Start of Term 2 Newsletter
Start of Term 2 Newsletter
Tēnā koe
At the end of last term, we farewelled Deputy Principal, Scott Reed, who has been on the staff for 22 years and is a former student of the school. Scott will be missed; he leaves a legacy of positive relationships with students, staff, and the community. We are delighted to welcome Alex Plummer to the Senior Leadership Team. Alex has taught Science and Physics at Northcote College for 13 years; he is also a former student of the school.
We are also farewelling our Board Chair, Andrew Fox. Andrew has been on the Northcote College Board since 2016 and the Chair since September 2019. Congratulations to Andrew on his new job in Sydney; we thank him for his enduring support of our school, and we wish him well.
Term 1 fundraising
Thank you for your generous donations at the end of Term 1. There was a lovely box of Easter treats taken to Ronald McDonald House. On our non-uniform day, we raised nearly $1700 for Youthline, and because ASB is currently donation matching, we doubled our support of this important service.
School donations and Kindo payments
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.
There is a link to Kindo on the top bar of our school website: https://www.northcote.school.
Should you wish to contact the Kindo Helpdesk, their contact details are: freephone 0508 454 636 or email hello@mykindo.co.nz
Homestay families needed
We are looking for caring homestay families to accommodate our wonderful international students. We have options available for one term, two terms or long term students. Northcote College hosts international students from Asia, South America and Europe. This is a great opportunity to experience another culture. We offer a homestay fee of $400 per week.
For further information please contact our Homestay Coordinator Manny Mauricio at homestay@northcote.school.nz
SchoolTV
The SchoolTV platform provides schools with an extensive range of wellbeing resources for parents, so we can work together in partnership to ensure better wellbeing for all students. Topics feature interviews with leading youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world offering hours of relevant and practical information. Additionally, each topic includes a compilation of related resources from key organisations providing a comprehensive stream of content. There is a link to SchoolTV on our school website: https://northcote.nz.schooltv.
A new and updated topic on vaping and e-cigarettes is now available. This special report helps unpack the facts, highlights the latest research, and empowers parents and whānau to support their tamariki in making healthy, informed choices. The link to this special report is: https://northcote.nz.schooltv.
Teacher training
Are you considering a career change? Are you a recent graduate or returning to work after a break? Are you ready to make a difference? Train to be a teacher with us in 2026 through a school-based initial teacher education programme. Northcote College will offer a choice of two (in school) secondary teacher training options in 2026. You can gain teacher registration in one year, while learning hands-on at our school every day. Trainees receive a stipend and pay no tuition fees for the year.
1. The Teachers’ Institute’s Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching
Applications for the 2026 cohort open on 1 April 2025. For more information, visit teachersinstitute.org.nz
2. Auckland Schools’ Teacher Training Programme where you’ll spend the year completing coursework remotely through the University of Waikato while you work in our school
https://www.
Road safety
The safety of our students is always a priority. 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. If you are dropping off or collecting your child from school, we strongly encourage you to use Gladstone Road.
There are an increasing number of students coming to school on electric scooters. Please urge your child to always wear a helmet and to be careful and safe on roads and footpaths. Students must use the bike racks provided and not ride on footpaths or walkways around the school.
Pathway Meetings for students in Years 12 and 13 and their whānau - 12 and 13 May
If you have a child in Year 12 or 13, you will have received an email from Deputy Principal, Charles Wallace inviting you to a Pathway Meeting with your child’s form teacher to review progress towards academic and pathway goals and to discuss any further support required to ensure successful transitions from school.
Pink Shirt Day - Friday 16 May
Pink Shirt Day has been an important date in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2009 and is about reducing bullying by celebrating diversity in all its forms. It supports schools, workplaces and communities to be safe, supportive, welcoming, and inclusive of all. It is not a non-uniform day, but students are encouraged to wear pink clothes and accessories to show their support for Pink Shirt Day.
Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora - Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!
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
Key Dates for the first half of Term 2
Week 3
Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 May: Year 12 & 13 Pathway meetings
Friday 16 May: Pink Shirt Day (Mental Health Foundation)
Week 4
Thursday 22 May: Year 10 NCEA Literacy (Reading) Common Assessment Activity (CAA)
Week 5
Tuesday 27 May: Years 11-13 NCEA Numeracy Common Assessment Activity (CAA)
Wednesday 28 May: Years 11-13 NCEA Literacy (Reading) Common Assessment Activity (CAA)
Thursday 29 May: Years 11-13 NCEA Literacy (Writing) Common Assessment Activity (CAA)
Friday 30 May: Kāhui Ako Teacher only Day - no students at school
Week 6
Monday 2 June: King’s Birthday - school closed