Middle of Term 4 Newsletter - Monday 9 November 2026
Middle of Term 4 Newsletter - Monday 9 November 2026
Tēnā koe
We wish our students in Years 11-13 the very best for their NZQA examinations which begin tomorrow and run through until Friday 4 December. Here is the NCEA Examination Timetable 2026. Please encourage your child to check and re-check their timetable to avoid the upset of missing an exam.
Please take note of the key dates for the rest of the year at the end of this email. There is also a link to the 2027 dates and year planner.
Teacher only day: Friday 13 November
As per the year planner, there is a Ministry of Education Teacher Only Day on Friday. Staff will be involved in curriculum and assessment change planning for 2027. Junior students are encouraged to use this time at home to revise ahead of Junior Assessment Week next week.
Junior Assessment Week Years 9 and 10: 16-20 November
Next week is Junior Assessment Week. A separate email with information and the assessment schedule will be sent to junior students and their whānau. It will also be posted on our school website. Class teachers will communicate what is being assessed and how students can best prepare for success.
Strategic Planning Community Consultation - survey and in-person event
Thank you for taking the time to complete the Strategic Planning Community Consultation survey. You may also have given feedback via the Whānau Māori and Fono Pasifika survey. This helps the Board and the school identify priorities, take action to improve outcomes, and demonstrate the progress we are making for students.
You are also invited to our strategic planning consultation event on 30 November 6-8pm in the school hall. This will be an opportunity for us to present what we have heard from you to date and get further feedback from you on our future planning.
2026 Yearbook
We expect the 2026 yearbook to be back from the printer early in December. It will be given to juniors who have paid for a copy, and senior students will be emailed to collect their copy if they have purchased one. There may be some extra copies available for purchase too.
Kia Manawaroa and Matavai e-newsletters
New issues of Kia Manawaroa and Matavai have been published.
Kia Manawaroa Issue 20: October 2026
Matavai Issue 18: October 2026
Attendance and Punctuality
We acknowledge your support to ensure your child is at school on time and ready for learning. Punctuality to lessons is critical to maximise learning opportunities. Attendance and punctuality are strongly related to success at school and beyond. Please continue to support and encourage regular attendance and being on time to school and classes. If you are logging an absence, the preferred way is through Parent Portal.
Reunion 2-4 April 2027
We are looking forward to celebrating Northcote College’s 150th anniversary next year. Current and former students, staff, whānau and friends of the school and community are warmly invited to come along to this sesquicentennial event being held from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 April 2027. It will be a great chance to catch up with friends and former teachers, to explore the campus, and to enjoy memories of familiar spaces and check out new ones. Please register your interest here, and we will keep you up to date with reunion news and information.
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 Term 4
Week 5
Tuesday 10 November - Friday 4 December: NZQA Examinations
Friday 13 November: Ministry of Education Teacher only Day - no junior students at school
Week 6
Monday 16 - Friday 20 November: Junior Assessment Week
Week 7
23 - 27 November: Year 9 camp (group 2) to Motutapu Island
Week 8
Monday 30 November 6pm: strategic consultation event
Friday 4 December 6pm: Leavers’ Event
Week 9
Wednesday 9 December 6pm: Junior Sports Prizegiving
Week 10
Tuesday 15 December 10am: Year 10 Prizegiving and last day (12.45pm finish for students in Year 9)
Wednesday 16 December 10am: Year 9 Prizegiving and last day