18 August 2021 Dear Parent, Caregiver, Staff Member, COVID-19 at Avondale College A staff member at Avondale College has been confirmed as having COVID-19. All staff and students of the college are now considered close contacts and must stay in self-isolation at home for 14 days. Even if New Zealand’s national alert level changes from the current Level 4, you must still complete your full, 14-day self-isolation. What does ‘close contact’ mean? You may have been near the person with COVID-19 for enough time to put you at greater risk of catching the illness. It’s important to now watch for symptoms (see below), and to stay at home as a precaution. What should you do now? 1. You must self-isolate - Aside from visiting a testing facility, you will need to stay at home and self-isolate until at least Tuesday 31 August in case you become ill with COVID-19. Information about how to self-isolate is available here. - It is important to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 (see below) while in self-isolation. - The people you live with do not need to do anything (unless you, or they, develop symptoms). If this happens, you and they will need to get tested. Find out more about this here. - You, or your caregiver, will receive a daily call to check on your health and wellbeing during your self-isolation. 2. Get a test. You will need to get tested: · Immediately, and · On Monday 23 August, and · On Sunday 29 August. The test is free. Please give the following code to the testing staff when you visit: SURV-TM18CC. Find your nearest testing centre here. 3. Watch for symptoms Keep watching for the symptoms during your 14-day self-isolation. If you get symptoms, you must have another test immediately and still complete your 14-day isolation – even if your test result is negative. The symptoms of COVID-19 can include one or more of the following: · sneezing and runny nose · a new or worsening cough · sore throat · a fever of at least 38°C · shortness of breath · temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste · diarrhoea · headache · muscle pain or body aches · nausea and vomiting. What if I am vaccinated? Even if you are vaccinated, you must stay in self-isolation for 14 days. This is because no vaccine is 100 per cent effective. You may still get ill, or pass the virus to others, if you are developing COVID-19. Finally, if you know the identity of the person with COVID-19, please do not disclose their names or details to anyone else, including sharing information on social media. This can lead to on-line bullying and abuse. Will continue to update you if there are any change to the above advice. For more information: call Healthline: 0800 358 5453 (a free, 24/7 service with interpreters available). You can also visit www.arphs.health.nz or www.covid19.govt.nz. Thank you for your support. Yours sincerely Medical Officer of Health Auckland Regional Public Health Service

The quality of Avondale College's musicians shone at the Auckland-wide KBB Music Festival, held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral and St Mary's Chapel last week, with our four groups receiving multiple awards. Avondale's Chamber Orchestra's performance of their twenty minute programme was so outstanding that they were one of just four chamber groups invited to perform at Saturday afternoon's Gala Concert. The group received not only a Gold Award at the conclusion of the event, but also the award for the Best Work in an 'Other' Style for their performance of Bosse Nordin's Scottis. The group is led by itinerant teacher Mr Dave Snelling, but are self-directed in performance, with Year 13 student Chelsea Hong (violin) and soloist Irene Kim in Year 12 on viola giving strong leadership. Also receiving a Gold Award in the jazz section of the competition was the Avondale College Big Band, led by Mr Mike Robinson. They too were invited to perform in the Gala Concert, where they gave a high-energy performance of Sing Sang Sung featuring Year 10 soprano saxophonist Ben Ridsdale and trombonist Jakob Elijas. The Avondale College Symphony Orchestra, led by Avondale's Director of Music, Dr Julie Garner, received a Silver Award. Their repertoire included a breathtaking performance of The Prayer, featuring soloists Delores Lesatele and Dom Tupou, which was very well received by the audience. Also receiving a Silver Award was the Avondale College Stage Band, led by itinerant music teacher, Mr David Edmundson. Congratulations to each student who performed in the KBB performances; the high standard attained reflects many, many hours of individual and group work in the months leading up to the competition, and the awards are well deserved!

The Auckland Jazz Competition is the third national secondary schools competition that our students have participated in this year, and once again, they have done extraordinarily well. Avondale College was once again one of the most well represented schools in the competition, fielding two big bands and six combos, under the direction of Avondale's Head of Jazz, Mr Mike Robinson. Two of Avondale College's groups made it through to the final held at the Pt Chevalier RSA on Sunday 15 August, after some stellar performances in the heats held over the previous weekends. They were the Avondale College Big Band and the Avondale College Quintet, who both received Platinum Awards for their performances in the competition. The Quintet also won the award for Best Combo - for the third time this year; an outstanding achievement! RESULTS FROM THE AUCKLAND JAZZ COMPETITION 2021 Platinum Award: The Avondale College Jazz Quintet Platinum Award: Avondale College Big Band Gold Award: Hiri and the High Hats Silver Award: Blue Note Combo Silver Award: Rob's Dogs Combo Silver Award: 52nd Street Combo Silver Award: Avondale College Stage Band Best Combo: The Avondale College Jazz Quintet Most Outstanding Soloist: Toby Barrett - Saxophone Most Outstanding Soloist: Finn Hughes - Drums

Dear Parents / Caregivers Following the Prime Minister's announcement this evening, Avondale College will be closed tomorrow, and is likely to remain closed for a period of at least seven days. All sport and co-curricular activities are cancelled over this period of time. The Stand Up Stand Out event is cancelled and there will be no camp to Taurewa next week. There will be no access to the school site, with the exception of those returning from the Gospel Choir trip to Rotorua (details to follow). Tomorrow, senior students should do independent study as their teachers do the preparation required to switch to Distance Learning. As far as possible, teachers of Year 9 and Year 10 will provide some work for students. Most student work / communication from subject teachers will be through Microsoft Teams. I urge everyone to take this COVID Level 4 lockdown seriously. I send all members of the Avondale College community my very best wishes at this challenging time. Thank you for your ongoing support. Regards, Lyndy Watkinson Principal

Make your contribution to the College by participating in our student representative election. Check that your name is on the roll in order to be nominated. The roll is now available from the Library. If you would like to find out more about being a Student Representative, take a look at the Student Trustee Guide in the Library. Nominations open on Monday 02 August 2021; if you wish to stand for election and have checked your name is on the roll, visit the Library from Monday 31 July to complete a nomination form. Key Dates: Roll open for inspection in the Library: Friday 30 July Call for nominations Monday 02 August Supplementary roll closes: Wednesday 18 August Nominations close: Friday 20 August Voting papers distributed - available from your Home Room: Wednesday 25 August Poll Closes: 12 noon, Monday 27 September Election results: Tuesday 28 September Candidate takes office: Wednesday 29 September Nominations open on Monday 02 August of Term 3. If you are nominated, you will be contacted and invited to attend a meeting with the Principal and Board Chair to develop your statement. The option to submit a postal vote will be available. Please see your homeroom teacher with any questions and keep an eye on the Daily Notices for further information.

Two current Year 13 students, Shreya Sriram and Gayatri Ganesh, took Maths 199- Advancing (semester one) in Mathematics at the University of Auckland, as part of the Young Scholars Programme. They both thoroughly enjoyed this and achieved solid results, with an A minus and a B. "The Young Scholars Programme was a great opportunity to experience what university courses are really like," said Shreya. "It was really exciting to be able to attend the lectures on campus each week and learn about such a fascinating topic. The whole experience reassured me about what I wanted to do in university and my ability to do it successfully, as well as improving my time management skills as I balanced the university course, school and other extracurriculars."

The Auckland Schools Jazz Competition is the largest secondary schools jazz competition in New Zealand, with over forty bands from Auckland schools taking part. Last weekend seven Avondale College bands performed, and two Avcol groups - our Big Band and the Avondale College Quintet - have been selected to compete at the finals this Sunday, 15 August! "This is an outstanding achievement for our students and speaks volumes about their commitment and dedication to their art," says Avondale's Head of Jazz, Mr Michael Robinson. The Auckland Jazz Competition finals will be held at Point Chevalier RSA, 1136 Great North Road, Point Chevalier. There is a $5 entry fee. The Avondale College Jazz Quintet will be performing at 1pm. The Big Band sessions are scheduled to begin at 2:40pm, with Avondale third on the programme. Congratulations to all the students who have made it into this prestigious final - we wish them all the best for Sunday's performances!

This year’s theme for ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week is ‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna which means, connect me to the soil of my ancestors. The theme reflects on the journey of Cook Islands peoples in New Zealand, as well as the longing of young Cook Islanders to connect with their language, culture, and identity. Acknowledging that while community elders are fundamental to the teaching and sharing of Cook Islands language, the leadership of young people as the next wave of cultural and language experts is also critical in keeping the connection to their homelands alive. Here at Avondale College, we celebrated the week with daily homeroom and staff quizzes, a PowerPoint presentation in Tuesday's home room classes, a screening of our Polyfest Fia Fia night performance on Tuesday lunchtime in A30, cultural wear day on Friday and our Meitaki Makete to wrap up the amazing week we had in the PAC foyer. The Meitaki Makete showcased: Cook Island art display/competition; cultural wear display; Cook Island Polyfest group; dance tutorial/performance; food samples; and an 'ei Katu (floral head crown) making demonstration. This was a successful event as crowds of students and staff gathered to celebrate the beautiful culture of the Cook Islands. Meitaki ma’ata to all for supporting Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani 2021! We can’t wait for the next one! - Mrs Jacqueline Nesi

Avcol alumna Grace Nweke has had a great week - not only did she help the Northern Mystics win the ANZ Premiership, but on Tuesday she was named as part of the Silver Ferns squad! https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126022864/grace-nweke-headlines-four-new-faces-in-silver-ferns-national-squad Grace Nweke - Photo Credit: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Having had to cancel last year's Year 13 Geography trip to Rotorua, it was a huge relief to see 71 students and six staff board the Pavlovich coaches on 5 August for their three day adventure! While the weather wasn't very kind to us, we managed to juggle things around so that the most anticipated activities (luging and Velocity Valley adventure activities) did take place in sunshine.Students were studying the development of tourism in Rotorua. We were able to visit the site where it all started - the village of Te Wairoa where early tourists came to visit the Pink and White Terraces, but now known as Buried Village (having been smothered in the 1886 eruption). Te Puia geothermal area showed off Rotorua's unique features, including geysers and mudpools as well as the Carving and Weaving schools. The luge and Velocity Valley represented examples of secondary attractions designed to keep the tourists returning to the region. The shrieks of those on the Swoop as they plummeted from 75m still reverberates! There's nothing like sharing a bunkroom or mucking in to wash dishes to help build camaraderie among students. Avondale College students, showing our values of Respect and Atawhai, made the trip a huge success for all involved. Teachers enjoyed the good humour and positive attitudes exhibited by students on the trip and look forward to discussing the learning opportunities experienced, once everyone is back at school. Ms Gill Hanna, Director of Social Science

Our Music students are having the busiest week ever, with four groups (the Avondale College Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Stage Band and Big Band) competing in the Auckland-wide KBB Music Festival. The two orchestral groups performed on Monday afternoon and evening, in the beautiful venues of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and St Mary's Chapel in Parnell. Particular congratulations to our Chamber Orchestra, who have been invited to perform in the Gala Concert on Saturday afternoon - one of just four groups to be selected for this prestigious event. All the best to our Big Band and Stage Band for their performances on Friday!

Avondale College Board of Trustees 2021 - Student Representative Election Make your contribution to the College by participating in our student representative election. Check that your name is on the roll in order to be nominated. The roll is now available from the Library. If you would like to find out more about being a Student Representative, take a look at the Student Trustee Guide in the Library. Nominations open on Monday 02 August 2021; if you wish to stand for election and have checked your name is on the roll, visit the Library from Monday 31 July to complete a nomination form. Key Dates: Roll open for inspection in the Library: Friday 30 July Call for nominations Monday 02 August Supplementary roll closes: Wednesday 18 August Nominations close: Friday 20 August Voting papers distributed - available from your Home Room: Wednesday 25 August Poll Closes: 12 noon, Monday 27 September Election results: Tuesday 28 September Candidate takes office: Wednesday 29 September Nominations open on Monday 02 August of Term 3. If you are nominated, you will be contacted and invited to attend a meeting with the Principal and Board Chair to develop your statement. The option to submit a postal vote will be available. Please see your homeroom teacher with any questions and keep an eye on the Daily Notices for further information.