HVHS Newsletter
Thursday, 2 April - Week 10, Term 1
Kia ora e te whānau,
As we reach the conclusion of a busy and rewarding Term 1, I want to extend a huge thank you to our students, staff, and whānau for your ongoing support. This term has been filled with learning, growth, and remarkable achievements.
We are currently navigating a period of significant educational change. You may have followed the Minister of Education’s announcements regarding a renewed qualifications framework and a revised curriculum. This curriculum is notably more prescriptive than in the past, and our Year 9s of 2026 will be the first students to experience the Foundational Certificate in 2028.
At HVHS, we are well-prepared for this transition. We already offer a focused Year 11 programme emphasising literacy, numeracy, and preparation for the specialised years of Year 12 and 13. While our staff are grappling with these enormous changes, we are committed to sharing updates with you as they happen. Thank you to those who have already attended our information evenings.
With the release of new curricula for English and Maths, we are now reporting using different language, such as "progress markers" and "descriptors." This language indicates where your child sits compared to other students their age, using criteria such as Emerging, Developing, Consolidating, Proficient and Exceeding. It is important to note that this system does not always account for whether a student is an English Language Learner or faces specific literacy or learning challenges. These students may end up feeling that they are stuck on Emerging or Developing. The key thing to think about here is Progress; we know that not all students start from the same point or progress at the same rate, but it is important they are progressing.
To gain a clear understanding of your child's progress, please refer to their Attitude to Learning grades, written reports which detail their strengths and areas for development, and any specific support plans in place, such as those for literacy or numeracy. You are always welcome to talk to our teachers to fully understand your child’s unique journey.
Summer Tournament Week
Our students have represented HVHS with incredible pride and talent over the last few weeks. Our athletes competed across the country with outstanding results including the Ultimate Frisbee Girls' Team winning the national title, and achieving back to back national title wins, and our medalists at the recent North Island Secondary Schools Athletics Championships - Anna Green (10WSLN), Ben Kimber (12FE), Hudson Thom (9GERA), Jacob Williams (11GS), and Leo Hyink (11GS).
Images: HVHS teams at Summer Tournament Week.
Our Generous Community - The Non-Uniform Day's Foodbank Drive
A huge, heartfelt thank you to our entire school community for your incredible generosity during our recent Non-Uniform Day appeal. Together, we donated over 1,500 cans for the Lower Hutt Foodbank.
There is a specific kind of "warm glow" that comes from collective giving. In a world that often feels individualistic, seeing our students pile up crates of food for families they may never meet is a powerful reminder of our school values. That feeling of contribution, of being part of something bigger than ourselves, is exactly the kind of "soft skill" and character we strive to build here at HVHS. Well done to our student leaders who put this ‘drive’ together.
Image below: Left to right - Year 13 students, Gus Neilson, Jaxon Cowan, Margret Vaiouga (Service Coordinator, Lower Hutt Foodbank), Tom Delaney, Izzy Fogarty, Tristan Hotter & Kaitoro Walker.
Students met with the educator Esme Dawson, who guided them through the collections and introduced them to interesting artefacts, objects, and significant taonga. Students were able to draw and take photographs of what they saw for use in their own artworks back at school.
- by Cooper Gibbs (11SA)
Recently my class and I went to the Wairarapa to visit some interesting locations to do some research. Today I am writing my review of the recent Year 11 Geography trip. Overall, the trip gave us really great insight and helped connect what we’ve been learning in class to real world examples.
One of the highlights for me was visiting Lightyears Solar's Waingawa Solar Farm (pictured below). It was interesting to see how renewable energy is produced on a large scale and to learn about the benefits and challenges of solar power in New Zealand. This visit made the concept of sustainable energy much more practical and easier to understand.
The visit to Juno Olives was also really interesting, especially in understanding how local conditions support olive production and how businesses adapt to their environment. It was a good example of how land use varies depending on geographic factors.
Lastly, we visited the proposed site for Far North Solar Farm's new development, located south west of Greytown. This gave a good insight into future land use planning and sustainability. It was interesting to consider the possible environmental and economic impacts of such a development.
Overall, the trip was well thought out and very helpful to us in learning to understand how the geographical features of land alter the possible use of that land. It helped reinforce key geographic concepts such as environmental factors, land use, and the interaction between people and the environment.
Handball
Last December, Charlie Edhouse (12NI) trialled and was named in the New Zealand Woman’s Beach Handball Team. The team recently competed at the Oceania Championships in Christchurch. After the first day of competition there was a 3-way tie between New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands, but unfortunately on a count back, the New Zealand Team were bumped into the playoff for 3rd/4th. The New Zealand Team finished strong with placing 3rd overall.
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
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.
The Resource Centre is closed during the school holiday period and will re‑open on Monday, 20 April. From the start of Term 2, the Resource Centre will resume its term‑time opening hours: 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.
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