HVHS Newsletter

Kia ora koutou, talofa lava,

As a symbolic gesture, Simon Kydd, our Property Manager, buried fragments of the old C-Block into the foundations of the new one - a quiet but meaningful act that links the past to the future. Though the structure is changing, the name remains, preserving a sense of continuity and honouring the generations of students and staff who passed through its halls.

Construction of the new C-Block is on track for completion around June next year, alongside the final stages of our long-awaited weathertightness project. Together, these projects mark a major transformation of our campus. By Term 3 of 2026, Hutt Valley High School will look and feel quite different - a refreshed and future-focused environment, built on the strong foundations of our history.

Calling All HVHS Alumni - Share Your Journey

At assembly last week, I shared the after-school journeys of some of our former students - those who followed traditional academic or career pathways, like our Nobel Prize winner, and those whose paths were more winding or unexpected, like some of our actors and performers. My aim was to show current students that success doesn't look the same for everyone, and that the road ahead can take many different shapes.

One key message I wanted to leave them with is this: while qualifications and subject choices lay a strong foundation, it’s the development of soft skills - communication, empathy, teamwork, adaptability, and inclusive, relational practice - that truly shapes a person's future. These skills are often honed not only in the classroom but also through involvement in music, sports, coaching, service, clubs, and life experiences.

I would love to hear from more of our alumni. What path did you take after HVHS? What surprised you? What did you learn along the way? Your story could help inspire and guide the next generation of students. If you're willing to share, please get in touch - I'd be grateful to pass your story on to our students. (denise.johnson@hvhs.school.nz).

Thank you for your support of our annual Teacher-Only Day. Last week, our entire staff joined colleagues from Onslow College, Newlands College, Wellington College, Wellington High School, Te Kura, Wellington Girls’ College, Tawa College, St Mary’s College, and Wellington East Girls’ College for a powerful day of professional learning at Loop Ed.

Nearly 1,000 teachers came together to learn from and with one another. We’re especially proud that fifteen HVHS teachers led workshops, generously sharing their expertise and experience with educators across the region. This day was part of the Wellington Loop - a network committed to collaboration over competition. By working together across schools, we strengthen public education for everyone and help create better outcomes for all our students.

Ngā mihi nui,

Denise Johnson, Principal | Tumuaki

For your calendars, please note these Term 2 dates:

• Wednesday 11 June & Thursday 19 June | Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 11–13. On both days, all students are learning from home.
• Friday 20 June | Matariki (public holiday, school closed)

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding speakers who represented Hutt Valley High School at Ngā Manu Kōrero o Wairarapa ki Te Awakairangi. This prestigious event brought together passionate rangatahi from across the region, and our competitors stood tall, spoke with conviction, and made our kura proud.

Our speakers were:

• Aramahea Walker Ngāti Porou - competing in the Rāwhiti Ihaka (Junior Māori) section, delivering a powerful kōrero on "E whai hua ai au me takahi tikanga".

• Māui Holland-Waterson Ngāti Ruanui, Muaūpoko - speaking in the Sir Turi Carroll (Junior English) section, with the thought-provoking topic "Will AI affect our future?"

• Kaitoro Walker Ngāti Porou - representing in the prepared Korimako (Senior English) section, boldly tackling the question "What is a man?", followed by an impromptu topic "We rise up by lifting others".

All three delivered their speeches with mana, clarity, and courage. Kaitoro placed first in the Korimako Senior English section and will now represent our region at the National Competition in Term 3. Māui finished second in the Sir Turi Carroll Junior English category, and Aramahea finished in the top 5 for Junior Māori. Their performances were a testament to months of hard work, reflection, and preparation.

Our kaikōrero were proudly supported by the passionate voices of Te Ao Haka and the Hutt Valley High School Kapa Haka, who provided haka and waiata tautoko that lifted the wairua of the event and grounded our speakers in the strength of their culture.

A special thank you goes to Derek Wood, who worked tirelessly with our competitors to refine their speeches, sharing tips, tricks, and his own experience to help them shine on the day.

We also acknowledge Whaea Krystal, who reintroduced Ngā Manu Kōrero to our kura this year. Her vision and planning gave students the space and support to consider the kaupapa, prepare their messages, and deliver them with pride.

To our speakers: your voices were strong, your presence undeniable, and your commitment inspiring. Ka mau te wehi - we are so proud of you all!

Pictured (L-R): Māui Holland-Waterson (10GSSP), Kaitoro Walker (12MO) and Aramahea Walker (10CNPA).

This week we celebrated HVHS Pride Week as part of Schools' Pride Week Aotearoa organised by rainbow charity InsideOUT. The purpose of this event is to celebrate the diversity of students at our kura (school) and throughout the country. As part of the school value of 'We are Welcoming', we aim to ensure queer students feel a sense of includion and belonging at HVHS.

Events for the week were organised by students from the school Queer Straight Alliance, supported by the Year 13 student leaders and staff member Jill Skinner. We started the week with a flag raising ceremony, and many students entered spaces throughout the school which were decorated in pride colours as part of a staff competition.

Each lunchtime, there were free events in the Pavilion, including pride chalk messages, rainbow bridge building, nail polish, face painting, a rainbow wall of kindness, Kahoots and a pride scavenger hunt. We are ending the week with a non-uniform day with a theme of Wear Your Pride - encouraging students to dress in rainbow or other pride flag colours.

All money raised from the non-uniform day and a pride-themed bake sale on Wednesday will be donated to Te Whare Kahukura o Te Awa Kairangi (Hutt Valley Rainbow Hub).

Photo credit: Leon Page (12AL) and Karol Bastidas Ortega (9FTWS)

Now is the time when our Year 13 students begin applying for university scholarships. For parents and caregivers new to the scholarship application process, HVHS has a step-by-step system that students follow. As always, the place to find all information is the Year 13 Google Classroom.

Rebecca Feerick (Gifted & Talented Coordinator/English Teacher) is also available to support students. Her office is in the Deans' Area, and students are welcome to drop in. Rebecca can also be contacted by email at rebecca.feerick@hvhs.school.nz

Link - HVHS Scholarship - Step by Step Process 2025

This Tuesday (10 June) from 6:00pm to 8:15pm, the University of Canterbury is having an information evening at the Lower Hutt Event Centre for prospective students and their families.

Info Evenings are great in-person events to gain valuable information about the University of Canterbury qualifications and its application process. You and your whānau can learn about halls and student support, hear about degree options from the lecturers, and ask any questions you may have.

Registrations are essential, click the link to register - Lower Hutt Event Registration

Alternatively, there is a second event on Wednesday, 11 June at the Michael Fowler Centre if this date works better for your family's schedule. To register, click the link - Wellington Event Registration

We’re excited to welcome students and staff from Whanganui High School to HVHS on Tuesday 10 June. This is a great opportunity to showcase our school values and manaakitanga as we host their teams. Families and supporters are warmly invited to come along and watch the action throughout the day. It’s always great to see whānau on the sidelines cheering on our students! See the timetable of events below this article.

Key details for the day:

• Date: Tuesday 10 June.

• Event time: 9.30am – 2.15pm.

• HVHS students involved in the exchange will attend Spell 1 as usual and will be excused at 9.20am. These students are then excused for the remainder of the day to support and participate in the exchange.

• Cancellation - a decision will be made by Monday evening or by 6.30am on Tuesday morning at the latest. Notifications will be sent via the HVHS app.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Sarah Coales at sarah.coales@hvhs.school.nz. We look forward to hosting Whanganui High and wish all teams the very best for the day!

Congratulations to the members of Panda Perfect - Charmie Calasara (13RO), Jesusa Calasara (11TI), Violet Edwards (13RB) and Giselle Charleson (12MO), HVHS’s barbershop group, who competed at the Wellington-Te Whanganui-a-Tara Regional Contest last week. The group has qualified for a place at the National Young Singers in Harmony Competition, which will be held on 17–18 September at the Lower Hutt Town Hall.

The HVHS Chorus Group of Charmie Calasara (13RO), Jesusa Calasara (11TI), Violet Edwards (13RB), Giselle Charleson (12MO), Areli Garcia Vargas (13RO), Daniel Khojasteh (10OADS), Alice Payne (11DA), Isabella Philip (10SATO), Rajan Subramaniam (10SRPD), Tamina Tapara-Robin (10PUPF), Angelica Tschurtschenthaler (13LR), Ngakaara Wong (10TUTS), Ataahua Falemaka-Reriti (13AN), and Olivia Stowers (12IN), also competed at the Regional Contest, just missing out on a place in the Nationals.

- by Aurel Gautam (11NI)

Last term, ten art students participated in a workshop to paint picnic tables alongside a local artist, Tina Rae Carter (her work can be viewed here: https://www.tinaraecarter.com/). The goal was to create designs and paint three picnic tables for the Daly Street Pop-Up Space, a new community area in the centre of the street.

The final designs included a duck-themed table, a flower-themed table, and a table featuring a flax pattern. This workshop took place over the course of five weeks and was completed during the school holidays. The final products were amazing and complemented the new space. To learn more about the project, please click here

Special thanks to Adrian Cartwright (Co-Head of the Arts Learning Area) and Olivia McVey (Art Teacher).

A friendly reminder to our Year 8 families - enrolments for 2026 are now open for both in-zone and out-of-zone students. We encourage families to enrol early, as this helps us plan for your student’s learning needs and ensures your Year 8 student will be in the first group to receive subject selection information (many subjects have limited spaces).

To complete the online enrolment form and to learn more about the key enrolment deadlines, please click this link - https://hvhs.school.nz/how-to-enrol/

Our parent/teacher interviews for students in Years 11-13 are on Wednesday, 11 June, and Thursday, 19 June, between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Families can meet with their student’s subject teachers at school for a 10-minute in-person or online interview to discuss their child's academic progress and to plan for future success.

How to Book:
1. Please go to https://huttvalley.schoolpoint.co.nz/ and select ‘Login’.
2. Click on ‘Bookings’.
3. On the ‘My Bookings’ page, select ‘Book Time’.
4. Your student’s subject teachers are listed for Wednesday, June 11 (scroll down for Thursday, June 19). Choose an available time slot for each teacher.
5. After clicking on your preferred time, you will be asked to confirm your booking type for an ‘Online’ or ‘In-person meeting.’
6. Review the information to ensure it is correct and click ‘Confirm Time’. A prompt will then confirm ‘Time Booked’. Next, select ‘Close’ and continue booking parent/teacher interviews.

Go to the ‘Summary’ page to see or update your bookings. Online interview links will be listed there. Please ignore the ‘Join Online’ links if you have chosen in-person meetings. Please note that no Mentor Teacher Bookings are available for senior students; this is for subject teachers only.

If you have any questions, please email Nick Larkin (Deputy Principal) at nick.larkin@hvhs.school.nz

Our next Learning Community Hub (LCH) parent seminar will be held on Tuesday, 17 June at 6.30pm in the Staffroom. This session will focus on subject selection and include a presentation from the Ministry of Education on school engagement and parent involvement. These events are open to all migrant parents in our school community, especially those with children learning English.

Thank you to the families who joined us for our first Learning Community Hub seminar earlier this term. Around 40 people attended (pictured), representing 17 families from countries including China, Vietnam, India, South Africa, Syria, the Philippines, Russia, Germany and Sri Lanka. Sarah Roper, our Teacher in Charge of English Language, gave a helpful overview of the high school system, English language support, and the basics of NCEA.

We're excited to share our Draft Strategic Plan for 2026-2028. The plan is built on the belief that we succeed together, and centres Māori knowledge systems, student agency, collective achievement and well-being, and strong community partnerships.

We're inviting feedback from staff, students, families and whānau. Your feedback will help us refine the strategic objectives and the outcomes we aim to achieve.

Read the Draft Strategic Plan 2026-2028:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xISGOdsjO4gd3rx9dZW7GjP4c2xD0yDk/view?usp=sharing

Complete the Survey:
https://forms.gle/RAs6UwBfSQCW8YW96

You're welcome to provide feedback on individual objectives or the overall plan. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our school. The survey closes on Sunday, 15 June. Your support of this consultation is greatly valued.

Stuck on an essay? Not sure how to start a paragraph? Feeling a bit unsure about the literacy test?

Come to the English Junior Helproom every Thursday lunchtime in V13. It's open to Year 9 and 10 students.

It’s a low-pressure space where you can get help from Izzy Fogarty (12KG), a group of supportive senior students, and English teachers. Whether you need help planning or just want to talk through an idea, we’re here to help.

Bring your lunch, your Chromebook and whatever you’re working on. Stay for 20 minutes or the whole break. No sign-ups. No stress.

As Hutt Valley High School approaches its centenary in 2026, former journalist and author Peter Bidwell is writing a history of the school—and he’s seeking your help.

Peter is especially interested in hearing from current and former students, teachers, and support staff, particularly from the last 50 years. He’s also eager to include stories and perspectives from the school’s diverse ethnic communities.

Any photos, memories, and other materials shared all help to preserve the rich history of our school. If you can contribute, please contact Peter at pete73bidwell@gmail.com (and include your phone number). Many thanks to those who’ve already been in touch - your support is deeply appreciated!

We're looking for reader/writers to assist students with learning differences and disabilities during their exams and assessments. As a reader/writer you’ll get the satisfaction of helping support students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, physical disability or a sports injury to their writing hand!

What’s involved? Volunteers are needed at HVHS during school hours, especially in September for year 10 & 11 literacy and numeracy assessments and from October to December for end-of-year assessments. A reader/writer might help for 2-3 hours each term or up to 10 exams a year. We’ll match your availability and willingness to our student’s schedules. You can also say no if a day/date doesn’t suit you.

We’re looking for volunteers with clear spoken English, good reading skills, and either good handwriting or the computer skills to quickly type answers and navigate around an online exam. Training will be provided, and acceptance is subject to a satisfactory Police check. Contact Raewyn at (04) 566 4584 or raewyn.kerr@hvhs.school.nz to learn more.

Please note - this volunteering opportunity isn't available to our current students.

Congratulations to Emma Larkin (12MO) and Mia Walker (13JM) , who have earned their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award - a culmination of community service, learning a new skill, participating in regular physical activity, and challenging themselves in the outdoors. Well done!

Participant Assistance Fund

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is open to all students who wish to participate. For students and families who may find the costs associated with the programme challenging, there is a Participant Assistance Fund set up to:

• Provide support for participants whose enrolment fee may be a barrier.

• Offer limited support, on a case-by-case basis, for the Adventurous Journey.

• In some cases, assist with other costs to help participants complete their Award.
  
  

All applications for financial assistance must be made by the student’s Award Unit Leader (Sarah Coales - Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator at HVHS). Please contact Sarah for help at sarah.coales@hvhs.school.nz

Wellington Cross Country Championships

A strong team from HVHS enjoyed a beautiful sunny day at Harcourt Park last Tuesday, competing at the College Sport Wellington Cross Country Championships with 380 students representing their schools from around the region.

Well done to our runners on a day of excellent results, including:

• Junior Girls 3km: Congratulations Hatty Young (9SHMI) - 3rd, Anna Green (9FTWS) - 9th, Phoebe Willis (9PTNC) - 12th, Olive Hall (9PTNC) - 24th, Evie Watts (9WHAR) - 33rd, and Hana Roberts (9WBDG) - 37th, with the HVHS 3 Person Team 1st Equal Champions and the 6 Person team Overall Champions!
• Intermediate Boys 4km: Jacob Williams (10GSSP) placed 1st/ Individual Champion, followed closely by Leo Hyink (10GSSP) - 2nd, and Finnigan Strickland (10GSSP) - 6th. The trio also won the 3 Person Team Champion title.
• Intermediate Girls 4km: Well done to Olivia Anderson (10CNPA), who placed 30th in a competitive field.
• Senior Girls 5km: Congratulations to Jessie McKenzie (13ST), who placed 1st and was named Individual Champion, with a strong run also from Eva Green (13LR) - 17th.
• Senior Boys 5km: Great effort from Ben Kimber (11TT) - 6th, Noah McNeill (13CS) - 40th, and William Todd (12TW) - 52nd, with the 3 Person Team placing 6th overall.

Missing Sports Uniforms

The Sports Office has been through all our sports uniforms, and we are missing a lot of sporting kits. For a number of sports teams, we haven’t got a full kit to issue to players, which makes it difficult to kit our school's teams out.

Can you please look at home? If you have any, please return them urgently to the Sports Office. If the Sports Office is closed please drop them at the School Office (open 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday during term time).

Sports Fees Statements

The Resource Centre has loaded sports fees ready for payment. Thank you to our families who have already paid their sports fees! If you haven’t yet made your payment, we kindly ask you to do so as soon as possible to support our sports programmes. If you need to set up an automatic payment (AP), please contact the Resource Centre for assistance.

Has your child achieved something amazing? We’d love to hear about and celebrate our students’ successes outside the classroom — whether in sport, music, speech, dance, or other activities.

If your child has a sporting achievement, please email the details to Kristi Tia (Sports Director) at sport@hvhs.school.nz. For all other achievements, contact Lana Goddard (Principal’s PA) at office@hvhs.school.nz.

We currently have a shortage of school skirts and black school shoes to support students whose families are experiencing financial hardship. These items are also loaned to students who need a uniform for the day due to unexpected issues like mud, paint, or other mishaps.

If your student has grown out of their uniform or no longer needs it, please consider donating it back to HVHS. Donations can be dropped off at the School Office, Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm during term time.

Another way to help: donating vouchers to Number One Shoes/Hannahs is a fantastic way to contribute, allowing us to buy shoes for students when needed. If you can help, please contact Grace Wright (Deputy Principal) at grace.wright@hvhs.school.nz.

Our English Learning Area is running a writing competition this term. The school-wide competition aims to find and celebrate our talented writers. Ākonga have been asked to write a short piece, no more than 1,500 words, to go in the draw for some fun prizes. They are able to write any style of writing for this piece.

The final pieces of work are to be emailed to teacher Megan Tompsett at megan.tompsett@hvhs.school.nz by Friday, 13 June (Week 7) - make sure to include your full name and student number on your work.

The winners of the different categories (best overall piece, best opening, most original concept and most compelling use of language) will be announced in Week 9. There will also be a display of the different pieces submitted in the library in the first two weeks of Term 3.

We have already had a range of entries from our ākonga, across all our year levels, and we look forward to reading what they can produce over the next few weeks!

Each year, we see students arriving at school who haven't had breakfast and are without kai for the day, and this year is no exception. Unfortunately, some of the charities that previously provided support are no longer able to do so. As a result, we are reaching out to our school community to see if whānau can help.

Donations of spreads for sandwiches, grab-and-go foods such as muesli bars and food items students can easily put in their school bags would be greatly appreciated. If you’re unsure what to donate, grocery vouchers are also a fantastic way to contribute. If you’d like to help, please contact Claire Ross (Head of Wellbeing) at claire.ross@hvhs.school.nz

The Resource Centre is open Monday to Thursday, 11:00am to 2:30pm, during term time only. Please note that the Resource Centre is closed on Tuesday, 17 June.

Come along and support our talented tamariki as they take the stage at HuttFest, a celebration of culture and performance from schools across the Hutt Valley.

📅 Friday 27 June - College Show 2
🕕 6:00pm-8:30pm
📍 Walter Nash Centre

Tickets are available online by clicking here – don’t miss out!

Monday 9 June

• Year 11 Production (Class KO) Begins

Tuesday 10 June

• Whanganui Sports Exchange, HVHS Hosting
• Canterbury University Information Evening, Lower Hutt Event Centre, 6pm-8:15pm

Wednesday 11 June

• Year 11-13 Parent/Teacher Interviews (Day 1)
• Years 9-13 Learning from Home
• Canterbury University Information Evening, Michael Fowler Centre, 6pm-8:15pm

Saturday 14 June

• Rockquest and Tangata Beats Events, Sacred Heart Performing Arts Centre

Monday 16 June

• Year 11 Production (Class BE) Begins

Wednesday 18 June

• Careers Expo, Lower Hutt Event Centre

Thursday 19 June

• Year 11-13 Parent/Teacher Interviews (Day 2)
• Years 9-13 Learning from Home

Friday 20 June

• Matariki (Public Holiday, School Closed)

Wednesday 25 June

• HVHS Board Meeting, 5:30pm-7:30pm, HVHS Boardroom

Friday 27 June

• HuttFest, Walter Nash Centre, 6:00-8:30pm (see article above with info on purchasing tickets)
• Last Day of Term 2

Saturday 28 June

• Rockquest Finals

Monday 14 July

• First Day of Term 3

Email: office@hvhs.school.nz
Website: hvhs.school.nz
Location: Hutt Valley High School Woburn Road, Woburn, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Phone: 04 566 4584