Motto The school has a motto of which it is justly proud: Kohia Nga Taikaka. Literally it means "to collect the heartwood", to strive after the best things in life, and to work, play and act in a manner that will bring credit to each individual and to the College. Mission Statement In a caring and positive environment Avondale College will provide an education which enables all students to achieve personal standards of excellence in academic work as well as in the supporting areas of physical, cultural and social development.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Avondale College is proud to present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee , a Tony Award-winning musical! Spelling Bee is the story of an eclectic group of teenagers vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the teens spell their way through a series of (potentially made up) words, hoping never to hear the soul crushing, pout inducing, life un-affirming ‘ding’ of the bell. The show is directed by Avondale College's Director of Drama, Ms Rita Stone. Show times: Wednesday 13 May, 7pm Thursday 14 May, 7pm: $10 Thursday! Friday 15 May, 7pm Saturday 16 May, 2pm Matinee Saturday 16 May, 7pm Venue With our Performing Arts Centre currently under reconstruction, the shows will take place at Te Pou Theatre (part of Corban Estate Arts Centre), 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson Tickets: $20 for Adults $15 for Children/Students/Seniors $70 for a Family of 2 Adults and 3 Children On Thursday, all tickets are just $10. (Please note: a 50c booking fee per ticket will apply at checkout). BUY TICKETS

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 From curiosity to confidence Avcol conquers Shakespeare Festival Kapa haka group steals spotlight at Polyfest Heartbeat T1W10 1/04/26 Term 1 Honours Assembly Don't miss a beat: Avcol Polyfest times CLICK TO ENTER VIEW PROSPECTUS ENROL NOW ENROL FOR 2026

CO-CURRICULAR THE ARTS SPORT TAUREWA CAMP GROUPS SPORTS ACADEMY PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY The Performing Arts Academy brings our enthusiastic and dedicated students together in a practical and unifying way. PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY The Avondale College Performing Arts Academy is a high-performance programme aimed at giving our most gifted and passionate young artists the opportunity to develop their talents in a rich environment resourced with specialist teachers and purpose-built facilities. Four Academy strands are offered at Year 9 and Year 10 level: Drama, Dance, Music - Jazz and Music - Classical. Students receive five hours of tuition a fortnight from 7:45am to 8:45am. HOW IT WORKS The programmes engage students in challenging but exciting learning experiences and develops performance techniques, confidence, communication and presentation skills. Students have the opportunity to gain qualifications in externally provided examinations offered by the New Zealand Music Education Board, the New Zealand Academy of Modern Dance, and the NZ Speech & Drama organisation. Throughout the year, Academy students are offered performance opportunities that develop their skills in the theatre context. These opportunities relate directly to other curricular and co-curricular performance pathways in the senior school. MUSIC - JAZZ Jazz Academy students focus on the main elements of jazz, including improvisation, swing, composition, arranging and performance. Each week the course will build on students' abilities to use these elements in group and solo situations. DANCE Students in the Dance Academy receive extended tuition in dance techniques, performance skills, choreography and physical conditioning. The programme explores an extensive range of dance genres and styles, including hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre and cultural dance forms. The programme is co-constructive, allowing students to create a pathway of learning that supports their personal dance pathway. DRAMA The Drama Academy offers an extended programme of drama and performance to foster skills in public presentation, expression and collaboration as well as confidence. Our akonga are encouraged to extend their imaginations through opportunities to create interesting and successful performance work, whist forming long-lasting relationships with their Academy peers and the teaching staff. MUSIC - CLASSICAL Classical Academy students develop ensemble skills with guided rehearsal and performance as part of a chamber group. They deepen their understanding of classical music styles relevant to their chosen instrumnent through the study of music relevant to their instrument. HOW TO APPLY Entry to the Performing Arts Academy is by audition. Please register your interest by filling out the online form on our Enrolment page . For more information, please contact paa@avcol.school.nz

CO-CURRICULAR THE ARTS SPORT TAUREWA CAMP GROUPS SPORTS ACADEMY PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY “In a caring and positive environment Avondale College will provide an education which enables all students to achieve personal standards of excellence...” - AVONDALE COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT CO-CURRICULAR Avondale College offers students many opportunities to learn new skills, make friends and have fun through participation in a wide range of co-curricular activities. With more than 25 different sports on offer, performing arts opportunities in music, dance and drama, over 15 different cultural performance groups, and a wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs, there is something of interest for everyone! All students also spend time at Taurewa, our very own camp located beside the World Heritage Site of the Tongariro National Park. To find out more about our co-curricular activities, click on the images below.

VACANCIES Teaching positions are advertised in the Education Gazette Education Gazette Community Facilities Manager 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 seeking an enthusiastic Community Facilities Manager to join our team to provide a professional level of service to our community and school user groups. The Community Facilities Manager is responsible for overseeing the stadium, turf, courts and fields during the hours of operation of Monday to Friday 5.30pm –10.00pm and weekends 7.00am –10.30pm. Working up to 40 hours per week, days of work will primarily be Monday to Friday with some weekend and evening work also required, exact days and times to be agreed on appointment. The successful applicant will have relevant experience and the following attributes: Professionally manage the operations of the Community Facilities in accordance with policies and procedures set by the Board and Management. Work collaboratively with College Management to ensure Community Facilities best meets the needs of college and community. Grow and promote community user groups Demonstrate a passion for sport and an ability to promote the facilities for community use. The capability and experience to coach a sports team(s) would be an advantage. Excellent communication and attention to detail. Management of community facilities part time staff. Provide timely reporting to College Management and stakeholders. To promote and oversee Health & Safety and maintenance of the facilities in conjunction with the Health and Safety Manager. Proficient with Microsoft Office A sports related qualification would be an advantage. Full NZ Drivers Licence The job will suit someone with experience in sports facilities/events and some staff management. The job full job description can be downloaded below. To register your interest, please apply via SEEK job no. 91466397 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 and IEA. This role is subject to a satisfactory police vet check. Applications close: 4:00pm Friday 26 April 2026 Job Description Library Manager Avondale College is a large multi-cultural secondary school with over 2800 students and a commitment to excellence. Our HEART values: Honesty, Endeavour, Atawhai, Respect and Tenacity, provide the foundation for our student and staff community. Our school library is a vibrant and busy hub for information literacy and inquiry learning. We are currently looking for an experienced Library Manager to manage our library’s strategic direction and day-to-day operational management. This is a key role in which you will have a recognised library qualification and proven experience in engaging students and staff with the joys of reading and utilising library resources. Essential skills include experience in information technology and research skills, along with a flexible attitude and the ability to communicate well in a multi-cultural environment. Experience and an interest in working with teenagers is highly desirable, as is previous staff management experience. The successful candidate will continue to develop a collection that meets the reading and information needs of our school community in a variety of formats and manage the library budget in accordance with school practice. The job full job description can be downloaded below. This is a full-time and permanent position. Working 40 hours per week between 8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, term time only. Terms of employment would be as per the Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement 2022 – 2024 and IEA. To register your interest, please apply via SEEK job no. 91605294 Please ensure your cover letter demonstrates how your skills, knowledge and experience make you an ideal candidate for this role. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand. This role is subject to a satisfactory police vet. Applications close: 4.00pm Sunday 3rd May 2026 Job Description

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PASIFIKA COMMUNITY Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, Kia Orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Bula Vinaka, Namaste, Malo ni, Halo ola keta, Mauri, Fakatalofa atu Pasifika students at Avondale College achieve at the highest level in the classroom, on the sports field and as performers in cultural groups, music, drama and dance. Students from across the Pacific are represented at Avondale College, including Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Fiji, Tokelau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Kiribati and New Caledonia. STUDENT LEADERS GROUP Senior Pasifika students are part of our Māori & Pasifika Student Leaders Group, who meet twice a term to discuss the successes, concerns, needs and wants of these groups of students. Students from the Leaders Group have led the organisation and planning of a number of events at school, have helped us to analyse our data for Māori & Pasifika achievement and have played a leading role in some Professional Development activities for staff. STUDENT SUCCESS Our Pasifika students enjoy considerable success in the classroom and achieve well above national levels. Over recent years the performance of our Pasifika learners has improved considerably and our staff continue to focus on working towards equitable outcomes for Pasifika students. PASIFIKA STUDY GROUP All students are welcome to join this weekly study group in the library every Wednesday after school, 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Students, come along and get your homework done, study for exams, learn some study skills and be with your peers. Any questions, email Ms G Alai: ala@avcol.school.nz COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Pasifika community leaders, families, students and staff connect each year at our annual Pasifika Leaders Dinner. This event is centred around celebrating and supporting the further success of our Pasifika students. Many of our Pasifika students (and families!) are involved in the annual Polyfest cultural festival held in Term 1 each year. Groups include: Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Cook Island, Tuvaluan and Fijian.

RESULTS ACADEMIC NCEA CURRICULUM CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARS ACADEMY INNOVATION ACADEMY "Relationships between teachers and students, and among students, are positive and affirming." - ERO ACADEMIC ACADEMIC PROGRAMME Avondale College offers a wide range of subject choices. These are listed in our Academic Programme. ACADEMIC PROGRAMME 2026 EXTENSIVE CURRICULUM Our aim is to provide the education best suited to the needs of our student and the community that we serve, and we stress the importance of an academic curriculum that offers junior students a wide choice of subjects and seniors an academic programme that will prepare them well for tertiary studies and their future career. Our timetable is structured so that students can study subjects at different levels in the same year. CHOICE OF NCEA & CAMBRIDGE Our senior students have the unique opportunity to choose from two education pathways, NCEA or Cambridge (CAIE) both of which offer a wide range of subjects to suit the individual interests and strengths of each student. ENRICHMENT Advancement through course enrichment enables capable Year 9 and 10 students to be extended and well prepared for NCEA Endorsement or CAIE A*/A grades in Year 11. There is acceleration in Mathematics (NCEA or CAIE) from Year 10 onwards. At senior level, our Scholars' Academy is designed to extend and enrich senior students academically through workshops and tutorials. LEARNING SUPPORT Our Learning Development Department works with individual students to support their learning, including the provision of Special Assessment Conditions where necessary. For those students who have particular needs which cannot fully be met in mainstream classes, our Learning Support programme offers a semi-homeroom situation with individual and small-group teaching. BYOD Avondale College is a Bring Your Own Device school, and students need to bring suitable digital device to class.. For those families who wish to purchase a device for their child, we have teamed up with PBTech who offer a full range of quality devices to choose from. Further information can be found here: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/education/byod/avondale-college We appreciate that purchasing a device might be a stretch for some families, so if you would like to enquire about our small number of loan devices, please contact your Dean. To find out about recommended device specifications and more, please see our Stationery List

OUR SCHOOL TEAM FACILITIES COMMUNITY HISTORY BOARD & POLICIES BELL TIMES 1/1 Click image above to view gallery. HISTORY History of Avondale College The site and buildings of Avondale College began their life as an American Naval Hospital in 1943: U.S. Naval Mobile Hospital Number 6. At that time the USA was preparing for an extended Second World War battle in the South Pacific and Auckland was chosen as one of a few New Zealand cities for hospitals to tend the wounded army and naval personnel. Fletcher Construction was the builder of the hospital. The Department of Education had some of the site planned for a new secondary school to cope with the overcrowding of Auckland secondary schools. The hospital was given first priority, but a small portion of the buildings were built in permanent materials so that the wards, the gymnasium, the hall and some other buildings could easily be converted into a school at the end of the war. The extent of the hospital was huge, taking up all of the present school site as well as the nearby Rosebank Park and fields. The war in the Pacific did not reach the scale it was feared it could become and, in fact, the hospital was not used for wounded personnel. In February 1945 the Education Department recommended that Avondale Technical High School (as it was first named) and the neighbouring Intermediate School should be supervised by one school committee and it was the 6th February when five hundred and fifty students and twenty-one teachers gathered to begin turning the former hospital into a school. This was no easy task as New Zealand was still virtually operating under war conditions so that supplies and orders for the school were a good eighteen months from order placements to delivery. However there were compensations. Student accounts from the school magazine Taikaka reveal how proud students were of their brand new school buildings, their very well qualified teachers and the sense that Avondale College (renamed in 1948) was leading New Zealand in a number of ways: it very soon became one of the largest schools in New Zealand; it embraced with vigour the new national curriculum; it took students outside the classroom on field trips; it developed a huge orchestra; it produced wonderful dramas and musicals; it had an expansive technical block. Since 1945 the six previous principals of Avondale College (L.E Titheridge, A.R. Stephenson, W.R. Familton, A.H. Burton, P. R. Raffills, B. Lewis) have all extended and rebuilt the buildings (especially after the devastating fire in 1990), redeveloped the site and playing grounds, created an outdoor education camp in the National Park, established exchange schools in Japan and Noumea, developed business relationships with the local community, installed the latest technologies for students and staff. Along with this has been a steady increase in the scholastic and sporting achievements of the school to the present day where both the school and its achievements rank it among the best in New Zealand. A fuller account of the school’s history up to the 50th jubilee can be found in the jubilee book called: Avondale College 1945-1995, the First 50 Years, available from the National Library service. In 2025, Avondale College celebrated our 80th Jubilee. As part of the celebrations, students put together a Time Capsule for opening at our 100th Jubilee in 2045.

80th Jubilee Jubilee Weekend / Reunion: 2-4 May 2025 Avondale College will be celebrating 80 years of excellence in 2025! The year will be marked with a number of different celebratory events, both in and out of the classroom. A Jubilee Weekend will be held on 2-4 May 2025, where former students, staff and board members are invited to come back to Avondale College to reconnect with friends and reminisce and celebrate the many significant events across the College's 80 years. The weekend will include school tours, a mix and mingle event, sports games, staff morning tea, an Official Jubilee Event, and a fun family festival for our whole community, past and present. Please spread the word to others who may be interested and get your tickets now! To book tickets, click the link below which will take you to our Trybooking site. Please note that 50c ticketing fee applies. For more info, contact Communications Director Susan Elijas, ejs@avcol.school.nz Free Family Festival - Sunday 4 May On Sunday 4 May the entire Avondale College community past and present are invited to come to the Avcol fields for a free Family Festival event! Bring a picnic rug and enjoy watching performances from our award-winning music and dance groups, cultural performances from our Polyfest groups - and more! There will be food trucks, sausage sizzles, bouncy castles, stalls and more. Should it be raining on the day, the event will move to the school stadium. Please help us spread the word about these once-in-80-years events!

Cambridge International Cambridge International is administered by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). UCLES is one of the world's leading examining bodies. Established in 1863 it provides examination services in over 160 countries around the world. Although CAIE is based in the United Kingdom, and the structure of the Cambridge International awards is the same as the UK awards, its courses are designed for the international community. Cambridge offers three general secondary qualifications: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) - usually taken in Year 11 Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS) - usually taken in Year 12 Advanced Level (A Level) - usually taken in Year 13 Cambridge courses are generally assessed through external examinations. The different course components of each subject are assessed by separate examination papers, including practical work in the sciences. Students receive grades and percentage marks for each subject. Examinations are held twice a year in May/June and October/November. Students will generally sit their examinations in the October/November session. In a small number of courses the May/June session will be selected as the more appropriate. Cambridge qualifications are recognised internationally. They can be used as University Entrance qualification in New Zealand and overseas. THE INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (IGCSE ) - YEAR 11 Provides a foundation for higher level courses, especially AS/A Level. Subjects are generally studied at Year 11. Some subjects will be available in Year 12. In some IGCSE subjects there are two course levels - Core Curriculum and Extended Curriculum. The extended curriculum offers a more challenging course. The following grades are available: - Extended Curriculum : A*, A, B, C, D, E - Core Curriculum : C, D, E, F, G, H A ‘G’ grade is regarded as a minimum satisfactory performance against the learning objectives of each subject. ADVANCED LEVELS (AS/A2) - YEAR 12 Are the first half of a full A Level (the second half is known as A2) and are generally studied in Year 12. Some AS levels, developed by New Zealand schools in conjunction with CAIE, are only available as Year 13 courses. Cover the core, foundation aspects of a subject at an advanced level. Are worthwhile, stand-alone qualifications that can be used for tertiary entrance. Five pass grades are awarded: A, B, C, D, E. Marks below these are ungraded. A LEVEL (A2) - YEAR 13 An AS Level can be carried through to a full A Level by completing the second half of the syllabus known as A2. (There is no such thing as a separate, stand-alone A2 qualification). A2 courses are available as Year 13 courses and only to students who have already completed AS. A Level syllabuses offer challenging assessments to stretch the most able students. Students who have completed their AS course the previous year have the option of re-sitting the AS exam in their A2 year in order to improve their overall A Level grade. Five pass grades are awarded: A, B, C, D, E. Marks below these are ungraded. THE DUAL PATHWAY NCEA and Cambridge qualifications are available in Years 11, 12 and 13. Students have two pathways to qualification: Pathway 1 - NCEA Level 1 (Year 11), NCEA Level 2 (Year 12), NCEA Level 3 (Year 13) Pathway 2 - IGCSE (Year 11), AS Level (Year 12), A Level (Year 13) (Note: Multi-levelling can occur within each pathway.) COURSES AVAILABLE For more information about Cambridge International at Avondale College, please download our information booklet below. CAMBRIDGE INFORMATION BOOKLET RESULTS ACADEMIC NCEA CURRICULUM CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARS ACADEMY INNOVATION ACADEMY