Please find below timetables for examinations as follows: Junior exams: NCEA exams: Cambridge exams:

The Avondale College Board acknowledges the government’s recent decision to remove the requirement from the ‘Education and Training Act’ (2020) for school boards to “give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi”. While we recognise this legislative change, we note that this does not change our commitment to Te Tiriti. Avondale College School Board commits to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi including by working to ensure our plans, policies and curriculum reflect tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori, and making instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori. Te Tiriti informs who we are as a school and guides how we develop and maintain relationships. We therefore affirm our ongoing relationship with Te Kawerau Ā Maki as mana whenua and will seek to ensure that our students and staff continue to learn and thrive in an environment that reflects these commitments. This will be reflected in our updated Charter in due course.

Mr Stephen’s science lab was filled with wide eyed wonder (and bubbles!) last week as a group of curious tamariki from our Early Childhood Education Centre came over for a science showcase! The children explored what it means to be a scientist — asking questions, reading big ‘science words’, observing closely, experimenting, and discovering how the world around them works. The adventure began with biology, meeting Avondale College's friendly skeleton and learning about the amazing organs inside the human body. The tamariki remembered the names of their organ puzzle pieces and managed to cram them back together – we potentially some future surgeons here! Next came chemistry – all about mixing. The students played with magic milk, mixed up some stretchy slime, and watched exciting reactions bubble and fizz to create a rainbows and elephant toothpaste. The biggest thrills came during the hands-on volcano eruptions and the spectacular fire demonstration which really wowed everyone. Tamariki showed excellent listening skills throughout the session and followed all safety instructions carefully, proudly wearing their safety glasses just like real scientists. After someone said their favourite science was dinosaurs, the discussion turned briefly to geology and imaginations were used to become dinosaurs exploring the Earth. It was a wonderful reminder that science — Pūtaiao — is really about curiosity: noticing, exploring, and having the courage to ask, “What happens if…?” Ngā mihi nui to Mr Stephen, and also Ms Sivanganam and Ms Chopra for their support as kaiako during the session. We also need to thank our amazing science technician, Keri Sinclair, for preparing all the exciting experiments and equipment. To find out more about our onsite Early Childhood Centre, contact Melissa: m.williams@avcol.school.nz

An informal get-together for some former Avondale College students from the 1960s, held at the Henderson RSA on Saturday 8 November, was a great success. Twenty attendees enjoyed the chance to reconnect, share memories, and catch up with friends - some of whom they hadn’t seen in decades. Organised by Neville Exler for some of his fellow classmates from the 1960s school cohort, the gathering sparked plenty of reminiscing. Many brought along old school photos, while others checked their names off a school booklet circulated before the event. The atmosphere was warm and lively, with stories shared from as far back as primary school. Special moments included welcoming friends who travelled from Waiheke Island and Australia, and celebrating several classmates - like Michelle Keeling and Neville - who reached their 80th birthdays this year. The event wound down after lunch, with everyone expressing how much they valued the chance to reconnect. There’s already strong interest in holding another gathering at the same time and place next year. Warm thanks to Neville for organising such a memorable reunion. Avondale College will be holding further events for past pupils in 2026. If you'd like to be involved, please join our alumni community at www.avcolalumni.nz  or email Communications Director Susan Elijas: ejs@avcol.school.nz  to find out more.

From the Principal Avondale College School Board Update Upcoming events Centenary Time Capsule Challenge Little Scientists in the lab! First four months of living and studying like a Kiwi Students discover futures on Careers trip to Massey University Avondale Classmates Reconnect Noticeboard

One of HEART values at Avondale College is respect, and part of respect means recognising the people and traditions that came before us. To this end, we are creating a Time Capsule to capture what life is like at Avondale College in 2025, celebrating our people, culture and achievements, for our students to open in 2045. We're asking students and staff to contribute letters, reflections, artwork and poetry and getting them to film short video messages. We will also enclose items such as a whole-school photo, yearbook, Taikaka magazine, current uniform, news articles, canteen prices and a video tour of the school in the Capsule. Get involved now! Students can share their thoughts and reflection s here . Students can write a letter to future students here . Students can submit their art, poetry or photos that represents Avondale in 2025 to Mrs Elijas at s.elijas@avcol.school.nz The Ceremony will take place in Week 9 to officially seal the Capsule. It will be opened at Avondale College's 100th Anniversary in 2045.

The highlight of the International Students' activity programme this week was a trip to Weta Workshop, New Zealand’s world-renowned studio behind The Lord of the Rings  and Avatar  films. From learning how props and costumes are designed, to seeing the intricate models and creatures up close, the group gained a deeper appreciation for the blend of imagination and craftsmanship that goes into Weta's work. They even got to have a go at creating their own mini model film sets. For many of the students, this was their first time experiencing New Zealand’s film industry up close. The tour not only showcased Kiwi creativity but also provided inspiration for those interested in design, storytelling, and media careers.

In this Issue From the Principal Upcoming events Wearing uniform with pride, year round International students wowed by Weta Year 10 Drama Students visit UNITEC for “Our Town” Putnam County needs more boys! Encouraging the next generation of Drama students Noticeboard

Our Performance Academy students work hard all year to hone their skills in drama, jazz, classical music and dance, and now they're ready to showcase their talents to the wider community! When: Thursday 20 November, 6:30pm Where: Avcol Theatre Entry:  Gold coin If you have a Year 8 student attending Avondale next year, this is a great opportunity for them to see the amazing work that comes out of the Performance Academies. If they want to register for 2026, they can do so here . Auditions will be held on the 24th and 25th of November.

On Tuesday 21 October, 23 Year 9 students completed a full day Engineering workshop, sponsored and hosted by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). This opportunity arose from their achievement and enthusiasm for Year 9 Product Development Technology and a recommendation from their Product Development teacher. Each team was tutored by an engineer from various disciplines in the field. In the morning, students constructed and soldered an electronic circuit for their robot. In the afternoon students wrote Basic (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) to instruct a variety of inputs and outputs with their robot. Every student took home the completed robot and its programmes, so that they can continue their learning journey at home. It was an absolute pleasure to see students working with professionals who have deep subject knowledge in their area of interest. Avondale College would like to thank the Institute of Engineering and Technology for developing an engaging and challenging workshop, for their sponsorship of the materials and equipment, George Arulanantham and Shankar Suthan for organising the event and Annie, Peter, Frank, Brian, Yojish and Paddy for giving up their normal engineering occupations to come and tutor the students for the whole day. The students represented Avondale College incredibly well. Ms Battley

We’re proud to announce that six of our senior students have successfully graduated from the NZ Police’s Moana Project — a six-month leadership programme aimed at inspiring more Pasifika youth to explore careers in policing. Reflecting on the experience, Year 12 student Gideon Vaopunimatangi shared: "The Moana project was amazing. We were definitely taught some valuable lessons and fed some mean kai! The feeling of graduating the course is great but knowing we won’t get to see and spend some time with our friends from the station as per usual is the sad part. However, we learned that it’s not about the destination but the journey that’ll take us to the end. This is something we won’t forget." Avondale College would like to thank the NZ Police and all involved with the Moana Project for their investment of time and inspiration for our students.

As the school year heads into its final few weeks, our Garden Club students have been digging deep into sustainability and community care through their involvement with the Second Bite project. Second Bite, run by EcoMatters Environment Trust, is a food scraps collection initiative that transforms waste into nourishment for local gardens. Our students have been hands on in this process, helping divert food waste from landfill and turning it into compost for our school garden. Their efforts are not only helping the environment but also cultivating a deeper understanding of circular systems and kaitiakitanga (guardianship). Amanda Hookham-Kraft, Second Bite lead, shared her appreciation in a recent message: “I would like to thank each one of you for contributing as you have to growing this field of experience and learning. I have thoroughly enjoyed my continuous contact with you all and the school.” Avondale College will be featured as a case study in Second Bite’s quarterly report, showcasing our students’ commitment to sustainability and community learning. This recognition highlights the impact our Garden Club has made - not just within our school, but across the wider West Auckland community. Ngā mihi to Amanda and the Second Bite team for their ongoing support.