HVHS Newsletter
Week 7, Term 1 - Friday 15 March, 2024
Principal's Update
Kia ora koutou,
Over halfway through term one, many exciting events and activities have happened, and many more are to come. Hundreds of students have signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, which is exciting. Students can still contact Sarah Coales if this is something they would like to do. As explained at the parent's meeting, it is a qualification that demonstrates a student's stickability, perseverance, and service-mindedness. These are all things employers want to know, so the qualification makes a wonderful addition to any CV.
On Wednesday, students donated over a thousand cans of food to the Lower Hutt Foodbank. Two Te Awakairangi students, Leah Flowers (13LG) and Kendra Anderson (13AL) and our service leaders, Toby Burton-Wood (13JD) and Xaveria Xu (13JD), supported by the Service Council, coordinated the collection. This is a simple and kind way for our school to support others in our community.
Most students have settled into their learning and are participating well. It can be tricky to know what’s happening across, sometimes eight different subjects as a parent and caregiver. The fortnightly Attitude to Learning reports inform you about your child’s effort and attitude. If they're regularly getting 3s and have attendance at over 90%, be proud of their efforts - they are doing well. If there is the odd 2 - that’s okay, but there is room for some added oomph. If your child is getting 1s or has poor attendance, at under 80%, then you must contact us and discuss what is happening. If students are not here and are not putting much effort into their learning, they will find it challenging to succeed, and we will find it even more challenging to support them.
Winter sport is underway with trials across numerous codes. We rely on the goodwill of our volunteer army of parents and caregivers to offer such an extensive programme. It is disappointing that we get one or two complaints about selections. Most parents volunteer because they believe in helping their community and because they have the skills and experience to share.
No selector - not even for the All Blacks or Silver Ferns gets selections 100% correct 100% of the time. I’ve coached for too many years to count, and I know that I have gotten selections spot-on some years and not quite right in other years. The advice I gave my trialists was that if they were ever disappointed in their placements, they needed to take it on the chin and then go out and prove the selectors wrong instead of accusing them of bias. Top sportspeople shine no matter the team they are in. Top sports people placed in the wrong team will make their way up to higher teams during the season because they will be seen.
I can’t thank our wonderful volunteer parents and sports helpers enough.
Ngā mihi nui,
Denise Johnson, Principal
Auditions for the HVHS Musical - Sweet Dreams!
In term three of this year, we will be performing the musical Sweet Dreams. We need actors, singers, dancers, musicians and combinations thereof. Auditions are open to all year levels.
For your calendar, the key dates are:
- Wednesday 20 March - Audition Meeting, Interval (11:00am) in the Hall
- Monday 25 March - Singing Audition, Lunchtime (1:30pm) in S1
- Tuesday 26 March - Dance Audition, Lunchtime (1:30pm) in S1
- Thursday 28 March - Drama Audition, Lunchtime (1:30pm) in S1
At this Wednesday's Audition Meeting students will learn about the roles available in Sweet Dreams, the time commitments required, the format of the auditions and the audition script for the Drama Audition.
For any questions, please email Bernard Beckett at bernard.beckett@hvhs.school.nz
Itinerant Music Programme
Music Department is whirring with the sounds of so many keen instrument players and vocalists participating in itinerant music lessons.
Vocal Ensemble and Barbershop Chorus has seen an influx of committed singers this year which is fantastic. These groups run before and after school on a Wednesday in M1.
String Ensemble has an abundance of keen players and a wonderful sound is developing early in the year already. This group is welcoming new members and rehearses on Thursday lunchtime in M1.
Currently, there are spaces in flute, violin, viola, trumpet, clarinet and saxophone lessons at present. There is no charge for lessons, only instrument hire costs $100 per year. Students taking lessons are required to participate in a school music ensemble.
There are waiting lists for popular instrument lessons; guitar, bass and drums. Students are welcome to participate, and learn technique and repertoire in Junior Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band while waiting for a place in a lesson later this term or next.
Please see the Music Timetable for times and rehearsal venues by clicking here
For junior students it is a great way to get to know more musically minded students in our school, find new friends and rehearse towards a public performance or event.
Senior students, for some this will be the last opportunity to participate in a music group so I encourage you all to give it a go and come along to one of our all comers groups.
For any questions on the Itinerant Music Programme please email Jhan Lindsay at jhan.lindsay@hvhs.school.nz
Piano Stool Donations
Do you have a piano stool you would like to donate to our Music Department? We need a few solid and tidy piano stools for our practice rooms. Please contact with Jhan Lindsay at jhan.lindsay@hvhs.school.nz if you're able to help.
Amnesty for HVHS Hire Instruments!
Is there a long-lost trombone under the stairs? A violin in the attic? Or an alto saxophone longing to come back home to the Music Department store room? If you have a hire instrument from HVHS from years past that has not been returned until now, please drop it to the School Office no questions asked.
The School Office is open from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday during term time.
Relief Teachers Wanted
We are seeking more relief teachers to join Hutt Valley High School’s relief teacher pool. If you’re currently a registered secondary school teacher looking for casual work please contact Deputy Principal, Fiona Pearson at fiona.pearson@hvhs.school.nz to learn more and to discuss your availability.
If you’re an experienced sports coach interested in taking relief PE classes please also contact Fiona Pearson at fiona.pearson@hvhs.school.nz to discuss this opportunity.
Haka Training for HVHS Sports Teams
Compulsory haka training for all rugby players. This haka training is open to all students and staff.
Haka training starts this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the Lower Gym at lunchtime running till the end of Term One.
We are immensely proud of Moe Araara, our school's haka and all rugby players must learn it and know how to perform it with their teammates. These trainings are also open to all staff and students - everyone is welcome.
For any questions, please contact Deputy Principal, Grace Wright at grace.wright@hvhs.school.nz
Image: The HVHS Boys 1st XI Rugby (2023) performing our school's haka with Faenza Snowden pictured in the centre.
2024 Student Portraits & Composite Class Photos
Student's portrait and composite class photos are now ready to view and purchase. Please see the email sent today (Wed 13 March) for your website link , username & password.
If you didn't receive the email please contact the Office at office@hvhs.school.nz and we'll resend it. Thank you to the awesome team at INphotography "IN it with you" for the great images of our students.
News from the Sports Office
Congratulations to the following students:
- Blake Taylor (11WD) and Kaitoro Walker (11MO) who competed at the New Zealand Rowing Championships in the Men’s Novice 8 and placed 2nd overall.
- Morgan McKeown (11KT) competed at the Wellington Schools Regatta in Sailing. Morgan competes in the Laser Radial Fleet and placed 3rd
- Lucas Holm (10KRKO) competed at the Wellington Schools Regatta in Sailing placing 3rd in the Optimist Open Fleet event.
- Cameron Johns (10FYBB) competed at the Wellington Schools Regatta in Sailing placing 6th in the Starling Fleet event.
- Aurora McKeown (9ICLI) competed in the Sunburst Fleet event at the Wellington Schools Regatta in Sailing and placed 1st.
- Jacob Williams (9GSSP) in the College Sport Wellington Athletics Qualifier came 1st in both the 3000m race with a time of 9:24 and the 1500m race breaking College Sports Wellington records in both events! Jacob also placed 1st in Discuss with a Personal Best (PB) performance. Jacob has also been awarded the Top Performing Athlete Trophy for the interclub season for the Wellington Athletics Club Championships.
Wellington Dragon Boating Festival
Well done to our HVHS teams, our Mixed Dragon Boating Team came 3rd in their grade at the Wellington Dragon Boating Festival and our Girls' Dragon Boating Teams also competed strongly against tough competition. It was an enjoyable day and lots of fun for our Year 13 students.
Hockey Trials
Hockey trails are this Monday (18 March) and Monday 25 March at Fraser Park. On both Mondays, the Boys Hockey Trial is from 4:00-5:00pm and the Girls Trial from 5:00-6:00pm. Students need to arrive at least 15 minutes before the trial starts. Students are to bring their hockey stick, mouth guard, shin pads and a water bottle.
HVHS Girls Cricket 1st XI Team vs Wanderers
Batting first the HVHS Girls 1st XI Cricket Team scored 79/8 in 20 overs. In response, The Wanderers reached 80 runs in 13.1 overs with 1 down to win the game. Our team had a terrific time meeting new cricketers from around the region and a good hit out before the Gillette Venus Cup Qualifying Tournament next week.
HVHS Boys Cricket 1st XI Team vs Wanderers
The Wanderers opened the batting, scoring 151/5. In response, Captain Riley Keatley (12NB) scored an excellent 39 runs off 34 balls and Daniel Kajendraseelan (13EV) also contributed strongly with 28 runs off 25 balls. In a close match, the Wanderers won by just 9 runs.
Image: HVHS Boys & Girls 1st XI Cricket Teams with the Wanderers.
SNAP - Thank You to Our Local Businesses
The SNAP (Sustainable Networks and Pathways) programme for our senior students based in Tautoko (Supported Learning Centre), would like to thank the following local businesses who are providing work experience placements this year:
- Buzz Cafe
- Days Bay Pavilion
- Enliven, Woburn Home
- Golf Warehouse
- Muffin Break
- Salvation Army Store - Lower Hutt
- Woburn Masonic Village
We are always seeking more opportunities for our students to gain some workplace experience. If you can help, please contact Heather Lear (Head of Tautoko) at heather.lear@hvhs.school.nz
International Women's Day Breakfast
The Zonta Club of Wellington invited their biggest audience of Wellington schools yet to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024. The event spotlights important issues for women and girls and features fantastic guest speakers.
Principal, Denise Johnson attended the event with three of our student leaders - Tara Randall (13JD), Allison Kydd (13JD) and Xaviera Xu (13JD). If you'd like to learn more you can view the event on YouTube by clicking here
Image: From the Zonta Club, a group photo from the International Women's Day Breakfast event.
Photos from Art Folio Exhibition
Helping Students with Donations of Kai
Every year we see a number of students who are coming to school who haven't had breakfast and are without kai for the day. This year is no exception. Some of the charities that have provided support for students in the past are no longer able to provide this service and we are reaching out to our school community to see if this is something you as a whānau would like to help with.
Donations of grab-and-go foods such as muesli bars, spreads for sandwiches or anything that fills a hungry tummy would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the School Office, Monday to Friday from 8:00am - 4:00pm during term time.
Please contact Claire Ross, Head of Wellbeing at (claire.ross@hvhs.school.nz ) if you would like to help.
Peter Bidwell's 100 Year History of HVHS
We are fortunate to have former journalist and published author Peter Bidwell researching and documenting our school's history ahead of our school's Centennial in 2026.
Peter is editing a Yearbook publication documenting our people and their stories and would appreciate help in these areas:
- HVHS students, teachers and support staff from the World War 11 era (1939-1945)
- Alumni who attended/worked at HVHS from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s
- Stories from our diverse communities throughout HVHS's 98-year history.
Peter is passionate about capturing these stories, images, and materials before they are lost. If you can help Peter, please email him at pbidwell@xtra.co.nz. Please include your phone details, as Peter is happy to call. You can also find Peter coaching on the sidelines of the HVHS Boys 2nd Cricket Team.
Thank you to the many alumni who have already emailed and spoken with Peter. It's a big project Peter is undertaking, and your support is greatly appreciated.
Image: Foundation students outside HVHS in 1926.
Resource Centre (Uniform Shop) Opening Hours
School Uniform Donations
We're currently running low on donated uniforms. If your student has outgrown their uniform or no longer needs it, please consider donating it back to HVHS. We'll ensure it is passed on to a student who needs it or loaned to a student who needs a replacement uniform item for a couple of days.
Any uniform items you'd like to donate can be dropped at the School Office at HVHS. The Office is open 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday during term time only.
Download Our New App - SchoolBridge
We've changed to a new school app called SchoolBridge. Downloading the new SchoolBridge app will help keep you informed with alerts & notifications. Parents/caregivers can also report a student's absence using the app, and students can use the app to access their student ID card.
Download the new SchoolBridge App by searching for 'SchoolBridge' on the App Store or Google Play. If you need more information on signing in for the first time, please click here
Helpful hint for parents and caregivers - if you have more than one student at HVHS, please remember to select the correct one when using the app to report a student's absence.
HVHS Calendar - Key Dates & Events
Monday 18 March
- NZ Secondary Schools Summer Sports Tournament Week (runs till Fri 22 Mar)
- Charity Fundraising Week
Tuesday 19 March
- Suginami High School Exchange (runs till Tuesday 26 March)
Wednesday 20 March
- HVHS Board Meeting, Staffroom, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Thursday 21 March
- Excellence Evening, 6:00pm-7:30pm, School Hall
Friday 29 March
- Good Friday (public holiday, school closed)
Monday 1 April
- Easter Monday (public holiday, school closed)
- Easter Tuesday (school holiday, school closed)
Thursday 4 April
- Otago University Introduction Presentation, 1:30pm
- Kids Online Cyber Safety Presentation, School Hall, 7-9pm
Friday 12 April
- Diversity Day Concert
- Last Day of Term One
Monday 29 April
- First Day of Term Two
Wednesday 8 May
- Learning Conversations for Years 9 & 10 (all year levels learning from home)
- HVHS Board Meeting, Staffroom, 5:30pm-7:30pm
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