HVHS Newsletter

It was particularly moving to see the involvement of so many young people from the Hutt Valley community. Students laid wreaths in solemn tribute, honouring the service men and women who gave so much for our country. The service was well-attended by community leaders, including politicians Ginny Andersen and Chris Bishop, and Mayor Ken Laban, all of whom stood alongside the community in remembrance.

A highlight of the ceremony was hearing from a visiting armed services woman from Australia, who shared her family's deeply personal story of their links to various wars and challenging overseas deployments. She spoke about the strong bond with New Zealand, noting that in war or conflict zones we are 'mates' who have each other's back, though perhaps not for the upcoming Warriors or Hurricanes games!

Her narrative led me to reflect on my own family history. My relatives served in and continue to serve around the world. A source of immense pride was knowing that my cousin's son, Captain Jack Manning, represented the New Zealand Defence Force at the Gallipoli commemoration in Turkey this year, continuing a proud family tradition of service.

Jack's grandfather, Roley Manning, an alumni of HVHS, also served with distinction in the New Zealand Army as a Major in the 1st Battalion, New Zealand Regiment (1 NZ Regt, FIB), and was awarded the MBE (Military Division) and Mentioned in Despatches (MID).

HVHS maintains a roll of honour board (pictured) in recognition of the 67 former students and one teacher, who served in the Armed Forces and died during the Second World War, 1939-1945.

HVHS Trumpet and Trombone Tutor, Matthew Stein also recently travelled to Gallipoli with the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, one of New Zealand's premier military bands. Matthew performed The Last Post, a poignant bugle call in military tradition that signifies the end of the day's activities.

A special congratulations to Aisha Ayoubi (12WE), who has been selected as a member of the New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council. The aim of the council that Aisha is joining is to engage, empower, and advocate for refugee-background youth in Aotearoa.

Ngā mihi nui,

Denise

The Music Department is on the search for keen junior students (Years 9-10) to pick up violin and viola lessons this term. We have instruments and spaces available and would love to welcome more students into lessons with Alex Vaatstra.

Currently there is space for 8+ junior students to join violin and viola lessons, and instruments are available to hire at $25 per term. Lessons are once a week on a Thursday for 30 minutes, lessons are scheduled to ensure students do not miss the same class time each week.

If you're interested or would like more information, please email Jhan Lindsay at music@hvhs.school.nz.

Rugby - High Performance Camp

Congratulations to our Co-Ed College U18 boys selected for the Wellington Rugby High Performance Camp: Gus Neilson (13WR), Elijah Faio (13WD), Charlie Molloy (13CW), Toby Webb (13IN), and Kees Laulau (13LE).

Pictured below: Left - Elijah Faio (13WD) & Toby Webb (13IN), and images from the high performance camp.

Running - Faultline Ultra Event

Daniel McMahon (9OAPH) ran a 12km race on Sunday, which was part of the annual Faultline Ultra event in Wellington. It was Daniel's first 12km race, and he came in 2nd for his age group (under 14s) with a time of 1:06:32. He came 12th overall out of 218 participants for that distance, and 9th out of the 89 male competitors.

Swimming - New Zealand Age Group Championships

Hannah Sampson (12VY) spent the first week of the recent school holidays competing at the New Zealand Age Group Championships in Hawkes Bay. Hannah secured podium finishes in all five of her events in the women's 16 year age group placing 2nd in the 200m Breaststroke , and 3rd in the following events, also achieving personal best times: 100m Breaststroke, 50m Breaststroke, 200m Individual Medley, and 100m Butterfly.

Volleyball Representatives - Wellington Inter-Provincial Championships (IPC)

Congratulations to Liv Turner (11CN), Mackenzie Gwerder (11GS), Tram Vo (11SA), and Yasemin Tekin (11SA), on their selection to the Wellington Volleyball U17 IPC team, and to Juliet Berry (12TI) for selection to the U19 IPC team.

Waterpolo - Australian Youth Water Polo Competition

Cassidy Blakeborough (12VY) was in Brisbane over the school holidays competing in the Australian Youth Water Polo Competition the largest waterpolo event in the Southern Hemisphere, Cassidy was playing in both the U16 and U18 competitions.

Cassidy was part of the Harbour City Hawks, a Wellington based U18 Water Polo Team who won the tournament. They were unbeaten in the U18 Green Division Tournament. The nail biting final saw Harbour City Hawks playing the South Africa U16 team, winning with a final score 10-7. Cassidy then stayed on the second week of the holidays to play in the U16 Division, her team placed 8th out of 26 teams from around Australia.

Orienteering - North Island Secondary School Championships

Jacob Williams (11GS) represented HVHS in the North Island Secondary School Orienteering Champs held in New Plymouth. He received silver for sprint event in the intermediate boys championship grade and a very creditable 6th in the classic long orienteering course competing in massive fields in absolutely atrocious conditions!

Jacob followed on from his success in the New Zealand Orienteering Club Nationals in the Wairarapa held over the Easter weekend; where he joined his sister and cousin in a relay moving his team from third into first place in the red short relay against much older experienced orienteers - a great result for the Hutt Valley Club.

Friendly Reminders from the Sports Office!

Good luck to all our winter sports teams that have started this week. Enjoy the season and remember to play hard, play fair and represent HVHS with pride. A massive thank you to our new and returning coaches, managers, van drivers and supporters who help make these opportunities happen each week. We are grateful for your mahi and support of our student athletes.

Please keep checking your school emails as this is our way of sending communications from the Sports Office. Winter sport fees have been added onto players' school accounts, please can these be paid by Friday, 16 May.

Families with students sitting CAA exams were emailed in early May; this article is a friendly reminder of the key dates and provides information on the exams themselves.

A quick recap: CAAs (Common Assessment Activities) are online tests, and involve three separate tests: one each for Reading, Writing, and Numeracy. These three tests are co-requisites that students must pass to achieve NCEA. In Term 2 at HVHS, Year 10 students sit the Numeracy test, while students in Years 11–13 have the opportunity to re-sit any of the three tests if required.

Helpful Information

• If a student needs a borrow a device to sit their exam, please request form by clicking here as soon as possible.

• Check your device meets the NZQA specifications for digital assessments by clicking here.
• Students may bring a pen, a clear pencil bag and a clear drink bottle. For Numeracy exams, students may also bring rulers and calculators (see the Maths department if you need one).
• For students with Special Assessment Conditions (SAC), please follow the instructions sent from the Learning Support team.
• General NZQA external assessment rules apply.
• Students must go to timetabled classes when they are not in the tests.
• Students must be in uniform.

Year 10 Students

NUMERACY ONLY

Monday, 18 May

Spells 1 & 2 in the Hall: 10ADSB, 10ASKO, 10BESD, 10BLNC, 10DMST & 10WMCE

Spells 3 & 4 in the Hall: 10DRCR, 10GIMI, 10RNOL, 10WBSC, 10WHAR, 10WSLN & 10GFDI

Students in Years 11-13 Re-sitting CAAs

NUMERACY - Tuesday, 19 May, Spells 3 & 4 in the Hall

READING - Wednesday, 20 May, Spells 3 & 4 in the Hall

WRITING - Thursday, 21 May - Spells 3 & 4 in the Hall

For any questions please contact, Katie Long (Head of Technology Learning Area/ Principal's Nominee NZQA) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz.

Our Service Leaders, Hugh McWhinnie (13JDPN) and Izzy Fogarty (13JDPN) and the HVHS 2026 Relay For Life Team are fundraising hard - with $6,438 raised so far! The HVHS Relay for Life team is always looking for more students and staff to sign up and fundraise. Relay for Life takes place on Saturday, 30 May and Sunday, 31 May so there is still plenty of time for fundraising.

Relay for Life is a community event to celebrate survivors, remembers those we’ve lost, and helps fight back against cancer by raising life-saving funds for the Cancer Society.

To register to join the HVHS Team, visit the Relay for Life website (or click the green link below), select 'Wellington' and under teams search for 'Hutt Valley High School'. It’s a great opportunity to have lots of fun, and raise funds for a great cause! For any questions, please email Tim Fox (Deputy Principal) at tim.fox@hvhs.school.nz.

University Information Evenings

Seniors planning their next steps can now find several university information evenings listed on the HVHS CareerWise website. These sessions are a great way to explore future pathways:

University of Waikato

• When: Tuesday 5 May, 6:00pm, Dowse Art Museum

• Covers: Degrees, scholarships, and student life.

University of Otago

• When: Wednesday 13 May, 6:00pm, Lower Hutt Events Centre

• Covers: Degree programmes, accommodation, and application processes.

University of Auckland – Engineering

• When: 14–26 May, Online and in-person options, Wellington in-person: Tuesday 26, May.

• Covers: Engineering pathways, entry requirements, and career options.

University of Sydney – Medical Programme (Webinar)

• When: Wednesday 6 May, Online

• Covers: Overseas medical study, programme structure, and admissions.

StudyLink

We also have the team from StudyLink at HVHS running information sessions in early June. These sessions cover:

• Student Loans & Allowances: Understanding the difference and what they cover.

• Eligibility: Finding out what support students may be entitled to.

• Preparation: Identifying the documents required for future applications.

StudyLink Session Times (HVHS Library):

• Thursday 4 June: 9:00am

• Tuesday 9 June: 1:30pm

Students should check the HVHS CareerWise site regularly, as new events and registration details are added throughout the term.

The cast of Urinetown: The Musical have been incredibly busy during Term 1 and the recent school holidays, putting in several six-hour rehearsal days to polish Act One. Progress has been fantastic, and the energy was high during full run-throughs with the band. With Act One looking polished, the focus has now shifted to Act Two.

Tickets will go on sale at the end of May. We will share more details in the newsletter and on social media on how to purchase tickets closer to the time.

Images: Rehearsals for Urinetown: The Musical, photos by Adrian Cartwright (Co-Head of Learning Area - The Arts).

The Urinetown team are looking to borrow a pair of small-ish light weight chairs (see picture) to use as part of the set. The ideal chairs are a matched pair, something 50's / 60's mid century modern.

We'd like to borrow the set of chairs from Monday 18 May (week 5) to Friday, 10 July (first week of school holidays). If you're able to help, please email Annette Inglis (Production Team) at annette.inglis@hvhs.school.nz

Join us on Wednesday, 27 May from 6-8pm for our school’s annual Open Evening. The Open Evening begins at 6pm with an introduction from Principal, Denise Johnson. After this, student-led tours will depart from the School Hall. The evening is a fantastic opportunity for parents, caregivers and students interested in attending in 2027 to walk around the school and see our learning areas in action. No registration is required – everyone is welcome to attend!

The key enrolment application dates for in‑zone and out‑of‑zone students entering Years 9–13 in 2027 are available on the HVHS website by clicking here. The first important date for families is Monday, 25 May, when Year 9-13 enrolments open for both in‑zone and out‑of‑zone applications for the 2027 school year.

Did you know you can now place Tuckr canteen orders through the Kindo app? To get started, simply download the myKindo app or visit the myKindo website to create your account. Select from the menu, and your student collects it at the canteen. Fast, easy and no cash required. Orders or cancellations close at 9:00am.

Tuckr are currently running a promotion with every order placed via the myKindo app going in the draw to win $50 Kindo credits and $250 fuel vouchers. Terms and conditions apply.

A big thank you to the many whānau who have already booked their Year 9 and 10 Learning Conversations. We look forward to seeing you and your students at school next week.

If you haven't booked yet, bookings remain open for Learning Conversation on Wednesday 6 May (8:30 am – 4:30 pm). Learning Conversations provide the opportunity to discuss your student's progress including subjects that are going well, subjects that need attention, Attitude to Learning results, assessment and progress, goal setting, wellbeing, study and pathways beyond school.

How to Book:

1. Log in to SchoolBridge or visit huttvalley.schoolpoint.co.nz.

2. Click the ‘Bookings’ button at the top of the home page.

3. Select ‘View’ then ‘Make a Booking’.

4. Choose your student's Mentor Teacher and select an available time slot.

Reminders for Wednesday 6 May:

• Learning from Home: All students will work remotely on Google Classroom for the day, attending school only for their scheduled appointment.

• Non-Uniform: Students are welcome to wear non-uniform when attending Learning Conversation

• Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)
• EOTC Governance Roles and Responsibilities
• EOTC Risk Assessment and Management
• International Learners

The School Board welcomes feedback and input from the school community on these policies. To read the policies click here and search for 'Hutt Valley High School', and enter username 'HVHS' and the password 'Adalta'. The close off date for feedback is Sunday, 24 May, 2026.

Aurel Alok Gautam (12NI) has won a prize at the 77th Indian Council for Cultural Relations Foundation Day for her painting representing the theme of “Festivals of India” that beautifully captured the spirit, diversity, and vibrant traditions of her culture. Aurel was honored to receive her prize from Her Excellency Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand (picture below).

Congratulations to Alexis Hood (12TI), who recently competed as part of the St John Youth National Competition, representing the Central Region.

The event, which involved 72 cadets from around New Zealand, was held over four days at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch during the recent school holidays, with cadets competing in first aid scenarios, drill and communication scenarios.

Alexis achieved outstanding results in the emergency tests, securing 2nd place overall, with a 2nd place in Emergency Test 1 and a 3rd place in Emergency Test 2. Furthermore, Alexis' team won the Champion Team title, and the Central Region was named the Champion Region.

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, muesli bars and Up & Go breakfast drinks. 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. Ka nui te mihi.

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.

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.

Everyone who is keen to be involved is asked to gather at 2pm on Saturday 8 August in the Music Block for a short briefing, with cases and bags able to be securely stored in a Music classroom until after the performance. From there, everyone will head over to the hall to set up, warm up, tune and rehearse E Tipu before the massed performance at 3pm.

Our aim for the performance is to have at least 150 instrumentalists playing and 300 singers. All students and staff at Hutt Valley High School sing the song regularly at assemblies and celebrations and we encourage those students at school for the 100th Open Day to come and sing in this large-scale massed celebration performance.

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

Road Safety Education are running a free workshop for parents and caregivers to support teens in driving safely. The Teaching Your Teenager to Drive Workshop is on Wednesday, 6 May from 5:45pm to 7:00pm at Fraser Park. For more information, click here.

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 soon, 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.

Come along to see the final products, enjoy the creativity on display, and celebrate the hard mahi our students have put into bringing their business ideas to life. Check out the details below.

The Resource Centre's opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 11:00am to 2:30pm, and closed on Fridays. 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. For any questions, please email resource.centre@hvhs.school.nz.

Wednesday 6 May

• Learning Conversations with Year 9-10 Families, 8:00am-4:00pm (No classes, all students learning from home)

Tuesday 12 May

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

• Year 9 Disco, 7:00pm-9:00pm, HVHS Hall

Monday 18 May

• Common Assessment Activities (CAAs), Literacy & Numeracy Testing, Runs till Friday, 22 May)

• Rockquest & Tangata Beats, Regional Finals

• Formal Opening of C-Block, 7:15am-9:15am

• HVHS Open Evening for New Students & Families, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Friday 29 May

• Teacher Only Day (No classes for students)

• Relay for Life Fundraiser, Hnry Stadium (Formerly Sky Stadium)

Monday 1 June

• King's Birthday (Public holiday, school closed)

• Canterbury University - College House Presentation, 1:30pm-2:30pm, Library

• StudyLink Information Session, 9:00am-10:00am, Library

Tuesday 9 June

• Whanganui Sports Exchange
• StudyLink Information Session, 1:30pm-2:30pm, Library
• Learning Community Hub (Subject Selection), HVHS Staffroom, 6:30pm-7:30pm

• HVHS Careers Expo, HVHS Hall, 7:30am-3:30pm

Thursday 11 June

• Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 11-13 Families, Day 1 of 2 (No classes, all students learning from home)

• Schools' Pride Week Aotearoa 2026, Runs till Friday, 19 June

Wednesday 17 June

• Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 11-13 Families, Day 2 of 2 (No classes, all students learning from home)

Tuesday 23 June

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

Thursday 25 June

• Year 11 Market Evening, 4:00pm-6:00pm

• Huttfest, Walter Nash Stadium

Tuesday 30 June

• Urinetown The Musical, Dress Rehearsal, HVHS Hall, 12:30pm-3:30pm
• Urinetown The Musical, Performance, HVHS Hall, 7:00pm-9:00pm

• Urinetown The Musical, Performance, HVHS Hall, 7:00pm-9:00pm

• Urinetown The Musical, Performance, HVHS Hall, 7:00pm -9:00pm

• Last Day of Term 2
• Urinetown The Musical, Performance, HVHS Hall, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Saturday 4 July

• Urinetown The Musical, Final Performance, HVHS Hall, 2:00pm- 4:00pm

Monday 20 July

• First Day of Term 3

• Whānau Hui, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Friday 7 August

• Students Learning From Home (No classes for Years 9-13)
• 100th Celebrations, Teachers, Staff and Board Members Reunion, HVHS Staffroom, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Saturday, 8 August

• 100th Open Day Celebrations, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Special Early Dinner for Alumni in the 1940s Decade & Early 1950s, HVHS C Block, 5:30-7:30pm

Tuesday 11 August

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

Monday 17 August

• House Has Talent, Runs till Friday 21 August, HVHS Hall

Friday 21 August

• Wellington Tertiary Open Day

• Coaches & Managers Meeting for Winter Tournament Week, HVHS Staffroom, 6:00pm-7:00pm

• New Zealand Secondary Schools Winter Tournament Week Starts, Runs till Friday, 4 September

• Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) for Level 1 Literacy & Numeracy Testing, Runs till Friday 11 September

• Hockey Prizegiving, HVHS Staffroom, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Tuesday 15 September

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

• Winter Sports Team & Duke of Edinburgh Photos, HVHS Hall
• Football Prizegiving, HVHS Hall, 5:30pm-7:30pm

• Year 13 Ball, 7:00pm-11:00pm

Monday 21 September

• Basketball Prizegiving, HVHS Hall, 5:30pm-7:30pm

• Netball Prizegiving, HVHS Hall, 6:00pm-8:00pm

• Rugby Prizegiving, HVHS Hall, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Friday 25 September

• Last Day of Term 3

Monday 12 October

• First Day of Term 4
• Derived Grade Exams Begin, Running till Wednesday 21 October

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