In this Issue From the Principal Upcoming events Exam timetables Performing Arts Awards 2025 Avondale College students represent Pacific Islands at UN Youth Media Studies Film Night 2025 Bright Ideas: Technology lampshade exhibition Student creativity shines in Technology exhibition A HEART-filled & fun farewell for our Year 13s Sports Results Noticeboard

Our 2025 Performing Arts Awards winners What a year it's been for Avcol performing arts! On Thursday last week, we celebrated those who have consistently demonstrated excellence, leadership and dedication across Music, Dance and Drama. The audience was also treated to performances from our Chamber Orchestra, the Love's Labour Lost Shakespeare team, Street Dance Crew and the Little Shop of Horrors cast - all award winners in their own right. Valedictory speeches were given by Jed O'Brien (representing Music), Arlo Lorien-King (Drama) and Zara Rose (Dance), chronicling their Avcol performing arts journeys and paying homage to their teachers and peers who supported them along the way. Extra congratulations go to those who won special awards: MUSIC Jed O'Brien Outstanding leadership, excellence and contribution to Jazz Music Gaon Park Outstanding leadership, excellence and contribution to Classical Music Faletui Hall Outstanding leadership, excellence and contribution to Vocal Music Carter Tharp Outstanding leadership, excellence and contribution to Contemporary Music Gaon Park Outstanding Leadership in Music Faalogo Wells-Collins Tony Jansen Cup for Service to Music - Year 12 Chamber Orchestra Co-curricular Group of the Year Our Music Award winners DANCE Avcol Dance Crew Outstanding achievement from a co-curricular group Ella Eketone Te Tohu o te Wairua Kanikani – The Spirit of Dance Award Mischa Hosie For Leadership in Dance Zara Rose Outstanding leadership, excellence and contribution to Dance Street Dance Crew DRAMA Liam Presling Most Outstanding Performance (Drama) Isaac Yeh Most Outstanding Performance (Comedy) Arlo Lorien-King Outstanding Leadership, Excellence and Contribution to Drama Love's Labour Lost Drama Co-curricular Group of the Year Outstanding Performance in the School Show Isaac Yeh Isaac Yeh, Liam Presling & Arlo Lorien-King PERFORMER OF THE YEAR Performing Artist of the Year - Lora Praveen Gattu (pictured below) A full list of award winners can be found here: What a truly outstanding lineup!

Dear Parent/Caregiver and Students, The PPTA has now confirmed that strike action will  take place this Thursday 23 October, affecting ALL Year levels. The Avondale College School Board have been advised by the PPTA that member teachers will not teach students on that day. We have an insufficient number of non-union staff to be able to provide safe and suitable relief cover to the classes that union members teach, therefore all students should work from home on Thursday and continue with independent learning. Limited supervision will be available at school—please email admin@avcol.school.nz  if this is required.   Cambridge exams, Sports Awards, and most events, activities, and sports will continue as scheduled  on Thursday , especially those before 9am and after 3.15pm.    Please be advised that the PPTA has also proposed a ban on co-curricular activities next week on Wednesday 29 October. We will inform you of further details if confirmed.   Yours faithfully,     Avondale College T  09 820 1704  E admin@avcol.school.nz   W   www.avcol.school .nz Victor Street, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand

Over the school holidays, a dedicated group of Year 12 and13 students took part in our two-day Learner Driver License course right here at school. Day one was packed with road code study and practical tips from the Business Chamber Drive Programme instructors, ensuring students were well prepared. Day two was the big test with all participants sitting their learner licence test with VTNZ. We’re thrilled to share that every single student passed! It was a valuable experience that gave students practical skills and boosted their readiness for life on the road. Well done to all our students for their hard work and commitment.

Arabella Jones-Ionatana & Mia Yates What a fantastic weekend it was for our dance soloists Mia Yates (Year 9) and Leila Lindqvist (Year 10) and our Dance Academy Hip Hop crew at the Festival of Dance competition! It was both students' first time competing. Mia received a commendation for her Musical Theatre piece, Don’t Rain on my Parade, and was wonderfully supported and mentored by Year 10 dance student, Arabella Jones-Ionatana. Leila placed 2nd in her category with an impressive score of 88/100. Both dancers received fantastic feedback from the judges, gaining valuable insights they’ll take with them as they continue their dance journeys. Our Dance Academy Hip Hop crew, led by Year 11 students Ava Williams-Wilcock and Allegra Bardell, also did exceptionally well, placing 3rd in their category. The crew showed incredible teamwork and commitment, especially in reworking their piece in such a short time frame. "I'm so thankful to the parents and caregivers, for their ongoing support and encouragement," says Director of Dance Santana Schmidt, "It continues to amaze me how much dedication and love for dance our students show, even after such a busy and demanding year." Allegra Bardell & Leila Lindqvist

Arlo as 5 year old Peter in "Niu Sila" With a movie-star sounding name and a wealth of acting experience gained at Avondale College, Arlo Lorien-King is taking his next big step into the world of drama. The Year 13 student has just been accepted into the highly competitive Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Acting for Screen and Theatre) at Unitec, widely known as the most industry-connected acting degree in New Zealand. The selection process was no small feat. After submitting a monologue tape and a personal letter, Arlo was chosen as one of 40 applicants to attend an audition weekend—where he performed poems and acted in scenes. From there, only 24 students were selected for the programme. “I’ve always loved performing,” Arlo says. "Even as a kid I was always dressing up and being silly. When I came to Avondale, my mum—who did all the shows when she was here—told me to do all the shows. It’s just so much fun and I'm excited to continue the journey after graduating." He credits the school’s Drama programme and Ms. Stone for providing year-round opportunities and encouraging students to grow. “Ms. Stone went to Unitec and did the same course I’m doing. She really cares and has the passion for extending students. Over the years, you develop your skills and start to feel confident.” Arlo’s performance résumé is packed. He joined Mr Foster's Theatresports group in Year 11, where he discovered the thrill of spontaneous, silly performance. He also travelled to Wellington with the SCGNZ National Shakespeare festival, learning to decode Shakespeare’s language and appreciate its relevance today. “It’s like learning a new language. Once you understand it, it’s amazing how much it still connects.” In addition, he's played a mischievous five-year-old in Niu Sila (with the added bonus of getting to eat biscuits on stage) and the slick TV agent Mr. Bernstein in Little Shop of Horrors, Arlo has embraced every role with enthusiasm. He admits he prefers more playful characters: “Life’s quite serious, so it’s fun to be silly.” Despite the challenges of COVID cancelling his Year 9 show, Arlo has performed in a production every year since. Now, with a three-year degree ahead, he’s excited to enjoy the journey and see where it leads. “Drama can be a very competitive industry, but I’ll definitely do something in the field.” His advice to younger students? “Sign up for 'everything Drama'—you don’t know where it will take you.” As Mr. Bernstein in the Little Shop of Horrors Arlo with his TYP Theatresports finale team

Amadeia with "Ocean Eyes" Three Avondale College students had their work chosen out of 600 entries to be displayed at The Trusts 38th Art Exhibition this month, with Amadeia D'Souza taking out the top honours in her age group for her painting "Ocean Eyes." Amadeia (Year 10) first heard about the competition through the College's Daily News bulletin. She decided to submit a piece she completed for her Year 10 Art assignment, which required students to paint a portrait of someone famous. She chose her favourite artist, Billie Eilish, naming the piece after one of her most iconic songs. She began the work with a rough pencil sketch and then layered acrylic paints until she was satisfied with the result. On awards night, surrounded by incredible entries, she didn’t expect to place—let alone win: “The level of work was out of this world. When they finally called me up as first, I didn’t even realise until my mum shook me and hugged me—I was so shocked but also so happy.” Her win came with a $500 prize, which Amadeia plans to save for her future in arts education. Natalie French (Year 11) and Maisy Wilson (Year 13) were also selected as finalists for their respective works "Misty Ascent" and "Fish Soup". Natalie French's "Misty Ascent" Maisy Wilson's "Fish Soup"

In this Issue From the Associate Principal Upcoming events Exam timetables Individualised Personal Achievement Course (IPAC) Little Shop of Horrors wins big at Showdown Awards Avcol artists impress at Trusts' Exhibition Remember his name: Arlo Lorien-King Festival of Dance success Beyond Drama classes Holiday highlight: Learner license driver course Sports Results Noticeboard

Dear Parent/Caregiver and Students, The PPTA has now confirmed that strike action will  also take place this Friday which will affect Year 13 students. Year levels are scheduled to work from home this week as follows: Date   Year Levels   Tuesday 14 October Year 9  Wednesday 15 October Year 10  Thursday 16 October Year 11 and Year 12  Friday 17 October Year 13    As well as this week's strike action, the PPTA has also signalled that a full-day strike affecting all year levels will take place next week on Thursday 23 October .  We expect to receive confirmation that this will go ahead three days prior. Students working from home should continue with independent learning. Limited supervision will be available at school—please email admin@avcol.school.nz  if this is required. Cambridge exams and most events, activities, and sports will continue as scheduled, especially those before 9am and after 3.15pm.  Yours faithfully,     Dr Terry Brown   ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL T 09 828 7024 DDI: 09 820 1728 W: www.avcol.school.nz Victor Street, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand

Dear Parent/Caregiver and Students, The PPTA has now confirmed that strike action will take place this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. As a result, all Year 9, 10, 11 & 12 students will need to work from home on the following days: Date   Year Levels   Tuesday 14 October  Year 9 - confirmed Wednesday 15 October Year 10 - confirmed Thursday 16 October Year 11 and Year 12 - confirmed Friday 17 October Year 13 - TBC   We await further information regarding strike action relating to Year 13s. Students working from home should continue with independent learning. Limited supervision will be available at school—please email admin@avcol.school.nz  if this is required. Cambridge exams and most events, activities, and sports will continue as scheduled, especially those before 9am and after 3.15pm.  Yours faithfully,     Dr Terry Brown   ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL T 09 828 7024 DDI: 09 820 1728 W: www.avcol.school.nz Victor Street, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand

Phenomenal. Magical. Enthralling. Those are the words Avcol alumna Tessa Smith used to describe her recent experience with the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company (SGCNZ YSC) in London. Alongside fellow alumna Carys Chacko and 22 other young actors selected from across the country, she took part in a programme that included two weeks of mentoring based at the Globe Theatre’s education centre. There, they trained under professionals from the Globe and the wider London theatre scene. “The workshops were phenomenal,” Tessa said. “We learned everything from early modern music and the history of the plays to period costuming and vocal technique. We saw heaps of shows, explored London, and had so much fun with our friends.” The group rehearsed an abridged version of Romeo and Juliet  under the direction of Hal Chambers. The experience culminated in a late-night performance at the Globe. Before stepping onto the stage, they sent a video message to Director of Drama Ms Rita Stone, whose influence had been pivotal ever since they joined Drama Academy in Year 9. Tessa Smith Carys Chacko (right) “Rita taught me to love Shakespeare and gave me the skills to perform at my best. This opportunity was a dream I’ve had since I first heard of SGCNZ YSC, and it was amazing to share it with her.” Tessa also expressed gratitude to Ms Kettley and all the drama teachers who supported them throughout their journey. She says there are no words to describe the feeling of being on Shakespeare’s stage. "The mana of that space brings me to tears just thinking about it.” And the best part of the experience? “Everything. Literally everything.” Tessa is in the front row, 3rd from left; Carys is in the middle row 5th from left

Last week, we held a fantastic fundraising dinner in support of our 2026 Japan trip, and it was a night to remember! Guests enjoyed traditional games, origami demonstrations, Japan-themed quizzes, and the opportunity to be dressed in beautiful kimono. A huge thank you to NZMA's Sylvia Park campus for hosting the event and providing delicious food and outstanding service. To everyone who attended — your generosity and support has helped our students take one step closer to a life-changing journey to Japan.