End of Term 2 Newsletter

Tēnā koe

We have been celebrating the many and varied successes of our students in assemblies and on our social media, Onewa Road e-sign, and school website. Here is a snapshot:

Waihuia Thein placed fourth in the Manu Kōrero speech competition
Two bands were in the regional finals of Rockquest: Vandal and Estatica who came third
Our Year 9 Japanese team came second in the Trivia Competition
Our Spanish Debate team came third in the national competition
Onewa Voices choir performed at Big Sing
Four troupes danced at the National Dance Challenge

Education Review Office (ERO)
Earlier in the term, we hosted a team of Education Review Office evaluators. We are very pleased with the positive feedback we received about our kura and the wonderful people in it. We were congratulated on our school being a place where all students are cared for and supported to be successful. The ERO report will be finalised in 4-6 weeks.

Group photos: Tuesday 23 June and Sports photos: Thursday 25 June
The schedule has been emailed to students. Students must be on time for their photo. If they need to get changed into their sports uniform, they should do so just before their photo. School uniforms and sports uniforms must be worn correctly for students to be included in the photos.

Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Activity (CAA) results
We have been notified by NZQA that the CAA Reading results will be released on 23 June and the Writing and Numeracy results will be released on 23 July. Students who sat these assessments and their whānau will receive emails in early August from our Literacy and Numeracy Coordinators with next steps.

Hautapu Ceremony for Matariki: Wednesday 1 July 5.30am
We will celebrate the rising of Matariki, the Māori New Year with a traditional Hautapu ceremony on Wednesday 1 July. Traditionally, the Hautapu ceremony instils hope for a fruitful season ahead, followed by gathering, feasting, and celebration. Food from the sky, sea, forest, and gardens is cooked in an umu | earth oven. Before sunrise, the oven is uncovered, and the kohukohu | rising steam carries the essence of the food to the Matariki star cluster. Specific foods relate to the nine stars, such as Tupuānuku | food from the ground and Waitī | fresh water.
We warmly invite whānau and guests to join us at the front of K Block, near the library, for a 5.30am karakia. Following this, we will move to Level 3, the Rangitoto Room, for kai.
To help us plan for catering, please RSVP by Monday 29 June by emailing office@northcote.school.nz You are also invited to bring a plate of kai to share. We look forward to sharing this special morning with you.

International Languages Week: Monday 29 June - Friday 3 July
Next week we will celebrate the diversity of our school community. There will be activities each lunchtime, and on Thursday 2 July there will be a Market Day in the Hall with food stalls, games and songs to celebrate the many languages spoken by students and staff at our school.

Non-uniform Day: Friday 3 July
We will end our International Languages Week and Term 2 with a non-uniform day. Students are encouraged to wear clothing that celebrates their cultural identity.
Families and students are also encouraged to donate generously, online via Kindo or with cash on the day, to our charity cause - Doctors without Borders | Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) https://msf.org.nz/.

Doctors Without Borders is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas, joining more than 67,000 MSF colleagues supporting people caught in crises around the world.

New Zealand Blood Service onsite: Friday 3 July
The New Zealand Blood Service will be onsite on Friday 3 July for students and staff to donate blood. People who donate blood make a lifesaving difference; one donation can help save up to three lives.
NZBS recommends students discuss becoming a blood donor with their family. If families have a particular objection to the student choosing to donate blood, please make this known to the student and to the school before the blood drive date stated above. If students wish to donate, they should check their eligibility on the website.
https://www.nzblood.co.nz/become-a-donor/am-i-eligible
If you require any further information please call 0800 GIVEBLOOD or visit www.nzblood.co.nz or contact the nurses at nurse@northcote.school.nz

Open Day: Saturday 25 July noon-3pm
We are looking forward to showing prospective students and their whānau around school at our annual Open Day. We always have wonderful feedback about our student guides and helpers; they are our best ambassadors. Please pass on the date to your contacts who may be interested, and our gratitude in advance to all who will make the day a success.

Pathway Meetings for students in Year 12 and their whānau: 28 and 29 July
Students in Year 12 and their whānau will be invited to a Pathway Meeting with the student’s form teacher to review progress towards academic and pathway goals and to discuss any further support required. Charles Wallace, Deputy Principal, will send an email with further information and booking details.

Attendance is important
Congratulations to the students and whānau who recently received recognition for their 100% attendance.
One of the things ERO was very keen to share with us was their data and research on the link between regular attendance at school and academic success, strong connections, and wellbeing for young people. ERO also highlighted the important role families have in ensuring their young people value education and attend regularly. We were pleased to be able to share with them some positive data and actions.
It is essential that your child is at school on time and in every lesson ready to learn. If your child is absent, please notify the Attendance Officer with an explanation either by emailing attendance@northcote.school.nz, calling 09 481 0141 ext.750, or via Parent Portal.

Kia Manawaroa and Matavai e-newsletters
Please see the links below for the June e-newsletters which are also linked on our school website under ‘Resources’. The monthly pānui have a range of interesting articles and useful information and resources.
Kia Manawaroa: Education pānui for whānau Māori
Matavai: News and information for Pacific families and caregivers

Road safety
This is another reminder to please urge your child to cross Onewa Road responsibly at the lights, to always triple check for cars before stepping out to cross Kauri Glen Road, and to never jaywalk. Kauri Glen Road becomes very congested before and after school particularly on rainy days. If you are dropping off or collecting your child from school, we strongly encourage you to use Gladstone Road. Please do not park on yellow lines or across our neighbours’ driveways.

2026 yearbook
The creation of the 2026 yearbook has already begun. This magazine is a colourful celebration of all the rich learning opportunities our tauira enjoy, in and out of the classroom, in a year at our kura. The yearbooks are $25, and you are encouraged to purchase a copy through the Kindo Shop before August so we can estimate the printing order number. The yearbooks will be ready for issue at the start of December.

School uniform
The new navy rain jacket is $55 and is available at Yarnton’s in Birkenhead.
Please support your child to wear the correct uniform which should all be named. In this colder weather, black shoes with black socks or tights are encouraged. White socks are not part of our uniform and should not be worn.

School donations
We are grateful to families who pay the school donation; without these payments we would not be able to offer the variety of learning opportunities our students currently enjoy. All payments to Northcote College can be made in one place with your myKindo account. Kindo allows partial payment so families can make the donation with the amount they are comfortable with at any time suitable for their situation. 33% of the value of the donations made to schools through Kindo can be claimed back from IRD. Kindo automatically generates IRD-approved donation receipts to make the process simple and efficient.
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Thank you for your ongoing support of our school. We encourage you to stay in contact; if you have any queries, please contact your child’s Dean in the first instance.

Ngā manaakitanga

Vicki Barrie
Tumuaki | Principal

Key dates for the remainder of Term 2 and the start of Term 3

Week 10
Tuesday 23 June: Group photos
Thursday 25 June: Sports photos

Week 11
International Languages Week
Wednesday 1 July: Matariki Hautapu
Friday 3 July: Non-uniform Day, Bloodbank, mid-year reports issued, last day of Term 2.

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Term 3

Week 1
Monday 20 July: First day of Term 3, Timetable Day 5
Saturday 25 July: Open Day

Week 2
Tuesday 28 - Wednesday 29 July: Year 12 Pathway meetings

Week 3
Thursday 6 August: Performing Arts Showcase

Week 4
Thursday 13 August 4-7pm: Parent Teacher Student meetings

Week 5
Tuesday 18 August 4-7pm: Parent Teacher Student meetings
Saturday 22 August: School Ball