Mrs Lyndy Watkinson
AVONDALE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
“In a caring and positive environment, Avondale College will provide an education which enables all students to achieve personal standards of excellence in academic work as well as in the supporting areas of physical, cultural and social development.”
- MISSION STATEMENT
PRINCIPAL'S
WELCOME
NAU MAI, HAERE MAI
Avondale College is a high performing, diverse, co-educational secondary school located ten minutes from central Auckland. Our school motto, Kohia ngā Taikākā, establishes our commitment to provide opportunities for all students to strive for academic, sporting and creative excellence, within an aspirational and caring environment.
Our HEART values: Honesty, Endeavour, Atawhai, Respect and Tenacity, provide the foundation for our community. These shared values are the basis for student-focused relationships which allow our large school to have a strong family feel.
Students are at the HEART of all that we do, and our committed, expert teachers work to support students to reach their potential both within and beyond the classroom. Through our teaching and learning programmes, students are encouraged to communicate effectively, work independently, question, inquire and develop creative solutions.
Avondale College students consistently achieve excellent academic results, across all areas of the school. Our curriculum has strong learning pathways with flexible, innovative courses, providing relevant opportunities for all. As well as the NCEA curriculum we offer Cambridge International qualifications, providing an alternative pathway to top universities and career opportunities, both in New Zealand and overseas.
Our Innovation Programme offers a third qualification pathway, with Avondale College awarding more industry based IT certifications than any other provider in New Zealand, including universities. Our students have gained 19 top-10 places in the Microsoft World Championships over the past 10 years, including 1st in the World in PowerPoint.
Beyond the classroom we provide an extensive co-curricular programme, with a breadth of opportunity for all students to connect to the wider life of our school. In recent years many of our students have represented New Zealand in sport, our Performing Arts groups have won multiple awards and our cultural groups are nationally and internationally recognised. Our environment groups, debating teams and advocacy groups, such as World Vision, provide students with opportunities to question topics of local, national and international concern, and to make positive contributions towards inclusive solutions.
Our well-established academies provide a connection between our academic and co-curricular programmes. Students from Year 9 can participate in the Sports, Performing Arts and Innovation Academies, and the Scholars Academy offers extension opportunities to senior students.
Avondale College has state-of-the-art buildings and facilities. As a result of a major re-build, our learning spaces are purpose built, modern and connected to our world class IT network. Our students benefit from well-appointed classrooms, as well as specialist technology, performing arts, science and sports buildings, all within expansive, landscaped surroundings.
At Avondale College, our expectations are high, opportunities abound, and role models are plentiful. Our students achieve the exceptional and graduate from our school ready to make a positive contribution to their wider community.
We look forward to welcoming you to Avondale College.
Lyndy Watkinson
Principal
ERO REPORT
Education Review Office Summary
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“a school culture that promotes high levels of student success
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The provision of broad career pathways in the curriculum
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Strong systems and processes to support students’ wellbeing
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Teachers' commitment to professional learning to advance their teaching strategies
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Established evaluative processes for reflection and school improvement”
MOTTO &
HEART VALUES
KOHIA NGA TAIKAKA
COLLECT THE HEARTWOOD
The school has a motto of which it is justly proud. Literally it means "to collect the heartwood", to strive after the best things in life and to work, play and act in a manner that will bring credit to each individual and to the College.