Start of Term 3 update
Start of Term 3 update
Tēnā koe
Charity fundraising this term
The Student Council decided that we would support two charities this term: De Paul House and The Cancer Society. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
De Paul House on Onewa Road provides housing and support services for those most underserved in our community, focusing on families with dependent children and adults over 65 years. Their trained social work support team work closely with the family to move from transitional housing to a stable home. You can learn more about De Paul House here: https://www.depaulhouse.org.
We are collecting new and second-hand donations of practical items you would offer your own friends and family, useful for setting up a new home. New or nearly new pillows and single duvets are desperately needed, as are good-quality and clean clothing and shoes for teenagers. Here is their Food Bank Wish List: https://drive.google.com/file/
Students are asked to bring donations to Harakeke | Student Reception before the end of Week 5 (Friday 15 August).
Daffodil Day is 29 August nationally, which falls during our Senior Derived Grade Exams. We will have a non-uniform day on Friday 22 August, and we ask for donations of money (either cash on the day or online at Kindo) for The Cancer Society. Alternatively, you may wish to donate directly on our Cancer Society Daffodil Day Northcote College Dashboard: https://fundraise.daffodilday.
Attendance
The Ministry of Education’s Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) system is to encourage regular student attendance. Part of this response includes the ministry uplifting our attendance data daily. We continue to monitor attendance as a priority. It is essential that your child is at school on time and that if your child is absent, the Attendance Officer is notified with an explanation either by emailing attendance@northcote.school.nz
Further information about the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) system is available on the ministry website here: https://www.education.govt.nz/
Traffic and parking
We acknowledge that traffic and parking around Northcote College can be challenging, particularly with our ongoing building project. Onewa Road, Kauri Glen Road, and all of the surrounding streets become very congested before and after school, and this is not only an issue for residents, it can become dangerous for our students crossing roads. Our patient and understanding neighbours have reported concerns about illegal parking over yellow lines and their driveways. Please be considerate, and whenever possible drop off or collect your child from Gladstone Road.
Careers Expo: 31 July
On Thursday 31 July, 65 presenters from different industries will host workshops for our senior students here at school. Students will have the opportunity to hear about the presenters’ pathway journeys, what their career involves, and what was required to get them where they are today. These real life examples of people in the workforce provide valuable insight for our young people as they begin planning their pathways beyond school. If you would like to learn more about careers, gateway and pathways at Northcote College, please contact Fiona Mackenzie at mck@northcote.school.nz
Parent-Teacher-Student Meetings: 7 and 12 August
Progress reports were sent home at the end of last term, and the Parent Portal always has up-to-date results and attendance data. We encourage you to come to the Parent-Teacher-Student Meetings on Thursday 7th and Tuesday 12th August 4-7pm. This is an opportunity to speak with subject teachers about your child's progress and ways we can support them to achieve their academic goals. Bookings will be on the School Interviews website, and the code will be sent to you when the site goes live.
Northcote College Board elections
A reminder that 2025 is a triennial election year for school boards. You will have received an email from our Returning Officer asking you to check your details as the election is online and inviting you to nominate someone else or yourself at www.myschoolelection.nz/
Nominations close at noon on Wednesday 6 August.
School donations
We rely on and are grateful for all donations which ensure that our students have the resources and support they need to achieve academically and also have opportunities to participate and thrive in sport, cultural groups, performing arts, leadership and service. Any payment or contribution through myKindo, in full or in an adjusted amount per term to suit your budget, helps us to continue to offer current opportunities and resources for your children. Please pay your donation if you are able.
Year 9 Hearing test: 20-22 August
Northcote College will be participating in the Hearing Screening Programme for Year 9 students on Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd August. This is part of the National Foundation for Deaf & Hard of Hearing (NFDHH) Listen Up Programme. Parents of Year 9 students will have received information about this from our nurses. If you have any questions, you can contact them at nurse@northcote.school.nz
E-newsletters for whānau Māori and Pacific families
Below are links to the latest e-newsletters with news and information for Pacific and Māori families and caregivers with children in education. These are also linked on our school website.
Kia Manawaroa: https://mailchi.mp/education/
Matavai: https://mailchi.mp/education/
Term 3 and 4 planning
To help you with forward planning, we want to highlight important events and key dates in Terms 3 and 4, as below.
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.
Noho ora mai
Vicki Barrie
Tumuaki | Principal
Key Dates for Term 3
Week 3
- Thursday 31 July: Careers Expo for students in Years 11-13
Week 4
- Cook Islands Māori Language Week
- Thursday 7 August: Parent-Teacher-Student Meetings 4-7pm
Week 5
- Tuesday 12 August: Parent-Teacher-Student Meetings 4-7pm
- Saturday 16 August: School Ball
Week 6
- Tongan Language Week
- Wednesday 10 - Friday 22 August: Year 9 Hearing Screening
- Thursday 21 August: Performing Arts Showcase
- Friday 22 August: Non-uniform Day for Northcote College Daffodil Day (as senior exams on 29 August)
- 2026 online subject selection opens (further information to be shared closer to the time)
Week 7
- Winter Sports Tournament Week
- Thursday 28 August: Flexible Learning Day
- Friday 29 August: Mid-term Break - school closed
Week 8
- Monday 1 - Wednesday 3 September: No timetabled lessons for Year 10 because of NCEA Common Assessment Activities (CAAs)
- Monday 1 September: Literacy, Reading CAA (morning: senior students yet to achieve, afternoon: Year 10 students yet to achieve)
- Tuesday 2 September: Literacy, Writing CAA (all Year 10 students)
- Wednesday 3 September: Numeracy CAA (all Year 10 students)
- Thursday 4 September: Literacy, Writing CAA (senior students yet to achieve)
- Friday 5 September: Numeracy CAA (seniors students yet to achieve)
Week 9
- Monday 8 - Friday 12 September: Senior Derived Grade Exams (no timetabled lessons for seniors)
Week 10
- Te Wiki o te reo Māori
- Monday 15 - Tuesday 16 September: Senior Derived Grade Exams continue
- Wednesday 17 September: Deadline for online 2026 option selection
- Friday 19 September: Last day of Term 3
Key Dates for Term 4
- 6 October: First day of Term 4, Timetable Day 5
- 13 - 17 October: Year 9 camp ( group 1) to Motutapu Island
- 14 October: 2026 Welcome to Northcote College Evening
- 21 October: Whānau Prizegiving
- 23 October: Sports Prizegiving
- 27 October: Labour Day - school closed
- 29 October: last day of timetabled lessons for seniors
- 30 October: Senior Prizegiving
- 4 - 28 November: NZQA Examinations
- 25 - 29 November: Year 9 camp (group 2) to Motutapu Island
- 11 December: Year 10 Prizegiving and last day
- 12 December: Year 9 Prizegiving and last day