HVHS Newsletter
Thursday, 5 February - Week 2, Term 1
Welcome, Kia ora, Namaste, Talofa, Nǐ hǎo, Mālō e lelei, Bula, Xin chào, Salam,
I’d like to start this newsletter by introducing the team that leads HVHS and then later share some of the messages we have given and will stress further in our upcoming assemblies. I learned when my kids were teenagers that not everything said or that happened at school was remembered and passed on accurately at home. The most I got some weeks was a simple 'yup' or 'nah' when I asked, "Did you have a good day at school?" or "Is there anything I should know?" This newsletter is one way we can communicate important school events and activities directly with family and whānau.
We are a leadership team of six - myself and five Deputy Principals. Each Deputy Principal holds a significant portfolio, oversees a year level, and supports several Heads of Learning Area (HOLA), effectively running a small school.
Grace Wright looks after Year 9, with Deans Robyn Lantsbery & Eric Speakman.
Jon Nash looks after Year 10, with Deans Richard Edwards & Kirsten Taylor.
Rob Everett oversees Year 11 with Deans Angus Devine & Emma Pritchard.
Tim Fox looks after Year 12, with Deans Sarah Langley & Frank Versteegan.
Fiona Pearson looks after Year 13, with Deans Shaun McRoberts & Jeremy Keane.
Lana Goddard is the Principals' PA - and looks after us all! I imagine it feels like herding cats at times but we are grateful for her support. Please contact Lana if you need to arrange a time to meet with one of us, her email is lana.goddard@hvhs.school.nz.
Our Office Team are also there to help you and your students - Tania Jovanovich oversees the Office Team, as well as Attendance, Deb Edwards is our Enrolments Coordinator, Millie Blain-Anderson looks after the Student Reception and Jo Canton looks after First Aid (Sick Bay).
Formal Welcome: Mihi Whakatau
Last week, we held three mihi whakatau - formal ceremonies acknowledging the foundational culture of Aotearoa New Zealand - to induct and welcome our new staff, new students (especially our Year 9s), and 40 international students. These ceremonies sets a tone of respect and inclusion for everyone, and reflects our deep commitment to honouring our Māori community, bicultural heritage, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The ceremony successfully integrated our new colleagues and students, who began as visitors but concluded the event as 'one of us.'
I was incredibly proud of our Māori student leader, Kaitoro Walker (13JDPN), who, alongside Matua Marty and Matua George, spoke and led us beautifully. They highlighted the importance of our local landmarks—Pukeatua, Pukeariki, our sea - Te Whanganui-a-tara, and our rivers - Te Awakairangi and Waiwhetū, and most importantly, they spoke of our commitment to supporting and guiding students to be their very best: Whaia te iti kahurangi (Seek the treasures of your heart, reach for the stars); and that people are what matter most: He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
The Basics: Setting the Standard
1. The Uniform - The Wings & Ad Alta (To the Heights): Our black and white colours are our identity. The crest with the wings and the motto Ad Alta (To the Heights) has been our symbol and guide for 100 years. The star above the wings is a reminder to stretch yourself every day (Reach for the Stars). Please wear our uniform with pride. The basic rule is simple: If it doesn't have our HVHS wings, it doesn't fly (a few exceptions exist, like plain black outer-layer jackets and hats, and our regulation trousers and skirts and shorts).
The Resource Centre can now supply trousers to all students. This has not always been the case.
All Year 9 students must wear trousers from the Resource Centre only. From 2027, all other year levels must also only wear trousers purchased from the Resource Centre. Please note: The trousers are dress pants, not casual equivalents.
We strongly encourage senior students in Years 11-13 to purchase a blazer. Juniors are allowed but I am only too aware of how much they grow! The blazer serves as an additional outer layer, a place to proudly display earned badges, and a way to demonstrate school pride, school's colours, and the wings. Often they are used to wear to formal occasions or sports games. They are available for purchase from the Resource Centre for $150.
2. Cellphones - "Away for the Day": Phones are not to be used at any point during the school day. They must be placed in classroom storage hangers or boxes during every class and inside bags during breaks (not seen or heard). The consequence if this rule is broken, the student's phone is confiscated and kept in the Principal's office, and the family is contacted. The phone can be collected by the student at the end of the day.
3. Behaviour - The Three Respects: These are the glue that holds a community together. It’s about recognising the value in yourself, the people around you, and the environment you share. Specifically:
Respect for self e.g. saying "no" when you are overwhelmed or when a situation goes against your values.
Respect for others e.g. avoid offensive remarks; "if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all".
Respect for property e.g. we have fantastic facilities, please look after them. Be a ‘Tidy Kiwi’ and put your litter in the bin.
4. Accountability - Growth over Perfection: When a mistake is made, and we know teenagers will make mistakes, we expect students to "Own it, Fix it, Learn from it, Move on". We aren't looking for perfection; we are looking for personal responsibility. We want a peaceful campus where disagreements are solved through dialogue, not harsh words, violence, or "hiding" in cyberspace. Students are encouraged to Pause, Stop, Breathe, and Think before they Respond to prevent silly things from escalating. Students are encouraged to seek support to navigate complicated situations.
5. Attendance - Every Day Counts: The Ministry of Education now requires every school to have a formal Attendance Plan. Here is the link to ours - HVHS Attendance Management Plan 2026. The Bottom Line: Students who attend, succeed. Our statistics prove that students with regular attendance, at over 90%, are most often successful in NCEA. However, students who participate in school activities (sports, leadership, clubs and service) and maintain 90% attendance thrive.
Please note that even at 90% attendance, a student is missing 10% of their learning time, which equates to 104 hours of subject time missed per year. That is a significant loss of opportunity.
Looking Ahead
The start of the 2026 school year has been defined by a strong focus on inclusion, setting clear expectations, and reinforcing the crucial partnership between home and school. Our core expectations - Pride in Uniform (Ad Alta), adherence to the "Away for the Day" cellphone rule, the 'Three Respects' in behaviour, and the commitment to personal Accountability and Attendance are all geared toward cultivating an environment where every student can grow into an independent, successful young adult.
We are incredibly optimistic about the year ahead and the journey of growth and achievement awaiting our students. We believe deeply in the potential of every student to thrive here at HVHS. Let's work together this year to ensure they reach their highest potential, embody our school values, and truly seek the treasures of their heart.
Whaia te iti kahurangi, Seek the treasures of your heart, reach for the stars.
Ngā mihi nui,
Denise Johnson, Principal
- Triathlon - Hatty Young (10GIMI) placed first in the U16 Girls category at the recent Secondary Schools Triathlon. At the same event, Jacob Williams (11GS) placed first in the U16 Boys category.
- Athletics - Jacob Williams (11GS) also competed in the North Island and South Island Colgate Games. Jacob won two gold medals, in the 800m and 1,500m in the South Island Games and a gold medal in the 4x100m at the North Island Games, as well as 3 silver medals in the 800m, 1,500m and mixed medley relay.
HYROX Auckland 2026
Hyrox, in case you are not familiar with it, is one of the fastest‑growing sports — an epic international fitness competition. There were about 6,000 competitors at Hyrox Auckland 2026 including Coco Holland‑Waterson (13JDPN). This event attracts competitors from all around the world, as there are only 80 Hyrox competitions worldwide each year.
Competing in the Women's Open Division against a field of 926 entries, Coco won it! Coco raced in the ‘Pro’ Women’s Race two days later with the elite women (140 in this race!) and came second overall and first in her age category. The following day, Coco competed in the Pro Mixed Race carrying men’s pro weights. Over 2,200 people entered this race. Coco and her teammate Mika came second in their age category (16–24 years) and 16th overall.
Doing three Hyrox races is unheard of, especially as Coco was one of the youngest competitors there. Coco's race results have qualified her for the World Championships in Stockholm in June - a huge honour, as only the top athletes of each Hyrox competition are selected to attend this prestigious event.
Image: Coco Holland‑Waterson (13JDPN) competing in Hyrox.
The AED (Defibrillator) is located at the front of the school on Woburn Road, near the driveway by the Supported Learning Centre.
In an emergency, you can access the AED by calling 111 to obtain the lockbox code. The school office also holds the code for quick access. After you've entered the lockbox code, grab the AED, and go. It is available to use 24/7 for both the school and the wider community.
AED units are designed to be operated by anyone. Once you've opened the AED unit, it tells you what to do. Listen and follow the instructions. Always remember to call 111 in an emergency.
Registrations are open for students to sign up for music lessons in 2026, please click here to learn more and to complete the application form.
In 2026 music lessons are offered in bass guitar, cello, clarinet, double bass, drums, flute, guitar (classical, rock and jazz), percussion, saxophone (alto, baritone & tenor), songwriting, trombone, trumpet, tuba, voila, violin and voice.
Students can help themselves to two packets of period products per month. We also encourage students to take products home during the school holidays and when on study leave to cover their full menstrual cycle.
Period products are located in the tall white cupboard between the Student Reception and the First Aid Room (Sick Bay). Available to students are pads and tampons in sizes regular and super, and also liners.
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).
Year 9 students (and new students starting in Years 10-13) will receive their login and password for the SchoolBridge app in the first week of Term 1. This information will allow them to log into the app. If your student requires parental permission to download an app to their mobile, consider approving the download of the SchoolBridge app to their mobile before their first day at school.
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 Monday to Thursday from 11:00am to 2:30pm, and closed on Fridays. For any questions, please email resource.centre@hvhs.school.nz.
Hutt Valley High School is pleased to give students the opportunity to register and participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Hilary Award scheme (Duke of Ed).
The Duke of Ed is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and make a real impact - all while having an unforgettable adventure.
To learn more about the Duke of Ed at HVHS please click here or contact Sarah Coales, HVHS Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator, at sarah.coales@hvhs.school.nz. Sarah’s role involves helping students register and navigate their way through the Award. Students don’t have to start at Bronze they can be direct entrants at Silver or Gold.
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