Congratulations to our outstanding Cambridge students who topped New Zealand - and the world - in their 2021 exams! Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards 2021: Seivin Kim – Top in the World in Mathematics (IGCSE) Justin Zhen Yang – Top in the World in Literature in English (IGCSE) Setareh Bazel – Top in New Zealand in Psychology (A Level) Umi Van Dalen – High Achievement in Foreign Language French (IGCSE) Elvis Yung – High Achievement in Foreign Language Japanese (IGCSE) Cole Brown – High Achievement in Information Tech (AS) Nate Evans – High Achievement in Information Tech (A Level) Francis Wee – High Achievement in Law (AS) Elina Jahanbekam – High Achievement in Law (A Level)

Over the past couple of weeks, it has been my great pleasure to welcome students and staff back to Avondale College for the 2022 school year. In particular, I welcome all of the students and families who are joining Avondale College for the first time. Over the past week it has been great to see our students ready to learn, settling quickly into new classes and with positive goals for the year. I trust that you have had a restful and enjoyable summer break, and that students are refreshed and ready for the year ahead. A great deal of work has taken place around the school grounds during the holidays, and we are delighted that the work to provide additional seating and recreational spaces for students has been completed. We look forward to working with our students to add planting to these areas. We are extremely proud of our students for the incredible academic outcomes that they achieved in 2021. In a highly disrupted year, our students clearly made the most of every second they were in our classrooms, and of the high quality on-line teaching and learning that took place. Our NCEA results show a marked rise in achievement levels across all year levels, which is counter to the drop experienced by most of New Zealand. Of particular note is the increase in subject and year level endorsed grades. The Cambridge results are also impressive, again with increased achievement rates, and very high numbers of A* and A grades. Today we were delighted to receive the NCEA Scholarship results, in which our students have achieved 32 Scholarship Awards, including an Outstanding Award in Chemistry. In addition, our students achieved 9 Cambridge Learner Awards, with 7 students Top of New Zealand and 2 who are Top of the World! These are superb results, and our congratulations go to all of our students, their families and their teachers for these achievements. It is unfortunate that once again we start the year with COVID-19 at the fore. Later in this newsletter there is information that explains Avondale College and the Ministry of Education’s planning around COVID. I wish you all the very best for 2022, and we look forward to seeing the progress and achievement of our students over the year. Ngā mihi nui Lyndy Watkinson, Principal

From Tuesday 8 February the College Shop returns to normal Term-time hours: Monday – Friday 8.15am till 1:30pm. Bookings are no longer needed for uniform purchases.

TERM ONE STARTS Wed 2 Feb Year 9 starts between 8.50-9.30am (confirmed times have been sent via email). Students should go to the Main Atrium building when they arrive. School will finish for Year 9 at 3.15pm Year 13 starts at 11.30am. Students should go to their home room. School will finish for Year 13 at 2.30pm Thurs 3 Feb Year 12 starts at 10.00am Year 11 starts at 10.30am Year 10 starts at 11.00am All students should go directly to their home room School finishes for all students at 3.15pm Fri 4 Feb Teacher Only Day Mon 7 Feb Waitangi Day Observed (School closed) Tues 8 Feb All students start timetable Normal school hours resume 8:50am – 3:15pm

The Government has moved all of New Zealand to the Red setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework to slow the spread of Omicron. Auckland Transport (AT) wanted to get in touch to let you know what’s happening with their bus, train and ferry services and what you need to know when travelling with them. Timetables during the COVID-19 Protection Framework Plan your journey To find out more, please contact AT Auckland Transport (at.govt.nz) Contact us (at.govt.nz)

We enjoyed welcoming our new year 9 cohort to Avondale College yesterday. The year 13 students and prefects worked hard to make them feel part of the school and we are delighted to welcome back years 10, 11 and 12 students today. There is no school for students tomorrow or Monday, so we look forward to timetabled lessons starting on Tuesday 8 February at 8.55am.

Follow the links below to download the stationery lists for each year level, or view online at Stationery Lists 2022 | Avondale College (avcol.school.nz)

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In 2022 the Avondale College Shop will be introducing an appointment system for purchasing uniform. This will help us ensure the number of people on site is limited, in accordance with Health & Safety considerations, while also enabling families to select a time that is convenient for them. The College Shop will open from Thursday 20 January, in the Avondale College Atrium (Victor Street entrance). The days and hours of opening, and the uniform price list is listed on our website: https://www.avcol.school.nz/uniform To book your 30 minute appointment, follow the link below and select a suitable date and time on the bookings calendar. https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/AvondaleCollegeBookings@avcolschoolnz.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/ Please note that the Avondale College Shop will have some restrictions due to Health & Safety considerations: We encourage families to come prepared, knowing the correct sizing required. Guidelines will be available on the school website to help select the correct size for your child We would prefer just one adult to accompany the student. If there is more than one student per family, please come together in the one appointment It is mandatory to sign in either using the QR code or with our paper register Wearing a face mask is mandatory on school grounds and including the College Shop Avondale College will not be taking second-hand items until we are in 'Orange traffic light' setting The link to the booking system can also be found on our website. Alternatively, bookings can be made by emailing Collegeshop@avcol.school.nz or by phoning: 09 820 1734.

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Taikaka, the Avondale College yearbook, promises to be a very special edition this year, packed with hundreds of photos, articles, artwork, awards and memories of 2021! The cutoff date for ordering your copy of Taikaka 2021 is approaching, with orders and payments needing to be made by Friday 3 December. Cost: $15 (subsidised) plus optional $6 for postage. To order your copy, please fill out our form by following this link

Congratulations to all our subject prize winners, Special Awards and scholarship recipients for 2021. Find out more in our Heartbeat Special. To view in full screen, click the four arrows at top right.