Wednesday 16 July, 3:30-6:30pm Students and their parents and caregivers are invited to discuss choices for 2026- drop in anytime during the evening!   Careers staff and each school department will be present with displays and to answer any questions you have.   Liaison officers from most universities, polytechnics, private providers and the armed forces will be present to ensure your child selects the right subjects for their future and can start planning NOW.   We look forward to seeing you there!

On Thursday 26 June, Avondale College students will take part in Cultural Day, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the many cultures represented at our school. Dress Options: Students may choose to wear:     Traditional or formal cultural attire     National sportswear (e.g., an All Blacks jersey)     Or their regular school uniform Please note:     School shoes are required for health & safety     Flags and face paint are not permitted as part of outfits At lunchtime, students can enjoy cultural stalls and activities in the Atrium, designed to promote cultural awareness and engagement.

Avondale College will be holding an Open Evening for prospective students and their families in the second week of Term 3, on Wednesday 23 July from 4-7pm. There will be no afternoon classes on that day to allow departments time to prepare for the event. Enrolments for 2026 will open at the start of Term 3. IN ZONE In Zone Applications : Open 14 July. Due by 25 July     [Online form will open here] In Zone Interviews 12-14 August   OUT OF ZONE Out of Zone Applications :  Open 14 July. Due by 4pm 27 August     [Online form will open here] OOZ Ballot: 3 September OOZ Interviews:  7-9 October Open Evening Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E5CtpazXd/

Just a reminder that part of Victor Street will be closed from today (23rd of June) until the 13th of July for AT to install a new crossing, footpath, signage and road markings. Please keep this in mind when making pick ups and drop offs. The new installations are in response to requests from local schools to improve safety for students as they walk to and from school and the local parks. To learn about this project please visit: https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/rosebankroad-victorstreet

Not too long ago, Maddie Tomilap (Year 12) captivated audiences as one of the Ronettes in the Little Shop of Horrors . She then wowed crowds at the Town Hall as one of the lead vocalists at The Big Sing. Now, she's ready to bring her powerful, soaring vocals to Jazz and Soul, Avcol's upcoming musical showcase. Maddie will perform alongside Avcol's top jazz and contemporary groups, including AD Soul, jazz combos, and the Avondale College Big Band, which feature classic and modern songs. The impressive lineup also includes Head Prefect, Jed O'Brien playing trumpet in the Big Band and his jazz combo, as well as the Swing 46 combo which won multiple awards at the National Youth Jazz Festival, and which includes 'Best Combo Vocalist', Rose Elijas and 'Best Keyboardist' Max McCulloch. Maddie says taking part in so many of Avcol's musical opportunities has played a large part in developing her voice. "You kinda learn to bounce back quickly and regain your energy after each performance," Maddie explains. "I know how to prepare myself to give my very best." Her love for music began early, and has been strengthened at Avcol. "Growing up, I'd listen to songs in the backseat of the car and sing along. My parents said, 'You should sing at our church.' So I did, and I loved it. Coming into high school, I was able to branch out and do Gospel Choir, Show and Band. Music at Avcol has been a very welcoming space - it's kept me going." At Jazz and Soul, Maddie and the Gospel Choir will perform their set from The Big Sing, including a medley from the movie Tinā , arranged by alumnus Seumanu Simon Matafai. This medley saw the Gospel Choir come runners up in the Leo Pasifika award - for the 3rd time - for a commendable performance using Pacific languages: "it proves we've still got what it takes." But that's not all—Maddie is also part of AD Soul, a contemporary group made up of Lora Praveen Gattu, Faletui Hall and Riannah Stanley-Tito. Their set will feature music by Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Coco Jones, bringing a fresh, soulful vibe to the stage. "Jazz is great, but soul has even more feeling to it," Maddie shares. "You want to move the audience and maybe even inspire them to search for the songs we've performed afterward." Come and enjoy this musical experience - all welcome! Time : Thursday 26 June 2025, 7:00 PM Venue : Avondale College Performing Arts Centre Entry : Gold coin donation

Last weekend was a fantastic time for Avcol dance! Our students took to the stage at the National Dance Challenge at Westlake Girls' High School last Friday. For many, it was their very first time performing on stage as part of a group, and they truly shone. Their performance and conduct throughout the night were a reflection of their dedication and love for dance. A huge congratulations to Zuri Delgado (Year 9), who received an Outstanding Performer Award! This marks Zuri’s first-ever competition representing Avondale College Dance, and what an amazing start it has been. We are so excited to watch her continue to grow and thrive in our Dance programme in the years ahead. Secondly, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dance Leaders Asa Heenan (Year 13) and Dance Leader Ella Eketone (Year 12) for receiving an award for the AvCol Mega Crew, recognising their outstanding choreography. In conversation with one of the committee members last night, we learned that all three judges were blown away by the creativity, execution, and professionalism of the choreography — all of which was created, taught, and performed by the 28-member crew. The fact that the judges couldn’t believe students were behind such an impressive set is, in itself, a massive achievement and a proud moment for us all. Below are the overall results from the event: Variety Category : 2nd Place Dance Academy African Fusion High Gold Award Variety Category : 3rd Place Equal KPOP High Gold Award- ‎Out of 13 Schools Hip Hop Category : 3rd Place Hip Hop AvCol Mega Platinum Gold - Out of 13 Schools Challenger Award  - Senior Contemporary Challenger Award  - Junior Contemporary Challenger Award  - Jazz Dance. The following Saturday, our Avondale College Bollywood co-curricular dance group proudly took to the stage at the Bollywood Showdown competition, held at the Victory Convention Centre. This exciting event saw 23 schools from across the region competing, showcasing a high level of talent and creativity. Our team, led by passionate student leaders Noor Bhala and Ashmeet Kaur, has been rehearsing their competition piece with commitment and enthusiasm since Term 1. Their hard work paid off as they delivered a vibrant and energetic performance that truly represented the spirit of Avondale College. Our presence was strongly felt in the crowd, with supporters cheering loudly and waving signs to show their pride. A special highlight of the evening was Ashmeet Kaur being awarded Best Female Dancer — an outstanding achievement and a testament to her dedication and talent. We continue to celebrate the invaluable opportunities that competitions like these provide for our students, especially our student leaders, who consistently go above and beyond to support and uplift their teams. Their dedication is at the heart of what makes our dance community so special. Congratulations to the entire team for their efforts and for representing our school with excellence! Santana Schmidt Director of Dance

Our Gospel Choir lit up the Auckland Town Hall at The Big Sing last week, delivering stunning performances which saw them announced runners up in the Leo Pasifika Award - for the third consecutive year! Their set featured a medley from the hit Kiwi-Samoan film Tinā , Victor C. John’s animated “Festival Sanctus,” and Marc Shaiman’s “I Know Where I’ve Been” from the musical Hairspray. A massive shoutout to our amazing musical directors, Fredda Sorenson and Seumanu Seuoti Simon Matāfai, whose guidance and passion inspired our students to excel on such a well-known stage. "I’m just so incredibly proud of what the Gospel Choir pulled off at The Big Sing, " says Fredda. "This year has been a real challenge—with Polyfest finishing later than expected and The Big Sing happening a whole week earlier, it felt like everything was squeezed into one big rush. But through it all, the students showed such amazing resilience and determination." "They absolutely rose to the occasion. Watching them come together, support each other, and pour their hearts into the music was genuinely moving. They inspire me every time they step on stage, and this performance was no exception." “The standing ovation they received is a testament to the hard work this year’s team has put in to uphold the high standard set over a 7 year history, since 2018,” adds Simon. “The range of songs performed truly shows the rich talent in our school. I’m looking forward to what comes next for the choir.” The Big Sing is New Zealand’s premier secondary school choral festival, showcasing over 8,000 students from 250+ schools across the motu. It's more than a competition—it’s a celebration of voice, culture, and community, where waiata, gospel, jazz, and classical meet on the same stage.

The Careers Department hosted our annual Trades & Apprenticeships Morning last week – an event designed to support students considering vocational pathways after school. Held over two morning periods in the PAC, the event brought together 14 organisations, including employers, trades training providers like Unitec, and the Armed Forces Trades team. Senior students had the opportunity to walk around, ask questions, and gain insights into the many options available in the trades. A few providers also offered interactive displays, and some lucky students walked away with spot prizes and giveaways. This event is an important part of how we help students make informed decisions about their futures. A big thank you to the local businesses and organisations who generously gave their time to encourage and inspire the next generation of skilled workers.

Talofa lava, In week 6, we celebrated ‘Le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa/Samoan Language Week’. The theme for Samoan Language Week was: ‘Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā – A well- grounded self, is a successful self’. "The theme strongly suggests that an individual achieving his or her potential requires a supportive environment. It strongly suggests that people achieving successes are products of collective endeavours and community support," says the Komiti o le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, (Centre for Pacific Languages). The theme beautifully portrays the ongoing work of our school village, staff acknowledging the third most spoken language in New Zealand through connecting with our Samoan students over Samoan words, phrases, cultural attire and Fa’asamoa (Samoan way of living). Staff and students were able to take part in activities such as Samoan food tasting, ula lole/lolly necklace making, and watching an exciting line up of Siva Samoa (Samoan sancing) by our students last Friday lunchtime. Fa’afetai tele lava to our whole school for embracing Samoan Language Week. Fa’afetai lava to our Samoan Language Week Committee & team – Mr Eneliko, support staff, the Samoan class students, and the Aspiring Pasifika Student Leaders Group, for putting together a meaningful week. La manuia, Guinevere Alai, Director of Pasifika Student Achievement

Excellence in digital mastery runs deep at Avondale College, and this year, three of our Innovation Academy students have once again dominated the NZ Microsoft Office Specialist Championships. Karthik Padma (Year 11), Finn McGregor (Year 10), and Dominic Colaco (Year 9) secured first-place wins in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, respectively—an outstanding accomplishment that not only strengthens their future prospects - it also earns them the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the World Championships in Florida next month. Dominic, whose older sister encouraged him to participate in the competition, was stunned when he received a message congratulating him on his success. “As a Year 9, I wasn’t expecting much, especially competing against all year levels up to Year 13,” he said. “It was incredibly exciting.” He has dreams of studying software or mechanical engineering at University in the future, and hopes to visit NASA while in the US. Karthik, who emerged as the overall New Zealand champion for Microsoft Excel, says his achievements have made him rethink his career aspirations. “I hadn’t thought about going into tech before," he shares, "but after this, I’m seriously considering engineering." Finn confesses that, beyond the thrill of competition, he had another motivator for entering the competition: “Going to Disneyland was a major factor!” Winning a national title from Microsoft, the tech giant behind some of the world’s most widely used applications, gives the students a significant edge and will be a real selling point on their CVs. With only a week to prepare, the students showed remarkable proficiency in their exams, tackling real-world tasks such as creating tables, embedding media, and formatting graphics —skills that are vital in today’s digital landscape. Their success builds on Avondale College's history of earning medal finishes at the national and international levels. Their achievements are a testament to the success of Avondale College’s Innovation Programme, which bridges the gap between ICT education and the digital marketplace. Through this initiative, students gain industry- recognised certifications in Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk, and more—equipping them with skills that extend far beyond the classroom. A huge congratulations to Karthik, Dominic, and Finn for their outstanding success, and a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Prasad and Mr. Ma for their invaluable guidance throughout this journey. We are also thrilled to have partnered with ACE Training as our new IT certification providers, ensuring that our students continue to have access to world- class learning and competition opportunities. As our champions prepare to take on the world stage, we wish them all the best in Florida—where they’ll compete against the brightest minds in digital technology and, hopefully, make time for NASA and Disneyland along the way!

In this issue From the Principal Upcoming events Samoan Language Week: "La malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā" A dazzling 'Night under the City Lights' Avcol students dominate Microsoft Champs Rage, resilience, and rhythm Avcol students promote health & wellbeing at Expo Respecting diversity during Pride Week Mountain biking adventure takes learning off-road Immersing students in the treasures of te ao Maori Careers Updates Sports results Noticeboard

It's nearly time for our NCEA & Cambridge Information Evening! Parents and caregivers of Year 10 students are invited to join us at 6:30pm tonight (Tuesday 10 June) in the Avondale College Theatre. This evening is designed primarily for Year 10 families as students prepare to select their senior academic pathway next term. However, Year 9 parents and students are also welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!