avondale College students have challenged themselves to make a difference in their communities through our Chefs for Compassion group. In a special visit from Marty Smith, founder of Chefs for Compassion and Commonwealth Poet Laureatte, Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh, students participated in a workshop to develop their compassionate hearts this week. Drawing on themes from her acclaimed memoir Mophead, Marsh led a series of interactive activities and role plays, inviting st

Avondale College was honoured to welcome back distinguished alumna Dr Claire Achmad for a celebration of her work as New Zealand's Children's Commissioner. Claire has always been destined for great things. As a student, her bright smile, positive attitude through adversity and contribution to the arts made her the perfect fit for Head Girl in 2001. It was on the College grounds that she developed an understanding of what it meant to be a good tangata Tiriti, and a love for te

In this Issue From the Associate Principal Serving up compassion & authenticity Haera rā, Dr Claire Simply stunning: Sound in Colour Back on the block: Tutoring Club The stars among us: Talent Quest finalists revealed Who will be judging our Talent Quest stars? New faces, new cultures, new adventures ECEC celebrates 30 years Sports Results Noticeboard

Next week, Avondale College will host two extraordinary performing arts shows: our Talent Quest finals, and Sound in Colour. It takes a lot of hard work and bravery to step on stage and perform, so please come along and support our extremely talented young people. All welcome! Talent Quest - finals When: Tuesday 4 August, 6pm Where: Avondale College Stadium Entry: Students $3 Adults $5 at the door Our finalists are: Bleacher Squad – Dance Group Fatima Al-Ameedi Sanvi Bhardwaj

Louis (4th from left) at the KBB Music Festival last year After years of hard work and dedication, pianist Louis de Biasio (Year 12) has achieved a long-held goal: taking top honours at the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition and earning the opportunity to represent New Zealand on the international stage in Vietnam in 2027. The competition, held at the University of Auckland's School of Music, required entrants to present a 20-minute programme featuring both a classical son

Avondale College's Bollywood dance troupe earned third place at the Bollywood Showdown competition, held at Auckland's Victory Convention Centre in the first weekend of the holidays. The event featured schools from across Auckland, with more than 400 student dancers performing routines inspired by Bollywood and Indian classical dance traditions. For the Avondale College troupe, the competition was the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and teamwork, led by studen

In this Issue From the Principal A podium place for our Bollywood Dance troupe! Striking a chord: Louis wins national piano comp Avcol musos star in All Blacks ad! Thinking Critically, a critical life skill Lighting up the stage at Blueprint Luke storms into OFC finals License to keep learning Compassion & advocacy: Claire's legacy From Avondale to Oxford for alumna KDee Sports Results Noticeboard

Enrolments are now open for our 2027 intake of students. Please apply via the links on our Enrolment page. Students living in zone should apply by 6 August 2026. In 2027 there will be up to 180 out of zone places for Year 9 students, and up to ten places for each of Year 10 to 13. Out of zone applications must be received by 4pm on 2 September 2026. A ballot will be drawn on 9 September 2026.

Students, parents & caregivers are invited to explore subject options for 2027 and get advice to help with subject selection and future pathways. When: Wednesday 22 July, 3.30 – 6.30PM (drop in anytime) Where: Avondale College Stadium Meet with: Careers staff School subject teachers & departments Universities and polytechnics Private training providers NZDF and Police representatives NCEA and Cambridge Information Sessions will also run throughout the evening. Get th

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) will be holding a mobile blood drive in Avondale College's stadium on Friday 31st July, 9am-2pm. The Care of Children Act 2004 allows people 16 years and over to make their own decisions about whether or not they wish to give blood. Students may choose to donate blood at this session. NZBS recommends that students discuss becoming a blood donor with their family. If families have a particular objection to the student choosing to donate blood,

When producers for a new All Blacks television campaign were looking for something special, they turned to Avondale College – and our talented orchestra rose to the occasion. Eighteen orchestra students and Ms Linda Filimoehala, conductor of the Avondale College Symphony Orchestra, spent four hours filming on the College rugby field on a chilly Saturday night as part of Our Home, Our Team, a new promotional advert created by New Zealand Rugby and Sky. The one-minute campaign

Do you have a special talent that deserves the spotlight? Whether you're a singer, dancer, musician, comedian, magician, performer, or have a unique skill to share, the Avondale College Talent Quest 2026 is your opportunity to showcase your abilities and wow the school community. We are inviting students to submit a short video audition of their act for consideration in this year's Talent Quest. This is your chance to step out of your comfort zone, express your creativity, an

Year 9 Drama Academy Our Year 9 and Year 10 Drama Academies took to the stage recently to present an exciting evening of devised theatre for a public audience. Devised drama places students at the heart of the creative process, requiring them to generate ideas, develop storylines, and bring performances to life as a team. The Year 9 students delighted the audience with a lively and imaginative production that brought together beloved fairytale characters in a bold new way. Ma

Nine of our Year 13 Māori and Pasifika students joined peers from across West Auckland for an inspiring day at AUT recently. With the theme “Aspiration to Action”, students took part in workshops on university pathways, financial literacy, StudyLink, and building resilience. They came away feeling motivated, informed, and ready to take the next step. Huge thanks to the AUT Future Students team for an amazing day!

Environment Group's Teacher in Charge Mr Stephen (as styled by Maeve O'Brien & Nell Taylor) The Environmental Groups ‘Clothes Drive’ returned for a second year and proved to be an even bigger success, demonstrating the power of our school community when we come together around a shared purpose. At the heart of the initiative was a commitment to kaitiakitanga - caring for our environment by reducing waste and giving clothing a second life, rather than contributing to the impac

This year’s Cultural Day was a vibrant and joyful celebration of diversity, now in its third year as a much-loved annual event. Students proudly wore beautiful cultural garments, showcasing their heritage with pride and confidence. A highlight of the day was the 21 student-led activity stations on Friday lunchtime, each representing a different country and creating an energetic, interactive atmosphere across the school. With a fantastic buzz throughout, Cultural Day was a tru

Avondale College proudly celebrated Languages Week from 22–25 June, a vibrant lead- in to Cultural Day. The week showcased the richness of our languages programme, with Spanish, French, Japanese, Samoan and Māori students leading interactive lunchtime activities in the Atrium on Thursday. Students from across the school visited language stations, completed challenges, and collected stamps in their “passport” for a chance to win prizes. Junior students took on leadership roles

In this Issue From the Principal Avcol wins national Education Excellence Award! Celebrating diversity with languages week & Cultural Day Get where you want to go with Pathways Planning Jazz & Soul a musical extravaganza Drama Academies deliver wicked & wonderful tales Earth-friendly fashion proves a hit AUT Aspire Day Sports Results Noticeboard