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 can send a written note with their child explaining the reason for the absence, or they can complete the E‑form on Family Connection, or email the school directly on absences@avcol.school.nz . If they don't have a note they must visit their Dean, a Deputy Principal, the nurse, or a counsellor to have the absence approved before signing out on the tablets at the Attendance Station. Phone calls aren’t accepted for planned absences, as written documentation ensures everything is properly recorded. If a student becomes unwell during the school day, the process is just as important. They receive a yellow pass from their teacher to leave class and then head to the nurse, who assesses them and signs them out if they need to go home. From a legal and health‑and‑safety perspective, the school is responsible for students while they are on site, so it’s essential that the person collecting them matches the information in our system. This ensures every student is accounted for and safe. Christina says helping your child to grow good habits around attendance is extremely important for their future: "Showing up each day on time is a life skill that they take to work. Being self‑managed and self‑propelling around their own routine is important. Your child is worth it.”

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 thanks to you and the entire Avondale College community for the care, guidance, and encouragement [our children] have received over the years,” she wrote. “Their time at the college has been truly special, and they have both deeply enjoyed being part of the school community.” A sporting all-rounder, Anas was part of the Avondale College Sports Academy and Junior Boys A Football team in Year 9, and played football for the school's 1st XI side in Year 10 and Year 11. He also took part in fencing, orienteering, table tennis, squash, and lawn bowls. Last year Anas won the College Sport Auckland Young Sportsperson of the Year (YSPOTY) award for Lawn Bowls. We wish Anas continued success as he embarks on this new chapter in his sporting career.

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 with the unusual challenge of a silent conducting session. “There was no music, no orchestra - just you, your score, and your own sense of movement,” she explained. “The mentors focused on the gracefulness of our gestures and whether our cues were actually meaningful. You don’t need to be so ‘beaty.’ You need to bring something that adds value to the music.” On the second day, the associates worked with a small group of five string players. Conducting only part of the ensemble forced them to listen differently and communicate with precision. It was during this session that Ms Filimoehala received a memorable piece of feedback: her face was so expressive that the mentors asked her to conduct without using her hands at all. As a euphonium player with an extensive background in brass bands, where precision is essential, she initially focused on marking every beat and every entry. In the world of symphony orchestras, she discovered, a different kind of leadership is required. “In an orchestra, you need to bring players in early, sometimes two bars before their entry. It’s all about connection. You look them in the eye and let them know they’re part of the moment.” This shift in perspective was transformative. She learned that conducting is about leading with the feeling of the piece. The culmination of the workshop was the chance to conduct the full New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - a first for her. “It was the most profound musical experience of my life. From the very first movement, the music pierced my heart so deeply that I found myself just crying and conducting. It felt like I wasn’t standing in front of the orchestra, but within it. Like we were all breathing the same air, sharing an understanding of how the music needed to be felt and we were completely in it together and then the players start tearing up with me. I was so Mafana [Tongan for a warm emotional state]." We're excited to see how her this experience benefits the students under her conductorship!

VACANCIES Teaching positions are advertised in the Education Gazette Education Gazette Kaiawhina Te Ao Māori Avondale College is a large multi-cultural secondary school with over 2,800 students and a commitment to excellence. Our HEART values: Honesty, Endeavour, Atawhai, Respect and Tenacity, provide the foundation for our student and staff community. We are currently looking for a Kaiawhina Te Ao Māori to support our Kaihautū in giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori at Avondale College to support the success of tauira Māori. Key result areas include: Help supervise / support study times in the wharenui Support Kaihautū and Kaiako with organisation related to tauira Māori across the school and in the whānau class Support relationships with local primary & intermediate schools in regards to tauira Māori Support community events such as Matariki and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Be an active member of the staff team for kapahaka and Polyfest practices Support kapahaka as an important year-round activity, as well as competing at Polyfest and performing at other relevant events Work with Kaihautū to ensure school events respect tikanga, e.g. pōwhiri, prizegivings, assemblies Support tauira Māori in their leadership of school events and assemblies Support school events such as whanau BBQ, and Māori Careers event. Play an active role in managing Te Puna Aroha as an asset for our school. Other related goals and objectives as required The successful candidate will have proven experience in a similar role and / or previous experience of working with teenagers. Excellent written and spoken English language skills and experience in Te Ao Māori are essential, and speakers of te reo Māori are preferred. Good IT skills and experience of Microsoft Office is required. This position is permanent, part time, term time only, working up to 18 hours per week between the hours of 8:45am to 3:15pm, Monday to Friday (exact days to be confirmed). The nature of this role requires some flexibility in working hours. The full job description can be downloaded below. To register your interest, please attention your CV and covering letter to Yasmin Khan, Business Manager and apply via SEEK job no. 90486158 All applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand. Terms of employment would be as per the Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement 2022 – 2024. This role is subject to a satisfactory police vet check. Applications close: 4:00pm Sunday 8th March 2026 Job Description

Avondale College is a leading secondary high school for Years 9 to 13. FINALIST Mrs Lyndy Watkinson AVONDALE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL 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. READ MORE LATEST NEWS READ MORE Meet our Attendance Officer From Sports Academy football to the big league! Ms Filimoehala’s NZSO breakthrough Athletics Day time for giving it a go New beginnings for Performance Academy members Echoes of excellence CLICK TO ENTER VIEW PROSPECTUS ENROL NOW ENROL FOR 2025

OUR SCHOOL TEAM FACILITIES COMMUNITY HISTORY BOARD & POLICIES BELL TIMES OUR TEAM EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL Lyndy Watkinson ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL Terry Brown DEPUTY PRINCIPALS 2026 Callum Gray (Year 9) Sarah Drew (Year 10) Ngahuia Lott (Year 11) Jacky Lee (Year 12) Julie Garner (Year 13) Emma Joynes BUSINESS MANAGER Yasmin Khan VACANCIES School Phone: (09) 828 7024 Absence Line: (09) 820 1071 STAFF LIST STUDENT SERVICES DEANS 2026 YEAR 9 Ruqayya Khan & Harry White Ph. 820 1710 YEAR 10 Phoebe Fabricius & Daniel Stainthorp Ph. 820 1709 Year 11 Stephanie Lindsay & Adam Northcott Ph. 820 1708 Year 12 Aaron Harris & Ross Johnston Ph. 820 1738 Year 13 Dave Dewsnap & Pritika Patel Ph. 820 1706 Dean of Engagement & Attendance Emma Prior Ph. 027 382 4477 School Community Parent & Pasifika Liaison Officer Wallace Muaiava Attendance Wellbeing Advisor Dallas Tipau Student Services GUIDANCE Our team of qualified Counsellors are all members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and abide by the Code of Ethics of this association which means that confidentiality is maintained unless there is an imminent risk to safety. The Counsellors work in the Deans’ Corridor adjacent to the Health Centre. COUNSELLORS Jin Tai Valenisia Sinisa Jane Falkiner Tessa Bennett Trudi Gwillim ABOUT GUIDANCE OUT OF SCHOOL HELP HEALTH CLINIC The Avondale College Health Clinic is open from 8am to 4pm to deal with students' health concerns. Students need to obtain a pass from their teacher to be seen by a nurse. Students are not allowed to carry medication in their school bag without talking to the school nurse. LEAD REGISTERED NURSE: Pat Hutchinson REGISTERED NURSE: Ronalee Bishop REGISTERED NURSE: Maria La Roche REGISTERED NURSE: Ashley Roscoe HEALTH CLINIC MANAGER: Sanaa Rajiwate GP: Dr Victoria Bland / Dr Ros Reid PSYCHOLOGIST: Anoosh Franklin / Skyler Hsieh / Jo Watts PHYSIOTHERAPIST: TBA LIBRARY The Avondale College Library is available to students from 8:00am to 4:00pm daily, and until 4:30m on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students can access a large range of fiction and non-fiction, use computers or make use of the extensive e-book collection. COLLEGE SHOP Opening hours: 8:15am - 1:30pm weekdays. MANAGER: Catherine McGregor T: 820 1734 CANTEEN The Avondale College canteen provides a range of food options to students before school, during interval and at lunchtimes. CAREERS Our Careers Department staff are there to help students with course planning, scholarship information and assistance with job and tertiary education applications, CV writing and more. Senior students can book an appointment with Careers staff by emailing the Director. Parents are welcome to attend. DIRECTOR: TBA GATEWAY COORDINATOR: Kaela Muldoon ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER: Yasmin Khan COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Susan Elijas PA TO THE PRINCIPAL: Rochelle Smith PA TO THE BUSINESS MANAGER: Roanne Pamplin PA TO THE EXECUTIVE: Kerri Stent ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT: accounts@avcol.school.nz ENROLMENTS ENROLMENT OFFICER: Kim Lawrence PROPERTY PROPERTY MANAGER: Bruno Zarins SPORTS DIRECTOR OF SPORT: Liz Page SPORTS COORDINATOR: Brooke Tait STADIUM & FACILITIES MANAGER: Bevan Jones TAUREWA OFFICE DIRECTOR: Duncan Smith THEATRE THEATRE MANAGER: Shane Lawrence