HVHS Newsletter

Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

Our Year 9 students are in the middle of their camping and outdoor adventure at Kaitoke Regional Park. The plan is for a blend of fun, learning and outdoor experiences - and hopefully two weeks of settled weather. Although we may have some soggy campers arriving home today. Sorry about that!

All thirteen of our Year 9 classes rotate through a two-day camping experience. It is a little hectic at school as this requires numerous staff accompanying them and relievers to cover classes left at school. I appreciate that this may cause disruption, but the benefits outweigh this. Students learn so much from an outdoor education experience and we work hard to continue to offer this opportunity at a cost that includes everyone.

First off, I owe a huge thank you to our dedicated staff. They're giving up their time (day and night!) to ensure our students have a safe and memorable experience at camp. Their commitment and leadership are what make programmes like this possible.

One of the key challenges for the students is learning to coexist with their classmates 24/7. Students have to live and work with others, developing a greater level of tolerance and understanding - all essential skills for their future. Through challenges like the 'Survivor Challenge', they'll experience the importance of teamwork and collective problem-solving. Practical skills like setting up a tent in windy conditions and cooking in the wilderness will boost their confidence and independence. It may also mean they have a recipe or two to bring home and share.

I really hope the students take time to appreciate their stunning surroundings at camp. Kaitoke Regional Park is a dense valley of native bush and rivers. We hope this grows a deeper respect for our environment. This camp isn't just about stepping out of the classroom. It's a chance for personal growth, skill development and creating lifelong memories.

The other groups out and about all over Wellington are our international students. Many of our international students do not sit NCEA, so Jodie Murden and her team have developed a superb Wellington experience for them. They have learned to bake ANZAC cookies, visited Staglands Wildlife Reserve, walked the Korokoro Dam track, learned to harvest and prepare harakeke (flax) to weave into baskets, surfed at Lyall Bay and of course, travelled on the Cable Car up to the Wellington Botanical Garden ki Paekākā. Thanks to another group of staff who have volunteered to make this programme so successful.

I hope you understand if some staff are looking a little weary and tired at the moment!

Ngā mihi nui

Denise Johnson, Principal

It has been an eventful year for the Technology Learning Area, marked by the introduction of a Level 3 Mechanical Engineering course and Computer-Aided Design and mixed materials courses in the junior school.

Throughout the year, we continued our collaboration with the Pathways Learning Area, working to showcase the diverse career opportunities within the technology sector to our students.

The Digital Technologies and Computer Science students had the opportunity to go on workplace visits to companies such as ZX Security, Optimal and Storypark. Over 100 students also attended the Working in the Cloud Technology event organised by Creative HQ.

In the area of Mechanical Engineering, students engaged with local engineering companies, offering them the option of a one-day-a-week placement to complement their classroom learning.

Our Furniture Making students had a unique experience at the Master Joiners Conference, with Amanda Brown (13HM) and Charlotte Sanders (13PN) presenting their insights into studying Furniture Making and Design. Pictured above with Cara Penfold (HVHS Teacher) at the conference.

Below is a glimpse of student's work across the different year levels and technology subjects. If you have any questions about the Technology Learning Area please email Katie Long (Head of Technology) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz.

Lost property is bursting at the seams with unnamed items we'd like to return to their student owners, including:

• basketballs
• caps
  
• glasses (a huge number!)
  
• hoodies (many black non-uniform ones)
  
• jackets (lots of branded ones e.g. Kathmandu, Macpac and Torpedo7)
  
• jewellery
  
• pencil cases
  
• school shoes & sneakers
• sweatshirts
  
• t-shirts
  
• umbrellas
  
• water bottles
  

For students that need to check for a lost item, please visit the Student Counter in the Main Office between 8:45am-3:30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Any lost property not claimed by the end of the school year will be donated to a local charity.

- Article by Tyson Szeto (11CV)

I'm excited to share my experiences as the new Student Representative on the Board. Firstly, a big thanks to the incredible students of Hutt Valley High School for entrusting me with this role. Your votes and support mean a lot to me. I also want to acknowledge all the outstanding candidates who ran for this position. Your dedication to our school community is commendable.

Being the Student Rep has been an incredible opportunity for me to develop leadership skills and understanding. Engaging with the Board has offered a unique perspective on decision-making and the workings of our school. Representing the student body and ensuring our voices resonate in crucial discussions shaping our educational journey is an honour.

I'm excited about the future ahead as the student representative on our Board and look forward to contributing positively to the betterment of our school.

Image: Tyson Szeto with Miranda Cross (Presiding Member, HVHS School Board)

If you have an unused scientific calculator at home or your student no longer needs their calculator, consider donating it to HVHS. We'll get it in the hands of a student who needs one.

We're not worried about the brand/model of the calculator - all donations are greatly received. You can drop off your old calculators at the Main Office at HVHS. It's open Monday to Friday from 8am-4pm during term time.

The Drama Department had its Year 10 production season last week, with each of the three classes performing to full audiences of parents and peers.

With seven shows in total, happening across two theatres, the performance nights were a celebration of the students' hard work and bravery.

Thank you to our school community for their support of the Absent Friends, The I Land and The End of the World As We Know It productions.

We're currently running low on donated uniforms. If your student has outgrown their uniform or no longer needs it, please consider donating it back to HVHS.

We'll ensure it is passed on to a student who needs it or loaned to a student who needs a replacement uniform item for a couple of days.

Any uniform items you wish to donate can be dropped to the HVHS Office, open Monday to Friday from 8am-4pm during term time.

Congratulations to Finn McQueen (13EV) and Oliver Tewatiya (13HM) for their selection to the Wellington U19 Men's Cricket Team. Oliver has also been named Vice Capital of the team. The team travels to Christchurch in December for the Nationals tournament.

College Sport Wellington hosted its annual Sportsperson of the Year Awards earlier in the month, celebrating the brightest young talents from around the Wellington region, including HVHS finalists representing 12 sporting codes. A special congratulations to the following code winners:

• Athletics ➼ Mikayla Sola (12SP)
• Football ➼ Alyssha Eglinton (12BQ)
• Orienteering ➼ Nicholas Green (13WR)
• Waterpolo ➼ George Channer (13EV)
• Ultimate ➼ Holly Dungey (12MC)

Premiership Pennants were also awarded to the HVHS Badminton Boys and Dragonboating teams.

Keeping in Touch

Help us celebrate our students' sporting successes by emailing sport@hvhs.school.nz with any information and results. We can share any photos on our social media pages. For reminders, news and results follow HVHS Sports on Facebook and Instagram.

Image: Mikayla Sola (also holding Alyssha Eglinton's trophy); Oliver Tewatiya (with the Dragonboating pennant), Darren Leishman (with the Badminton pennant), Holly Dungey and George Channer (seated, also holding Nicholas Green's trophy) at the College Sport Wellington Awards.

Suginami High School, our Japanese Sister School located in Tokyo, will be coming to HVHS next year from Tuesday 19 March to Tuesday 26 March 2024. We are looking for families who would be interested in hosting a Japanese student for this week. Host families will receive reimbursement to cover the cost of hosting.

You'll be required to look after them after school and for the weekend they are here. It is a great opportunity to make connections with a student from Japan, learn more about their culture and make new friendships. If you are interested in hosting a student, please contact Sarah Langley, Teacher in Charge of Japanese at sarah.langley@hvhs.school.nz.

Enrolments for 2024 in-zone students are open. We ask that parents/caregivers enrol now so that we can plan for their child's learning needs for 2024 and ensure a smooth transition to high school. Please note, out-of-zone applications for 2024 for Years 9-13 have now closed.

Once your child is enrolled you'll receive a booking time for an Enrolment Conversation. Enrolling now also helps ensure families and students are notified of sports trials, as many summer teams trial and start training in December.

All enrolments are completed online. Please click on the link above to start your online application. For enrolment enquiries, please contact Lesley Mackay at lesley.mackay@hvhs.school.nz or visit the HVHS website for more information.

We've changed to a new school app called SchoolBridge. Downloading the new SchoolBridge app will help keep you informed with alerts & notifications. Parents/caregivers can also report a student's absence using the app, and students can use the app to access their student ID card.

Download the new SchoolBridge App by searching for 'SchoolBridge' on the App Store or Google Play. If you need more information on signing in for the first time, please visit the HVHS website. Please also delete the old SchoolAppsNZ app, which is no longer used.

2023

Monday 20 November

• Year 9 Camps Continue (runs till Fri 24 Nov)
• NCEA Exams Continue (runs till Thurs 30 Nov)

Wednesday 22 November

• HVHS Board Meeting, 5:30-7:30pm

Friday 24 November

• International BBQ, 6:30-8:30pm

Friday 1 December

• 'Big 10' PE Event for Year 10 Students

Monday 4 December

• Tautoko, Supported Learning Centre Production, 3:30-5:00pm

Tuesday 5 December

• Postponement Date - 'Big 10' PE Event for Year 10 Students

Wednesday 6 December

• Year 13 Prizegiving, 6:00-8:00pm

Thursday 7 December

• Year 11 Prizegiving, 10:00-11:00am
• Year 12 Prizegiving, 11:30am-12:30pm

Monday 11 December

• Last Day of Classes for Year 9 & 10 Students

Tuesday 12 December

• Year 10 Prizegiving, 9:30-10:30am
• Year 9 Prizegiving, 11:00am-12:00pm

2024

Monday 29 January

• First Day for New Staff & Year 13 Student Leaders

Tuesday 30 January

• Teacher Only Day (no classes for students)

Wednesday 31 January

• Pastoral Meetings and Student Leadership Day

Thursday 1 February

• First Day for Year 9 Students (school day starts at 9am)

Friday 2 February

• Second Day for Year 9 Students (school day starts at 9am)
• First Day for Students in Years 10-13 (school day starts at 11.30am)

Tuesday 6 February

• Waitangi Day (public holiday, school closed)

Wednesday 14 February

• Athletics Day

Friday 29 March

• Good Friday (public holiday, school closed)

Monday 1 April

• Easter Monday (public holiday, school closed)

Tuesday 2 April

• Easter Tuesday (school holiday, school closed)

Friday 12 April

• Last Day of Term One

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