Avondale College's Junior Prizegiving was held on Monday 8 December, celebrating the many successes of our Year 9 and Year 10 students in their studies and on the sports field this year. Congratulations to all who received awards. A full list of recipients can be found below:

L-R: Abdullah Ahmed, Jacob Story, Marguerite Smith Last Thursday, College Sport Auckland hosted its annual Young Sportsperson of the Year (SPOTY) awards at Eden Park, celebrating the region’s finest athletes and their outstanding achievements. We were proud to have four nominees representing our school: Jacob Story (swimming), Anas Zara and Abullah Ahmed (lawn bowls), and Marguerite Smith (girls’ wrestling). A huge congratulations to Jacob and Anas (in absentia), who both won their categories! Reflecting on his achievement, Jacob (Year 13) shared: “It’s an honour that I can’t even put into words. Being selected as one of three finalists, amongst such a talented field of athletes, was a privilege in itself, but to be named the overall winner was such a surreal and special moment. As athletes we invest so much in our sports, and it takes a lot of dedication to get to an elite point, so to see it all pay off means the world to me.” Jacob Story (Year 13) - winner Jacob dominated at the College Sport Auckland Swimming Championships, winning three out of four events. Although he was unable to attend NZSS Swimming Championships due to being at the World Aquatic Championships, he had outstanding results at the New Zealand Short Course Championships, NZ Open Swimming Championships, NZ Age-group Championships and Auckland Short Course Champs. At the College Sport Auckland Swimming Championships Jacob won 3 Gold Medals: 1st Senior 50m Butterfly, Gold 1st Senior 50m Backstroke 1st Senior 50m Breaststroke He also finished 2nd with the Senior Boys Team at the AKSS Aquathon Championships. At the World Aquatics Open Short Course (December 2024, Budapest, Hungary) Jacob competed in the Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke and Men’s Open 200m Breaststroke, Setting a New Cook Islands National Record in both events. At the 2025 Auckland Regional Long Course Championships he won Gold in the Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke event and also picked up an additional 3 Silver medals in his age group. At the 2025 New Zealand Open Swimming Championships Jacob finished with two silver medals in open men’s events in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, he won Bronze in the Men’s Open 50m Breaststroke, and he also won 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver in age-group events. At the 2025 Pacific Mini Games Swimming Championships (Koror, Palau) he finished 1st Men’s Open 200m Breaststroke and Individual Medley, 2nd in the Men’s Open 100m and 400m Individual Medley and 3rd in the Men’s Open 50m Breaststroke. At the 2025 World Aquatics Open Long Course Swimming Championships (in Singapore) Jacob competed in the Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke and Men’s Open 200m Breaststroke, setting a new Cook Island National Record in both events. At the 2025 Auckland Regional Short Course Swimming Championships he won Gold in the Men’s 17 yrs 50m Butterfly and Bronze in the Men’s 17 yrs 50m Backstroke. At the 2025 New Zealand National Short Course Championships Jacob achieved excellent results winning three gold medals in the 17-18 yrs 100m, 200m Breaststroke and 50m Butterfly. He also won a silver and bronze medal at the event. Anas Zara (Year 11) - winner Marguerite Smith (Year 12) - finalist Marguerite had a breakout year in her wrestling in 2025. She won Gold in the 58kg Category at the AKSS Wrestling Championships and Silver in the 62kg Category at the NZSS Wrestling Championships. Marguerite was awarded the Curri Cup for Fair Play at the NZSS Wrestling Championships. Marguerite also won Gold in the Under 20 60kg Category at the Waikato Wrestling Championships this year. Ahmed Abdullah (Year 12) - finalist Abdullah was in the team which won the overall title at the Auckland Secondary School Lawn Bowls Pairs Championship. This is his third successive year competing for the school at this event and he has developed his game to another level over this time along with partner, Anas.

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. Performing in Jazz Academy Louis Kelly In the Theatre 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. In Maths class with Dr. Kang 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 Performing in The Gospel Choir Shota Hirano In the gym 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. Painting daruma in Japanese class

Our annual Big Day In is a fun way to end a year of hard work for the Year 9s! Students were tasked with using newspaper to create an animal, outfit and tall tower, which were then judged by a panel of staff. Then it was straight into relays, tug-of-war and hoop shooting! Costume winners: 9LYH Highest structure: 9LYH Best animal: 9CER Relay winners: 9HWL Tug of war winners: 9HWL Shoot out winners:  9HWL, 9CER and 9LYH

In this Issue From the Principal Upcoming events Young Sportsperson of the Year (YSPOTY) Awards The Big Day In Top tips for a flourishing first year Learning about Daruma Alumna Anna's Antarctic Adventure Alumna to star in "& Juliet" Sports News Noticeboard

In this Issue From the Principal Upcoming events Tears & triumph: our 2025 Performing Arts Showcase The next Erin Brockovich? Harper's Harbour Mission Chefs of Compassion Welcoming our Tauira Māori Thanks for the guidance, Mrs Birkhead Sports News Noticeboard

Last week we welcomed soon-to-be Year 9 Tauira Māori into the Avondale College whānau.  The day began with a whakatau in the whare, where tuakana welcomed our teina and spent time building whakawhanaungatanga before joining their rōpū. Students then moved to the Technology building, where Ms de Thierry and Mr Abraham guided them through making porotiti, a traditional decorative disc which spins on string. Afterwards, everyone returned to the wharenui to share kai together, before finishing the day with hākinakina in the gym. The impact of the day was reflected in feedback from whānau. One parent wrote to say how their daughter “couldn't stop talking about how beautiful her day was and how she felt so at home.”

Twenty Year 10 students volunteered their Saturday night to partner with the Chefs for Compassion Trust in hosting an incredible banquet at Avondale College. The event was designed to honour an Auckland family for their courage through adversity. Technology teacher Ms Eleanor Battley explains: "When our family was introduced to us, they noted that since their child was diagnosed with cancer in May, they haven't had many opportunities to go out as whanau."  After the event the family thanked the students for the for the experience, saying: "The food and service was beyond our expectations. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Avondale College and wish the students the very best on their chefing adventures." The four-course menu featured a range of choices, including smoked salmon crostini, a grazing platter, roasted tomato soup, chicken tacos, samosas, Manchurian balls, a crayfish platter, eye fillet steak, lamb rack, asparagus linguini, chocolate mousse, cheesecake, chocolate dipped strawberries, birthday cake and barrista-made coffee. Drinks included elderflower and mint spritzer, berry infused iced tea and, and a sunrise mocktail.    Every aspect of the event was led by students. Some key roles were: Joshua Grant "Meeting and Greeting" Nethini Dharmadasa leading "Event Management." Sanithya Costa leading "Event Design" - transforming the kitchens into a welcome lounge and banquet hall Abigail Stevenson as "Graphic designer and Photographer": designing the invites, menus, place cards and all the event photography.  Som Yadav leader of "Food Design and Prep"  Leigh Alsado leader of "Waitstaff", also frying 11 eye fillet stakes to perfection.  Rosemary Zhang played the harp for the event. Rashi Panchal and Rachelle Fernando were the "Bar Managers" for the non-alcoholic cocktail bar Monica Dean, Tanvi Govind, Vrinda Kumar, Eilin Luddy Bravo, Penelope Wong, Madison Thompson and Chelsea Rush also worked passionately and took on many job roles as required.  Their main goal was to maintain "compassion under pressure" during a complex event. Many things could (and did) go wrong but their mantra was always "no blame, improve" in every situation.   Teachers involved were Ms Batley, Ms De Thierry and Mr Desa.   Special thanks to: Ms Cook for the phenomenal birthday cake (pictured) Tony Dooley and Marty Smith from Chefs for Compassion - for mentoring the students through their first banquet The Child Cancer Foundation for teaming us with a family Our guest family for being such wonderful guests.  We will be offering this extra-curricular opportunity to a new cohort of twenty Year 10s in 2026.

Harper presenting at the NZ Coastal Association's conference Harper Spurway may not have reached her 14th birthday yet, but she’s already discovered her life’s passion: protecting our waterways so they remain clean and healthy for generations to come. Since completing a NIWA Science Fair project on the topic last year, Harper has continued to use commercially available API kits to test the water in Manukau Harbour, and found that the results aren't just consistently bad - they're dismal . “I collected 540 water samples across 10 different sites, across several water quality parameters, such as temperature, nitrate, nitrite, and pH levels,” Harper explains. “What we found was really poor water quality across a range of parameters." With no clear national guidelines in Aotearoa, she compared her results to standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alarmingly, 88% of samples exceeded toxic thresholds for nitrate, posing serious risks to aquatic life. “The Manukau Harbour is a taonga,” she says. “It’s the largest harbour for wading birds in New Zealand, with 60% of New Zealand wading birds come here at some time. That makes protecting it even more important.” Her research also revealed a strong link between land use and poor water quality. Sites near industrial areas and the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant, which discharges 1.4 million Aucklanders' wastewater into the harbour every day, were particularly unacceptable. She reached out to community groups like the Māngere Ratepayers and Residents Association and the Manukau Harbour Restoration Society who corroborated her results. Harper is determined to get her message heard by the right people, believing that urgent action is needed by local and central governments. Harper has just come back from presenting her findings at the New Zealand Coastal Society's annual conference in Napier where she spoke for 15 minutes to an all-adult audience of environmental scientists and activists. Recently, Harper was shocked to learn that Taumata Arowai / The Water Services Authority, was updating their water quality standards - but down wards, and that monitoring had virtually ceased after Auckland's transition into a Super City. According to the Manukau Harbour Restoration Society, there are also wastewater pipes flowing into the harbour that were connected illegally. At Favona under the bridge, she's seen overturned containers with chemicals seeping into the water. "It's a scandal. Regulation and regular testing are necessary,” she insists. “The harbour is a delicate estuary. It won’t be long before it’s beyond repair unless the government intervenes. We need to innovate.” Harper's mission to save the harbour will continue next year - she may be even look into a career in the field post school. “Since I was very young, I’ve always been interested in environmental science,” Harper says. “I’m inspired by the whakataukī: ‘Ahakoa pehea te roa o te tangata e noho ana ki runga i te whenua, ka mate ia; engari te whenua, he whenua tipu tonu, he whenua ora tonu.’  Even when we are all gone, the whenua will still be there. It’s what drives me to action like nothing else.” Harper is planning to start a NIWA Science Fair Club next year at Avondale College for students wanting to create and submit their own project.

Our Performing Arts Academies students took to the stage for the final time in 2025, presenting an impressive showcase of their work across each discipline. From a La La Land  medley, interspersed with scenes from Peter Pan , to award-winning dances, and an impressive big-band jazz ensemble, the students shone as they shared their joy and passion for the arts with their friends and whānau. It was a particularly bittersweet night for our Year 10 graduates, which was evident by the number of hugs and tears shed at the end of the final act! Our ākonga were incredibly proud of what they achieved, and special thanks go to Miss Kettley (Director of the Performing Arts Academy), Miss Schmidt (Director of Dance Academy), Mr Robinson (Director of Jazz Academy), and Miss Filimoehala (Director of Classical Academy) for guiding and inspiring them throughout the year.

This week at assembly we honoured those who students who have completed two years' dedication to one of our Performing Arts or Sports Academies. You can see the full list of award recipients here: Congratulations all - you stayed the course and came away with some incredible experiences and outcomes, and we are immensely proud!

First four mo nths of living and studying like a Kiwi L-R: Nona Walpuski, Nguyen Minh Uyen, Caja Janitz, Ingrid Gjermundsen Hermansen Avondale College's international students come from all over the world and are a vibrant and important part of our diverse school community. This week we caught up with Nguyen Minh Uyen from Vietnam; Nona Walpuski from Germany; and Caja Janitz and Ingrid Gjermundsen Hermansen about how their journey as Avcol international students has gone so far. What were your first impressions of New Zealand when you arrived here? Ingrid: I immediately saw that Auckland is a really multicultural place, and that made me feel very welcome. Nguyen:  People are super friendly. I found it strange that people chat to you on the bus and train. The weather, though, is quite variable! Caja:  Yes, I think my first memory is the rain coming off the plane! Nona:  I also found the people to be kind and welcoming. I love that in only 30 minutes, you can be around tall towers in the city centre, then you can be surrounded by beautiful nature. How has it been settling in with your host families? Nguyen:  My host family is very kind and friendly. They only sometimes ask me to clean my messy room! Nona:  It felt really good from the start. I live with my host mum and her granddaughter, who’s one year younger than me. We fit in really well—it feels like I have a friendship with two people of very different ages. It's a nice atmosphere; we've never had any stresses. Caja:  I made my closest friend at Avondale, Chloe, on the first day here, and her family now hosts me. It's cool being host sisters as well as good friends. What have been the highlights of the end-of-year international activity programme so far? Caja:  Going to the zoo on such a beautiful day. Since the activities programme started in November, it feels like the sun’s been out constantly and we get so much enjoyment out of each day. Ingrid:  I wake up looking forward to school, especially with all the activities we've been on in the last little while like going to Weta Workshop and rock climbing. I think the International Department team has been really supportive and approachable, which makes me feel at ease. Have you picked up any New Zealand slang? Caja:  Definitely! Words like "chur!", "sweet as", "cool as" and "summer bach". I hear new slang every day but I don’t look it up. The Kiwi accent adds “R” sounds to the end of words. Nona:  I’ve noticed people add eh?  at the end of sentences when they want your opinion—we don’t do that in Germany. And they say things like "Go hard!" to encourage you. Have you tried any Kiwi foods? Caja:  My host sister gave me Marmite on the first day and said, “taste this.” She put a big dollop on bread—it was the worst thing I’ve ever tasted! It reminded me of a dish in Norway that’s basically fish and tomato in a can, which only locals love but foreigners hate. Nguyen:  I tried Marmite too—it’s like eating soy sauce. I dislike it a lot. But sausage rolls are great! Ingrid:  The fish and chips are amazing here! And butter chicken pies—though only from bakeries, not supermarkets. Nona:  I love the fish and chips here too! My host family eats spaghetti from a tin on toast, which is super weird but tastes fine. What about traditional Kiwi past times? Ingrid:  Caja and I went to a Warriors game at Eden Park—it was so fun. Everyone was so hyped, each time a try was scored people leapt to their feet waving flags and shouting. We managed to get a photo with one of the players after the game. Nona: I'm privileged to be with a Māori host family and they cooked me a hangi, which was amazing. Have you been able to explore New Zealand beyond Auckland? Nona: I went on the Taurewa Camp for international students and had so much fun. We were shocked 'cause at the beginning we had to give up our phones, which made us feel vulnerable. I arrived without any friends but had so many good experiences—we all became friends and classmates. One evening, we had a challenge where one person was blindfolded and had to direct their partner into the forest. At the end, it was pitch black so even the 'seeing' person struggled a bit! Nguyen:  My host family took me to Rotorua for the hot springs and also Hobbiton at Matamata. Ingrid:  I went on a tour around the South Island with other exchange students from Auckland. It was so beautiful. What else are you looking forward to during your stay? Nguyen:  I want to learn more about the culture here. When I first saw a video of a haka, I was fascinated—it was so powerful, with people making their eyes big and poking their tongues out, saying 'ka mate, ka mate'. They were showing that New Zealand is their home country and they want to protect it. Nona:  This will be my first time having Christmas in summer and I'm looking forward to experience the different customs around that. My host family and I will go to the sea. I’m also excited to take Drama next year, since we don’t have that subject in Germany.