Top tips for a flourishing first year

zclr56
2 days ago
3 min read

As we look ahead to 2026, we are looking forward to welcoming new students to Avondale College!

Our Whanau Handbook will be sent out to all our new families in mid-December with all the information needed for the start of the year. New families, please keep an eye on your inbox for this before Christmas.

Transitioning from intermediate school to secondary school can be an exciting but challenging time. We spoke to five students who are coming to the end of their Year 9 about their experiences and tips for the Year 9s of 2026.

Yenumi Andurammulle Hewage

Previous school: Avondale Intermediate
Co-curricular activities: I'm in Drama Academy, and I also completed an Industry Certification called Digital Literacy Level 1, because I thought it would be a good idea to get a qualification while I'm still at school.
Favourite subject: Science because it's so practical.
First memory of Avcol life: Getting lost on the way to Maths class.
Advice to new Year 9s: It felt so big and daunting but now Avondale is my second home. Give it time, and step out of your comfort zone. Don't always sit in the same place in home room so you get to know others around you.

Yenumi's dance group performing at the recent Showcase

Tiahuia Wara

Outside her home room

Previous school: Pasadena Intermediate
Co-curricular activities: Jazz Combo, Jazz Academy, Kapa Haka, School Show
Favourite subject: Food Tech, because you get to eat your work!
First memory of Avcol life: I was super nervous at first because I didn't have any friends from Intermediate coming to school, but everyone was really nice.
Advice to new Year 9s: In terms of managing schoolwork, get on to things early, because we do have exams at the end of the year. If you're doing lots of activities, make sure you plan in advance to make sure there aren't any clashes. I'm in the Whānau Class [optional home room for Māori students] which I recommend 'cause you get to mix with all different year groups, and it was there I was encouraged to take part in the Kapa Haka group at Polyfest and also Ngā Manu Kōrero, the Māori speech competition. In terms of making friends, simply talking to people and being kind to them is the quickest way.

Louis Kelly

Previous school: Avondale Intermediate

Co-curricular activities: Performing Arts Academy, Shakespeare Regionals, School Show, Theatre Technician, Film Club

Favourite subject: Social Science, because I like learning about the government and politics.

First memory of Avcol life: It was really big and I worried about settling in.

Advice to new Year 9s: On "Join In at Avcol Day", sign up for lots of activities! One of the things I signed up for was to be a Theatre tech. Learning how to control the spotlight for the school show was challenging and fun. It felt amazing to be part of a big production and to see how much the audience enjoyed the performance. Being part of Drama Academy has also been a great way to make friends, since everyone there is so friendly and outgoing. My advice would be to give everything a go—you never know what you’ll enjoy until you try it. Exploring different opportunities can also help you figure out which subjects you might want to study in the future.

*Louis performing in "Peter Pan" for Drama Academy*

Raquel Halalele

Previous school: Avondale Intermediate

Favourite subject: Drama. It's a very social subject which I love, and it helps you build your confidence.

Co-curricular activities: Gospel Choir, School Show

First memory of Avcol life: I remember thinking "this is school is massive, I'm going to get lost here," and I did! But I got used to it and I actually really like the campus grounds.

Advice to new Year 9s: Don't work it up in your mind; often what you fear doesn't happen. After a few weeks you'll find your people. Be yourself and remember what you hold as your values, and don't let anyone change that. Listen to yourself. The right people will like you for you.

In English class

Shota Hirano

Previous school: Rangeview Intermediate

Co-curricular activities: Softball and volleyball

Favourite subject: PE, because you get to use your body as well as your mind, and you get to have fun with your friends.

First memory of Avcol life: It was scary at first, because you're around kids who are much bigger than you. I started enjoying it after I made friends, many of them I made through softball and volleyball. My older brother comes here too and has done really well, and knowing that was helpful.

Advice to new Year 9s: Try new things, meet new people, and play a new sport.