HVHS Newsletter
Friday, 20 March - Week 8, Term 1
Kia ora koutou,
It's hard to believe it's week 8 and the term is almost over. We've had many exciting events and activities, with many more still to come. Congratulations to Taraua on winning the first round of the Rounders competition!
Hundreds of students have signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, which is fantastic. Students who missed the information evening and require more details can still contact Sarah Coales (HVHS's Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator) at sarah.coales@hvhs.school.nz. As explained at the parents' meeting, this qualification demonstrates a student's commitment, perseverance, and service-mindedness. It shows potential employers that a student can start and finish something, and cope with a little bit of stress by participating in things outside their comfort zone, and can consider people other than themself. These are all qualities employers look for, so the award makes a wonderful addition to any CV.
Next Wednesday, students are asked to bring a 'can' in exchange for the privilege of wearing non-uniform for the day. This event is organised by our 2026 Service Leaders - Hugh McWhinnie (13JDPN) and Izzy Fogarty (13JDPN), with the support of a Gateway Group working on a community project. Our cans will be donated to the Lower Hutt Foodbank. Anyone who drives along High Street on a weekday morning will see what an important and needed resource this place is for the Hutt Valley community. This is a simple and meaningful way for our school to support others in our community. Perhaps instead of donating one can, you might consider donating two.
Hugh and Izzy have also been actively planning a Chromebook donation drive, working closely with the local Chamber of Commerce. This initiative aims to collect 100 donated Chromebooks to mark our 100-year celebrations. Similar to the Foodbank collection, this is another way for us to support those in our community who are less fortunate. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the necessary learning devices - and remove any possible barriers to them thriving at school. Thanks in advance for supporting this initiative. If you'd like to get involved or support the Chromebook donaton drive, please email Hugh at 22423hm@hvhs.school.nz or Izzy at 22158if@hvhs.school.nz.
Our planning for the 100th celebrations is progressing well. We invite anyone with a prior connection to HVHS, including family and friends who attended, to our Open Day and events on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August. Our plan for the event is to showcase education in 2026 and the current campus, with our students serving as hosts, guides and performers.
Image: Prefects, 1946. HVHS Archives.
The production of Urinetown: The Musical is well underway, with rehearsals taking place three days a week after school and on Sundays.
The team are now looking for specific items to help enhance the characters and set. We’re hoping our wider community will be able to help by lending us the following items (until early July):
Typewriters – decorative only; we’re looking for two. They will be used simply to pull out a piece of paper with a flourish and do not need to function.
Briefcases or attaché cases – we’re looking for 4–5 cases, preferably black or brown.
Long overcoats or duffle coats – we’re looking for 10-12, ideally in larger, traditionally masculine cuts, dark navy or black, to be used as ‘police’ uniforms for a quick‑change scene.
Garment racks – we need 3–4 for backstage use.
If you are able to assist, please email Annette Inglis (Urinetown Production Team) at annette.inglis@hvhs.school.nz
A reminder to families that their child's 2026 HVHS portrait photos are now ready to preview, download, and purchase.
For information on how to log in and access your child's photos, please see the email from InPhotography, sent on Thursday 12 March. For any questions, please contact InPhotography by clicking here.
Class photos will be available later in Term 1 or early Term 2, once the proofing process has been completed. Note - discounts are often available when purchasing both the individual portrait photo and the class photo as part of a package.
Hello to parents & caregivers,
We are two year 13 students (Kārena & Neve) collecting donations for Hutt Valley Women's Refuge for our social sustainability project.
We're specifically looking for:
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant.
- Dishwashing liquid, laundry powder, surface spray and sponges.
- School lunchbox items and snacks for children.
- Supermarket or petrol vouchers, which can help families cover immediate needs.
If you are able to donate at all even in a small way it would be really appreciated. We will have a box in the English Office for anyone dropping things off and will be coming round during mentor time on Wednesdays to collect donations from the students until the end of term.
Ngā mihi nui,
Neve Herrmann (13KT) & Kārena Coffey (13JDPN)
Congratulations to our newest group of Duke of Edinburgh Award recipients:
Arabella Young (12DA) - Silver Award
Ava Arthurs (12PC) - Bronze Award
Ferghus Smith (12SR) - Bronze Award
Halo Cowan (12DA) - Bronze Award
Jake Roberts (11TU) - Bronze Award
Joshua Sims (11CI) - Bronze Award
Mayan Braden (12CT) - Bronze Award
If you'd like to learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, please visit our school website page by clicking here.
We have a helpful 12‑page NCEA Booklet for HVHS families, designed to ensure everyone understands what is required of senior students (typically Years 11–13) undertaking NCEA courses. It’s an easy 10‑minute read and a great starting point for understanding how NCEA works at HVHS. The booklet includes information on:
Gaining a Level 2 or Level 3 NCEA Certificate
Internal and external assessment
Endorsement of NCEA Certificates
Course (subject) endorsements
Internal standards and moderation
Entrance to subjects at the next level
University Entrance
New Zealand Scholarship exams, awards and grants
Reporting of progress and results
NCEA exams and required paperwork
For any questions about NCEA, please contact your student’s subject teacher.
Our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teachers are always looking for different ways to build language skills, and they are currently seeking sets of knucklebones that families may have at home. Partial sets are also welcome — even a few pieces are useful for teaching and small‑group activities.
If you have any spare knucklebones you’re happy to donate, please drop them off at the School Office, which is open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday during term time.
Students can help themselves to two packets of period products per month. We also encourage students to take products home for the upcoming school holidays to ensure they have enough for their full menstrual cycle.
Period products are located in the tall white cupboard in the hallway between the Student Counter and Sick Bay. Pads, tampons and liners are available for students to take as needed.
One of the planned highlights of our upcoming 100th Celebrations on Saturday 8 August will be a massed musical performance of our school waiata, E Tipu. Current students, staff and alumni are warmly invited to take part in this special item, bringing our community together
To help everyone prepare, below you can now download the instrumental parts to practise in the lead‑up to the big day in August 2026. They are also available on the school website.
For any questions, please email Jhan Lindsay (Performing Arts Coordinator / Teacher in Charge – Itinerant Music Programme) at music@hvhs.school.nz
Music Parts for E Tipu Performance
- Bass Instruments (Easy) e.g. bass guitar, double bass & tuba
- Bass Instruments (Intermediate)
- B Flat Instruments e.g. clarinet, trumpet and tenor saxophone
- C Instruments e.g. violin & flute
- E Flat Instrument e.g. alto saxophone
- Guitar, Chords
- Viola
We are always looking for new host families to help with hosting international student attending HVHS. Hosting is a wonderful opportunity to learn about diverse traditions, cultures, and languages while supporting a young person during their time in Aotearoa.
We encourage you to consider becoming a homestay family, if your family can provide a welcoming and supportive environment, has a spare bedroom available, and lives in-zone (preferred).
Homestay families receive $350 per week. Hosting options range from short-term support, such as a weekend stay while a student’s homestay family is away, through to full‑time hosting for up to one year.
Our international students come from a wide range of countries, including Brazil, Cambodia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. For more information or to express your interest, please email our Homestay Coordinator, Anna Kingsford, at anna.kingsford@hvhs.school.nz, and include a short bio about your family and a contact phone number.
At HVHS we want every student to have the opportunity to learn and thrive. One of the ways we support this is by making sure students who arrive without breakfast or enough food for the day can access kai when they need it.
If you’re able to help, we are currently seeking donations of sandwich spreads, fillings e.g. cheese slices and ham, and grab‑and‑go items (such as muesli bars). Donations can be dropped directly to the School Office during term time, Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm. For any questions, you’re also welcome to email Claire Ross (Head of Wellbeing) at claire.ross@hvhs.school.nz.
We’re grateful for the ongoing support of Petone Youth and Family Trust, who provide apples and carrots each week, and the Salvation Army, who supply bread for sandwiches. Koha from whānau has also helped us provide fruit and other essentials for our students. Your generosity helps ensure our students feel full, supported, and ready to learn. Ka nui te mihi.
Hutt Valley High School uses the SchoolBridge school app. It is recommended that parents, caregivers and students download the SchoolBridge app to keep informed with HVHS alerts and notifications, and it is especially important to have on your mobile during an emergency, e.g. school lockdown. Parents and caregivers can also report a student’s absence using the app (remember to select the correct student's name if you have two or more children at HVHS).
The SchoolBridge app gives students access to their digital Student ID card and school timetable. If you need more information on signing in for the first time, please click here
The Resource Centre is located upstairs in the Library area. To visit, please enter through the School Office in the Main Administration Building and follow the signs to the Library.
The Resource Centre is open during term time, Monday to Thursday from 11:00am to 2:30pm, and closed on Fridays. For any questions, please email resource.centre@hvhs.school.nz.
Discounted calculators are available to purchase at the Resource Centre. Available models (all GST inclusive and with a 1‑year warranty) include:
fx‑9750GII – refurbished graphics calculator – $87
fx‑9750GIII – new graphics calculator – $111
fx‑82AU PLUS II 2nd edition – new scientific calculator – $46
The fx‑9750GII and fx‑9750GIII are graphics calculators similar to those sold in retail stores and are recommended for students in Years 11–13. The fx‑82AU PLUS II 2nd edition is a scientific calculator suitable for Years 9–10, but not appropriate for senior Maths courses. All models are NZQA approved.
Sadly, we’ve had a couple of recent thefts of bikes and scooters by members of the public coming onto the school grounds. Please remind students to secure their gear whenever it’s left on site.
To help keep belongings safe, students need to:
Lock bikes, scooters and helmets to the racks using a study lock
Don't leave them overnight
Keeping equipment secured helps reduce the risk of further thefts and supports a safer school environment for everyone. We appreciate your help with this.
Contact Information
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