Kia ora koutou,

What an incredible few weeks it has been for our talented students in the performing arts and on the sports field!

Tangata Beats – Pasifika Love
A huge congratulations to Hoana Hori-Hohepa (12WD), Hadassah Vailepa (12WL), Wade Ronson (13RI), Wayneramon Milo (12TW), David Bryce (12LE), and Kariah Perez (12AN) for their stunning performance at Tangata Beats. This powerful collaboration was born out of the senior performance music class under the guidance of Grace Wright, and their performance was packed with pride, passion, and Pasifika excellence. For some of these students, this was their very first time performing live - and in some cases, the first time they even realised the depth of their talent.

Through this experience, they haven’t just gained confidence and stage presence, but also credits toward their NCEA Music Performance standard. The learning, the courage, and the sense of achievement will carry them far. These students are now working on a video submission to be considered for the National Finals - ka rawe!

Smokefree Rockquest Regional Finals
We’re also cheering on our bands Stained Glass andTriple01, who are both through to the Smokefree Rockquest Regional Finals, being held on Saturday 28 June at Sacred Heart College. The bands are:

• Stained Glass, Natalie Logan (13GE), Georgia Rogers (13SB), Daisy Fletcher (13GE), Bella Drummond (13GE), Alexandra Rodger (13SM), Hannah Widrig (13GE), and Arnawa Weerakkody (12WL)
• Triple01, featuring Nicholas McKenzie (10MTMR), Jesse Want (11HR), and students from Wellington College and Whitby Collegiate.

All of our bands performed well at the heats, representing HVHS with talent, commitment, and pride. Thank you to everyone who supported them, from rehearsals through to the stage. Your encouragement made a real difference to their journey.

Image: Stained Glass, taken by Andrea Rogers

Cross Country National Champions!

Meanwhile, up in Whangārei, our Cross Country team made their mark on the national stage. Our U16 boys are now officially the 3-Person Team, National Champions - a phenomenal effort and a well-deserved title for Finnigan Strickland (10GSSP), Leo Hyink (10GSSP) and Jacob Williams (10GSSP)!

Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 11-13

Thank you to all the whānau and parents who engaged with our recent parent-teacher interviews for students in Years 11-13. We all know that learning is most successful when challenges are tackled together. We also know how hard it can be to support your teenager’s learning when you’re not sure what’s going on - and let’s be honest, they don’t always pass on every detail. Your involvement makes a real difference, and we truly appreciate your time, care, and commitment.

He Wā Whakamahara – A Time to Reflect and Reconnect

As we approach Matariki, our Māori Student Leader 2025, Māia Waldergrave (13JD), has been gently reminding us that this time is more than just a day off - it’s an opportunity to reflect, remember, and reconnect. Matariki invites us to pause and honour those who have passed, to celebrate the present with those around us, and to look ahead with hope and intention.

This Matariki, I’ll be spending time with friends and whānau, and also taking a quiet moment to remember my Dad, always with a smile as I think back on one of his many legendary escapades. This will also be my last newsletter for a little while, as I prepare to step away on sabbatical during Term 3. In the spirit of Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the Matariki star connected to setting dreams and goals for the future, I’ll be using this time to learn, reflect, and return with fresh ideas for our kura.

While I’m away, HVHS will be in the incredibly safe, caring, and capable hands of Deputy Principals Tim Fox and Fiona Pearson, who will lead the school together. I know the place will continue to thrive under their guidance.

Wishing all our HVHS whānau a meaningful and restful Matariki. Mā te wā, ngā mihi o Matariki ki a koutou.

Ngā mihi nui,

Denise Johnson, Principal | Tumuaki

Six Year 11 students attended the Mahi Exposure Day at Hutt Hospital on Friday, 13 June. The event is designed to give Māori and Pasifika students insight into a range of careers in health care.

Students took part in interactive sessions led by representatives from Occupational Health, Mental Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Speech and Language Therapy, and Radiation Therapy.

Students who attended the event were Isabelle Collins (11TI), Ashley McHenry (11SK), Sasha Peters (11TI), Riley Wirihana (11TI), Lily Pua (11PC), and Mere Mepham (11WE), who is pictured working with Lisa, a nurse at Hutt Hospital, during a resuscitation scenario.

Congratulations to Caitlin Kruger (11WE) and Frankie Rangiwahia (9ADSB) who won the Poster Competition held for Languages Week in the two categories: handmade and digital. They both produced beautiful and creative posters that encourage everyone to learn a new language!

On Friday, 13 June two teams of Year 10 students studying Japanese entered the NZ Schools Japanese Trivia Night competition. This is a competition where students from around the whole of New Zealand gather in regions and complete a quiz about Japan. This included sections on Japan's Festival, Geography, Pop-Culture, Food and Sports.

Our two teams competed well and ended up in a tie for 3rd place! Representing our school in HVHS Team 1 were James Beaton (10TUTS), Campbell Walls (10SATO), Lucas Sanford (10MYDO) and Lachie McColl (10SRPD). In HVHS Team 2, Kavya Chadda, Suhaila Ameerudeen, Lily Zhou and Clara Shin (all from 10MYDO) also won the best Costume prize! Congratulations! おめであとうございます！

On Wednesday 4 June, Volante Vocal Ensemble - 22 student singers, director Ruth Armishaw and accompanist, Nicholas Kovacev, attended The Big Sing's Wellington Regional at the Michael Fowler Centre.

In the weeks leading up to the competition, we held two extra half-day rehearsals to lift our set to The Big Sing standard. We also had the chance to test out two pieces during the Year 9 and 10 assemblies the week before the event.

Our daytime competition set included three contrasting songs: Rise and Shine (Spiritual/Gospel), Pūrerehua (Waiata Māori), and Route 66 (Jazz). That evening, we stayed for the Gala Concert, where all 22 choirs from the day performed their favourite piece from their set. We chose Route 66 for its showy choreographed nature.

The students all represented our school with great attitudes and style on and off the stage, bringing a wonderful cohesive team spirit that we are very proud of.

We hope that, as it did from 2024 to 2025, the buzz of being part of the Big Sing brings these choir members back for 2026, and brings all their friends and classmates with them. In fact, why wait? Volante is an all comers choir, so no auditions are necessary. Now that the competition is done, we are accepting new members again. We rehearse Wednesdays 8:25am-9:25am in M1.

For any questions about the Volante Vocal Ensemble, please email Ruth Armishaw at ruth.armishaw@hvhs.school.nz

As part of the Kia Mau Festival, our Year 11 and 12 Te Ao Haka students attended KA MUA KA MURI, a powerful double bill by Atamira Dance Company. The contemporary Māori dance performance explored whakapapa, identity, and te ao Māori through high-energy, emotionally resonant choreography. Experiences like this inspire creativity, build performance confidence, and affirm for our ākonga that their stories belong on every stage.

Our Te Ao Haka students also had the honour of performing at a Matariki celebration hosted by Hutt City Council at the Lower Hutt War Memorial Library. Marking the rise of Matariki and the beginning of the Māori New Year, this event provided our ākonga with the opportunity to continue growing in confidence as they proudly build their performance experience and give back to the community through haka and waiata.

- by Hayley Knights (Head of Social Sciences Learning Area)

The Social Sciences Learning Area includes Social Studies in Years 9 and 10. In the senior school, students can choose from a range of subjects, including Accounting, Business Studies, Classical Studies, Economics, Geography, History, and Tourism. Below is a snapshot of the learning taking place across our classes, with a focus on EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom).

Year 13 Geography & Tourism Trip to Rotorua

This year’s research focused on the question: To what extent do tourism experiences in Rotorua incorporate Mātauranga Māori narratives? As always, there was friendly competition on the luge track and plenty of epic natural attractions to admire.

Spotlight on Year 12 Geography

This year’s journey across the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing was anything but ordinary. With sideways rain, biting winds, and low visibility, the scenery may have been hidden, but the spirit of adventure was not. Students trudged through the rugged Mangatepopo Valley, climbed over the Red Crater, and descended past the famed (but fog-shrouded) emerald lakes with admirable determination.

Despite the lack of postcard-worthy panoramas, this year’s team earned something far more lasting — a sense of achievement and resilience forged on a trail few get to experience in such testing conditions. A true testament to perseverance in the face of nature's challenges.

Pictured below: Left - Gathering data while battling wind and rain at 1,200 metres. Right - 100% fog, 30% visibility, and 110% effort.

Spotlight on Year 12 History

Students (pictured below) are learning about the Taranaki Wars 1860-1872 and learnt about Pratt's Sap, a siege technique used during the Taranaki Wars.

Spotlight on Year 11 History

Students learned about vehicles used in the New Zealand army including these Scorpion and Sherman tanks at the National Army Museum in Waiouru.

Spotlight on Year 11 Classics

Students working on Aotearoa's Next Top Mummy as they consider Hollywood's portrayal versus the historical reality.

Spotlight on Year 11 Economics

Students visited Woodhaven Gardens in Levin to provide a rural perspective. This visit included seeing and hearing about the impacts of Woodhaven Gardens on the local economy through the same lens of the labour market and unemployment.

Pictured below: students learning about resource utilisation in a farm, from the team at Woodhaven Gardens, in Levin.

Spotlight on Year 11 Geography

Students focused on a decision-making task, collecting information from different perspectives on the topic: ‘Harvesting the power of nature - Sunshine, Grapes or Olives?’.

Pictured below: Left - soil profile on Te Muna Road. Right - Team Geo!

For any questions on the Social Sciences Learning Area, please feel free to contact me at hayley.knights@hvhs.school.nz.

Rosa Watt (13NB) was selected to exhibit her work in the recent Artstart exhibition at the James Blackie Gallery. Her work was chosen from a nationwide pool of 6,500 students, with only 40 selected to exhibit at the Wellington event. Artstart offers a springboard for talented secondary school artists to showcase their work and gain experience exhibiting professionally.

Rosa’s fish paintings, created using a combination of watercolour and gouache, were well received. Three of her four pieces sold on opening night, along with several prints.

We warmly invite our school community to attend the HVHS Market Evening on Wednesday 17 September (Term 3, Week 10) from 4:00pm – 6:30pm in the school hall.

Our students are currently working hard on their products and would really appreciate your feedback to help refine their ideas and ensure they’re creating items our community would be excited to purchase.

If you have a few minutes, please help our students by filling out one or more of the surveys below in areas that interest you. To see more of the products being developed and marketed, follow our new Instagram page @hvhs_business_studies for features, updates, and details leading up to Market Evening.

Botanique - Self-watering plant pot

Carry It Home - Tote bags from recycled materials

Dubai Delights - Chocolate

Element - Natural & organic soap

Fizz & Bliss - Bath bombs

Flavours of East - Afghani Shawarma & Indian Gulab Jamun

Fun Spoons - Edible dessert spoons

Gain on the Go - Smoothie with protein option

Glossy Essence - Lip oil and roll-on perfume

Pocket Peace - Wellness kit

Purely Lemon - Lemonade

SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB - Body and lip sugar scrubs

Shelly n Co. - Shell themed bracelets and necklaces

Stinky Scents - Scented candles

Summer Essentials - Henna, temporary tattoos & hair tinsel

Sweet Sugar Scrubs - Body scrubs

Toi Rākau - Māori inspired wooden household items

Whip & Co. - Whipped body butter

A bunch of absolute HVHS legends have already put their hands up and their hair on the line to help raise money and support Kiwis impacted by blood cancer. You can join the HVHS Team too by shaving for a cure or supporting someone who is by making a donation.

If you're ready to go bald for a good cause, and support something bigger than your locks, see Mr Banks in the Maths Office (V15). Permission slips need to be completed by Wednesday, 25 June.

The big event will take place in the hall at lunchtime on Thursday, 26 June, where the HVHS Team will be saying goodbye to their hair. Entry is by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to Shave for a Cure. One lucky student will even get the chance to shave a teacher's head first!

At the time of writing, the HVHS Team has raised an impressive $6,664. By shaving or donating, you'll help fund life-saving research and provide vital care and support for people living with blood cancer in Aotearoa.

Congratulations to the Tautoko - Supported Learning Centre Futsal team who won the First Division trophy at the College Sport Athletes With Disabilities tournament at Hutt Indoor Sports Centre. Our team had been playing against other local schools over a six week period, to reach the finals.

In the final game, they played against Wainui High with the final score 5-3. Wainui had been the hot favourites to win but on the day, our team dug deep, strengthened their defence, and played amazingly well together. A special mention to team managers Steph and Kelly who had supported and motivated the team to success.

Exciting news, the 2025 Ngarimu Video and Waiata Composition Competitions are open for submissions! These fantastic competitions are an opportunity for ākonga Māori in Years 7-13 to express their creativity and honour the legacy of Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and the 28th (Māori) Battalion through short films and waiata. It’s a beautiful kaupapa that connects our young people with their whakapapa, their history, and their voices.

Entries can be solo, team or kura-based and close on Sunday 3 August 2025. There are two prize categories: English or bilingual, and te reo Māori. For full details, including the four themes that participants can choose from, tips and judging criteria, visit the Ministry of Education's website.

On Saturday, 24 May, Teram Manze (10GSSP) and Merak Manze (11TI) participated in the annual Wellington 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competition, which showcases students’ Chinese language skills.

Teram won first place in the junior category, and Merak received the Most Inspiring Speech Award in the senior category. This was their second time competing, and we look forward to their continued success.

Image (L-R): Teram Manze (10GSSP) & Merak Manze (11TI)

The HVHS Underwater Hockey teams competed at the Centrals Competition at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre from 6-8 June, with our Junior Girls placing 4th, Senior Open placing 5th, and the Junior Open placing 7th.

The following students have been selected for the Central Zones U18 Underwater Hockey Trials based on their performances at the tournament:

• Junior Open - Lucas Sanford (10MYDO)
• Senior Open - Sarah Bradford (11VY), Henrik Collins (11TT), Ila Gould (12PL), Névė Groom (12KT), Morgan McKeown (12KT), Ali Rahman (13DR), Zach Rodgers (12KG) and Georgia Rogers (13SB).

Thank you to the coaches, team managers, James Davies, Malina Stuart, Lesley Gould, and Sammi Cowden, for their efforts supporting our Underwater Hockey Teams at this tournament.

College Sport Wellington Swimming Championships

Six HVHS students competed in the swimming competition last week. Well done to each of them for representing HVHS and producing such amazing results in the pool, including:

• Boys & Girls 15 & Over Events
• 50m Butterfly - 1st Kayne Howat (11MS) & 8th Olly Goodfellow (12BR)
• 50m Backstroke - 3rd Kayne Howat (11MS) & 4th Millie Sampson (13SM)
• 200m Freestyle - 5th Kayne Howat (11MS)
• 50m Breaststroke - 5th Olly Goodfellow (12BR) & 4th Millie Sampson (13SM)
• 100m Butterfly - 2nd Kayne Howat (11MS) & 2nd Hannah Sampson (11VY)
• 50m Freestyle - 2nd Kayne Howat (11MS) & 8th Olly Goodfellow (12BR)
• 100m Individual Medley - 2nd Hannah Sampson (11VY) & 6th Millie Sampson (13SM)
• Girls 14 & Over Events
• 100m Breaststroke - 4th Oxie Taylor (11NI)
• 50m Breaststroke - 6th Oxie Taylor (11NI)
• 50m Freestyle - 16th Oxie Taylor (11NI)
• Boys 14 & Under Events
• 100m Breaststroke - 1st Desmond Lin (10PUPF)
• 50m Breaststroke - 2nd Desmond Lin (10PUPF)

Hannah Sampson (11VY) has been selected to represent New Zealand in the Youth Development Team (Swimming) for the 2025 Tri Series in July in Melbourne. The Tri Series sees two New Zealand teams battle it out against two Australian states, Victoria and Western Australia. We also wish Hannah and Millie Sampson (13SM) the best of luck as they prepare to compete at the New Zealand Swimming Championships in July.

Cross Country Nationals

Last weekend, nine HVHS students attended the Cross Country Nationals in Whangārei. Performing admirably on day one of the competition. On day two, many of our athletes also represented Wellington in the Relays competition, bring home even more hardware! Check out the fantastic results below:

• Anna Green (9FTWS) - Year 9 Girls - Individual 36th, Wellington Girls Relay SILVER
• Jacob Williams (10GSSP) - Junior Boys - Individual SILVER, TEAMS CHAMPION, Wellington Boys Relay SILVER
• Leo Hyink (10GSSP) - Junior Boys - Individual 5th, TEAMS CHAMPION, Wellington Boys Relay SILVER
• Finnigan Strickland (10GSSP) - Junior Boys - Individual 8th, TEAMS CHAMPION, Wellington Boys Relay SILVER
• Ben Kimber (11TT) - Senior Boys - Individual 33rd and 11th U17, Wellington Mixed Relay BRONZE
• Toby Ireland (13CS) - Senior Boys Para - Individual 2nd, First Physical Disability
• Jessie McKenzie (13ST) - Senior Girls - Individual 23rd, Wellington Girls Relay 5th
• Eva Green (13LR) - Senior Girls - Individual 57th, Wellington Girls 'B' Relay 8th
• Noah McNeill (13CS) - Senior Boys - Individual 131st

Central Regional Junior Teams Badminton Championships

Congratulations to Darren Leishman (13JD), Aaron Chong (13JD) and Sravya Moparthi (12AL), who were part of the Hutt Valley U19 Division 1 Badminton team that won the Central Regional Juniors Teams Championships in Palmerston North over the weekend.

Congratulations to Mia Pinkerton (11WE), who has earned the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award - a recognition of commitment to community service, learning a new skill, regular physical activity, and outdoor challenge.

Participant Assistance Fund

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is open to all students who wish to participate. For students and families who may find the costs associated with the programme challenging, there is a Participant Assistance Fund set up to:

• Provide support for participants whose enrolment fee may be a barrier.

• Offer limited support, on a case-by-case basis, for the Adventurous Journey.

• In some cases, assist with other costs to help participants complete their Award.
  
  

All applications for financial assistance must be made by the student’s Award Unit Leader (Sarah Coales - Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator at HVHS). Please contact Sarah for help at sarah.coales@hvhs.school.nz

Now is the time when our Year 13 students begin applying for university scholarships. For parents and caregivers new to the scholarship application process, HVHS has a step-by-step system that students follow. As always, the place to find all information is the Year 13 Google Classroom.

Rebecca Feerick (Gifted & Talented Coordinator/English Teacher) is also available to support students. Her office is in the Deans' Area, and students are welcome to drop in. Rebecca can also be contacted by email at rebecca.feerick@hvhs.school.nz

Link - HVHS Scholarship - Step by Step Process 2025

A friendly reminder to our Year 8 families - enrolments for 2026 are now open for both in-zone and out-of-zone students. We encourage families to enrol early, as this helps us plan for your student’s learning needs and ensures your Year 8 student will be in the first group to receive subject selection information (many subjects have limited spaces).

To complete the online enrolment form and to learn more about the key enrolment deadlines, please click this link - https://hvhs.school.nz/how-to-enrol/

We're looking for reader/writers to assist students with learning differences and disabilities during their exams and assessments. As a reader/writer you’ll get the satisfaction of helping support students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, physical disability or a sports injury to their writing hand!

We’re looking for volunteers with clear spoken English, good reading skills, and either good handwriting or the computer skills to quickly type answers and navigate around an online exam. Training will be provided, and acceptance is subject to a satisfactory Police check.

What’s involved? Volunteers are needed at HVHS during school hours, especially in September for year 10 & 11 literacy and numeracy assessments and from October to December for end-of-year assessments. A reader/writer might help for 2-3 hours each term or up to 10 exams a year. We’ll match your availability and willingness to our student’s schedules. You can also say no if a day/date doesn’t suit you. Contact Raewyn at (04) 566 4584 or raewyn.kerr@hvhs.school.nz to learn more.

Current students aren't able to volunteer as reader/writer at HVHS, but we appreciate your kind offers!

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.

We currently have a shortage of school skirts and black school shoes to support students whose families are experiencing financial hardship. These items are also loaned to students who need a uniform for the day due to unexpected issues like mud, paint, or other mishaps.

If your student has grown out of their uniform or no longer needs it, please consider donating it back to HVHS. Donations can be dropped off at the School Office, Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm during term time.

Another way to help: donating vouchers to Number One Shoes/Hannahs is a fantastic way to contribute, allowing us to buy shoes for students when needed. If you can help, please contact Grace Wright (Deputy Principal) at grace.wright@hvhs.school.nz.

Each year, we see students arriving at school who haven't had breakfast and are without kai for the day, and this year is no exception. Unfortunately, some of the charities that previously provided support are no longer able to do so. As a result, we are reaching out to our school community to see if whānau can help.

Donations of spreads for sandwiches, grab-and-go foods such as muesli bars and food items students can easily put in their school bags would be greatly appreciated. If you’re unsure what to donate, grocery vouchers are also a fantastic way to contribute. If you’d like to help, please contact Claire Ross (Head of Wellbeing) at claire.ross@hvhs.school.nz

The Resource Centre is open Monday to Thursday, 11:00am to 2:30pm, during term time only. The Resource Centre will be closed during the school holidays and will re-open on Monday 14 July.

Come along and support our talented tamariki as they take the stage at HuttFest next week, a celebration of culture and performance from schools across the Hutt Valley.

📅 Friday 27 June - College Show 2
🕕 6:00pm-8:30pm
📍 Walter Nash Centre

Tickets are available online by clicking here – don’t miss out!

Friday 20 June

• Matariki (Public Holiday, School Closed)

Wednesday 25 June

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

Thursday 26 June

• Shave for the Cure Event - Goodbye Locks, 1:30pm-2:15pm, Gold Coin Koha

Friday 27 June

• HuttFest, Walter Nash Centre, 6:00-8:30pm (see article above with info on purchasing tickets)
• Last Day of Term 2

Saturday 28 June

• Rockquest Finals, Sacred Heart College, Doors Open at 6:30pm, Tickets available at via Eventfinda or at the door on the night.

Monday 14 July

• First Day of Term 3

Tuesday 22 July

• Community Learning Hub Event, HVHS Staffroom, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Monday 28 July

• Year 12 Production (Class FY) runs this week

Monday 4 August

• Year 12 Production (Class WM), runs this week

Wednesday 6 August

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

Thursday 7 August

• Whānau Hui, 6:00-8:00pm

Friday 15 August

• 48 Hour Film Festival, runs till Sunday 17 August

Tuesday 19 August

• Winter Tournament Week, Coaches & Managers Meeting, 6:00pm-8:00pm
• Next Learning Hub Community Event, HVHS Staffroom, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Monday 25 August

• New Zealand Secondary Schools, Winter Tournament Week Begins, Runs till Friday 29 August

Wednesday 3 September

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

Wednesday 10 September

• Gateway Function, Petone Club, 7:00pm-8:30pm

Saturday 13 September

• Year 13 Ball, Starts 7:00pm

Tuesday 16 September

• Rugby & Hockey Awards, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Wednesday 17 September

• HVHS Market Evening, HVHS Hall, 4:30pm-6:30pm

Thursday 18 September

• Winter Sports Photos, All Day, HVHS Hall
• Premier Sports Awards, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Friday 19 September

• Last day of Term 3

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