During the last two weeks our Year 13 Core Geography students have been learning about changes proposed for the Avondale Town Centre and have been carrying out their own research. Students learnt about improved cycle ways to New Lynn and Te Atatu South, changes to the Western Line railway with the CRL, upcoming housing developments, and changes to the Community Centre and Library. In groups, students selected a specific aspect to investigate further. Some groups are looking at improvements for pedestrians and traffic flow, including seating and footpaths. Other groups are focusing on the range of shops and medical services, the location of further high-density housing and the best use of currently vacant land. Alongside this work, the school has been working with Panuku (the planning arm of Auckland Council) to open a dialogue so students can have a say in the future development of their town centre. This week students will meet with Urban Planners from Panuku to discuss their ideas before continuing the write up of their investigations. It is great to see students involved in their local community and taking part in their future. Mr Smith - HOD Geography

Kia orāna! This week is the  annual ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani or Cook Islands Language Week. This year's theme is “Kia pūāvai tō tātou Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani i Aotearoa”, which means “That the Cook Islands Māori language may blossom throughout New Zealand”. Cook Islands Language Week celebrates the identity, languages, and culture of the Cook Islands and supports all New Zealanders in gaining shared cultural understandings. Avondale College students and staff have been celebrating with a number of fun lunchtime activities, organised by Mrs Nesi, Ms Alai and others.

A large number of prospective students and their families experienced Avondale College's Open Evening on Wednesday. As always, there was a lot to see, experience and taste! Enrolment interviews for 2021 (in zone and priority students) are taking place this week.

Two of Avondale's Year 13 Calculus students have gained an insight into an exciting career pathway after attending the Apollo Engineering programme for Māori and Pasifika students at the University of Auckland during the holidays. Sekola Likiliki and Angeline Venasio said the programme allowed them to explore different mathematical skills and apply it to real-life situations. The programme included a visit to the City Rail Link in Mt Eden, where the students were given a behind-the-scenes look at the engineering processes involved. "We were assigned the task of building a tower using just spaghetti sticks and marshmallows and can proudly say that we won for the most innovative tower! We were challenged to think more critically and more in-depth, and to recognise the consequences of our choices. The pair also found the university Calculus sessions challenging - but in a good way. "Our sensei, Jeremy, did not take “I don't know” for an answer, encouraging us to become more confident and eventually we learnt how to trust ourselves more. At first, we were given the impression that it was hardcore work all throughout, but that was not the case. They balanced work and fun activities for us to get to know one another and enhance our thinking skills through physical activities. Overall, we were overjoyed with the many Pacific and Māori students who were up for the University life and the opportunities given to us to grow and flourish." Angeline and Sekola say they would like their experience to encourage the Māori and Pacific Island students of Avondale College to stand up and take control of their future. "Let’s stand side by side with the world rather than behind!"

Four Avondale College Year 13 scholars took the opportunity to sit a Stage One Psychology paper at the University of Auckland during the first half of the year, as part of the university's Young Scholars programme. Isla Jack, April Taylor, Joel Ramsay and Mikaela Millwood, all Year 13 NCEA Psychology students, were invited to take part in the programme, which challenges and extends Year 13 students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, by studying part-time at the University of Auckland. April, who achieved a B+ grade, said she found the Young Scholars programme to be an exciting challenge. "The course material of the Psychology 108 paper was super interesting, and the higher standard placed by the university pushed me to be a better student. One of the most fulfilling aspects of  Young Scholars was meeting like-minded people who were interested in psychology and who were up for the challenge. Together we were able to go into the campus and join the lectures. I enjoyed the university atmosphere and could fit in like all the other first-year students." Of course, the unexpected lockdown meant that the structure of the course changed to online learning, which brought its own challenges. "Finding the balance of school, work and university was tricky," said April, "but with the support of my classmates and teachers at Avondale, it became more manageable. For any student looking for an extra challenge and a great introduction to the discipline and excitement of university life, I recommend this rewarding opportunity." Young Scholars Joel Walsham and April Taylor

Congratulations to all the students who were honoured for their sporting, cultural and academic achievements in Monday's Honours Assembly. Many have achieved national and regional success, others were recognised for their leadership and service to the College. For the full list of awardees, click here.

The Board of Trustees advises that we will have a number of vacancies for out-of-zone students for 2021.  The Board operates an enrolment scheme; therefore it is required to fill any vacant out-of-zone places by ballot. The Board has determined that in 2021, there are likely to be places for out-of-zone students as follows: 300 Year 9 places 5 Year 10 places 5 Year 11 places 10 Year 12 places 5 Year 13 places Applications for places at any year level must be received by 4pm on 26 August to be eligible for the ballots, which will be held, if required, on 2 September. Parents will be notified of the outcome within three days of the ballots.

Our premier netball squad were delighted to welcome former teammate and current Northern Mystics player, Grace Nweke, back to Avcol on Monday! Grace was on site to film an interview with Sky TV, alongside Avcol's netball coach, Rachel Rasmussen, herself a former NZ rep player and alumna of Avondale College! The interview - which features footage of our Premier Girls' training session - will screen onSky TV's Netball Zone programme, on SkySport3 (53) onMonday 27 July from 8:30pm!

It's Science Week at Avondale College and students are making the most of the fun challenges and activities being run by our Science Department. Tuesday lunchtime's activity was making kokedama - Japanese moss balls - with Mr Norton, and on Wednesday students had the opportunity to view a rat dissection with Miss Lane. Coming up on Thursday is fire writing in C19 and on Friday students can make and fly bottle rockets in D3!

On Sunday 28 June the 12OED class went to Shakespear Regional Park to complete a Navigation Trail presented by Lactic Turkey Events. The teams from Avondale College had been busy training and learning new navigation skills to prepare for this event. It was great to see all the training come to fruition on the day. All the teams enjoyed the event and were glad to experience a Navigation trail. Exploring Shakespear Regional Park, and collecting markers was a great way for the teams to enjoy and increase their teamwork and communication skills with one another. - Roshni Oberoi, Year 12

The Performing Arts Academy's Peer Performance in the last week of Term 2 was a celebration of the commitment and dedication the performing arts students have demonstrated over the last two terms. The performances by our Jazz Music, Classical Music, Dance and Drama Academies provided an opportunity for students to share some of the learning that has taken place in an informal and supportive setting. We look forward to sharing more of our students' work with the wider Avondale College community in the months to come!

Avondale College will be holding a report evening for parents and caregivers on Tuesday 30 June in the Atrium. Bookings can be made online via Family Connection until Sunday evening. Parents who wish to make appointments after the online booking system closes should ask their child to collect an appointment form from their home room teacher or the Avondale College reception, and they can visit their teachers to arrange the interview times. Reports can be viewed in Family Connection under the Student Information / Documents tab.