HVHS Newsletter
Week 5, Term 1 - Friday 1 March, 2024
Principal's Update
Kia ora koutou, namaste, talofa, bonjour, hola, hello to parents, whānau and caregivers,
We’ve had a busy week at school, and I'm keen to share a few highlights and key messages with you.
At Wednesday's assembly, we presented badges to our Year 13 Liaison Leaders, SNAP Mentors, and our talented baristas who brighten our mornings with coffee. Along with our House Leaders and Student Leaders, they are doing a phenomenal job of leading and giving service to the school. They are super role models and have set a positive example for their peers.
Our discussions at the assembly focused on our school mottos - Ad Alta and Whāia te iti kahurangi. I encouraged our students to 'aim high and reach for the stars' and work hard to become their best selves. I emphasized the importance of being accountable - which means being responsible, reliable and learning from every experience.
On our Attitude to Learning reports, there are three levels - 3 (Expected and On Track), 2 (Mostly on Track) and 1 (Of Concern). The goal we've set for every student is to achieve 3s on their fortnightly Attitude to Learning reports, indicating that they are fully engaged in their learning. A 2 is fine, however, a 3 is much better! If your child has received a 1 - please have a conversation with them and help them work out what they can do to improve. A 1 indicates that their attitude and effort may impact their learning and achievement.
The end-of-year Ad Alta Awards are a special part of each year level prizegiving. Every student is capable of achieving an Ad Alta Award. The first time you receive the award you get a Bronze Ad Alta, the second year a silver, the third a gold and so on, until you receive the treasured pounamu taonga. These awards recognise:
- attendance because if you are not at school 90% of the time (at a minimum) you are missing learning opportunities
- attitude to learning because good effort in class matters
- participation in two activities because it shows a commitment to the school, your team, club or event.
How you can help - parents, caregivers, and whānau, your role is pivotal. Regularly reviewing the fortnightly Attitude to Learning reports with your child and discussing ways to enhance their effort is crucial. Participation in activities, whether sports or clubs, is another area where your encouragement and support can make a significant difference. Making attendance a priority is also key. Students who are in class, on time, learn and thrive.
Our NCEA Information Evening was a huge success, thanks to your participation. Understanding the complexities of the senior school assessment system is challenging. Many aspects have changed recently - and there are more changes to come. The website https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz gives you valuable information and is definitely worth a visit. Our Year 11 students are not completing a full NCEA Level 1 course this year - but instead are sitting a combination of school-based assessments, graded against the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) levels and one NCEA standard in each subject.
If students are achieving NZC Level 6 by the end of Year 11, and pass the six NCEA Achievement Standards they are offered - they will be well prepared for a full NCEA Level 2 course in Year 12. Our school provides multiple layers of support and oversight to ensure each student is on the right track. You will have the opportunity to meet your Year 11, 12, and 13 subject teachers in term two but can track progress on the portal until then. However, if you have concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child's mentor teacher or subject teachers sooner rather than later.
Thanks for supporting our students on their journey towards being their best selves. Your involvement and support are key to their success.
Ngā mihi nui,
Denise Johnson, Principal
Duke of Edinburgh Awards at HVHS - Information Evening, Wed 6 March, 6:15pm
HVHS is pleased to give students the opportunity to register and participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Hilary Award scheme.
Sarah Coales is the Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator at HVHS, she brings to this role a wealth of experience and knowledge having coordinated the Award at other colleges for years and is excited to kick start it at HVHS. Sarah will help HVHS 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.
This is an Internationally recognised award scheme that is held in very high regard. It is a valuable and worthwhile award scheme where individuals can be rewarded for all the activities they currently participate in.
Sarah is running an Information Evening on the Duke of Edinburgh Awards this Wednesday (6 March) in the HVHS Staffroom from 6:15pm - 7:15pm. This event is open to students, parents and caregivers.
If you have any questions please contact Sarah Coales at sarah.coales@hvhs.school.nz
Art Folio Exhibition, Thursday 7 March, 5:30pm-7:30pm
We're celebrating the artistic talents of our students this Thursday (7 March) with an Art Exhibition of NCEA Level 1 & 2 Design, Painting and Photography folios.
Students, parents, caregivers and whānau are invited to view the wonderful art on display and enjoy live music and light refreshments. For your calendars, the Art Exhibition is Thursday 7 March from 5:30-7:30pm in S1 at HVHS. If you're attending the event, there is limited parking available in the staff car park.
Term 1 Policy Reviews for Community Input
Hutt Valley High School follows a 3-year policy review schedule. This term the following policies are being reviewed: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Board Responsibility, Parent Involvement, Communicating with Parents, Community Conduct Expectations, Documentation and Self-Review, School Planning and Reporting, and Reporting to Parents on Student Progress and Achievement.
The School Board welcomes feedback and input from the school community on these policies. The close-off date for feedback is Thursday 14 March.
To read these policies go to https://www.schooldocs.co.nz/ click on the search for your school button and enter Hutt Valley High School. You will then be asked to enter the username and password for HVHS which are listed below.
Username - hvhs
Password - Adalta
Peer Tutoring - Students Helping Students
Our Academic Leaders, William Li (13FE), Fiona Wu (13FE) and Eileen Wu (13FE) have set up a Peer Tutoring programme where high-achieving senior students in Years 12 & 13 will be available to help HVHS students with academic support. Peer Tutors can provide support in school work, exams, assignments and concepts at no cost.
Peer Tutoring is provided in sessions of 15-30 minutes and is offered in a variety of subjects. The plan is for a student requiring support to catch up with their Peer Tutor at least once a week. To register a student for Peer Tutoring - click here
Always remember, that a range of learning support options are available for students at HVHS. If you'd like to know more about the options available, please contact your Mentor Teacher in the first instance.
Keen to be a Peer Tutor?
If your Year 12 or 13 student is keen to be a Peer Tutor and develop their communication skills, our Academic Leaders are looking for additional Peer Tutors to join the programme. This is a brilliant opportunity for students wanting to volunteer in school as well as develop communication skills. For students interested in becoming a Peer Tutor click here to register your interest.
For any questions, please contact William Li at 20168wl@hvhs.school.nz, Fiona Wu at 20013fw@hvhs.school.nz or Eileen Wu at 20012ew@hvhs.schol.nz
News from the Sports Office
- Mikayla Sola (13JD) won gold in the Senior Girls Hammer Throw with a personal best throw of 50.93m at the College Sport Wellington Hammer Throw Championships.
- Mia Allwood (13JD) won silver in the Women's Club Coxless Pair Oars and bronze in the Women's Club Coxless Four events at the North Island Rowing Championships.
- Competing at the New Zealand Rowing Championships, Mia Allwood (13JD) and Emma McRobbie (12LY) both made finals with their respective teams. Mia placed 4th in the Woman's Coxless Pairs Oars and 1st in the Women's Coxed/Coxless 1000m events. Emma placed 5th in the Women's Intermediate Coxed Eight and 8th in the Women's Intermediate Coxed Four events.
- HVHS Senior Mixed Touch Team placed 1st and the HVHS Senior Girls placed 3rd at the recent College Sport Wellington Touch Tournament. Well done to both teams.
Underwater Hockey Have a Go Night
Is your student still looking for a winter sport? Underwater hockey has been growing in popularity at HVHS and this Sunday (3 March) is a 'Have a Go Night' at Huia Pool from 7-8pm. Bring your togs and a towel and give it a go.
Senior A Girls Volleyball Car Wash - Tomorrow
This Saturday (2 March) the Senior A Girls Volleyball team will be washing cars from 9:30am to 2:30pm in the HVHS car park as they raise funds for their National Championships in Palmerston North. Baking will also be on sale.
Wellington Dragon Boat Festival
HVHS has two teams competing this Sunday (3 March) and they'd love your support. The Dragon Boat Festival is based at Frank Kitts Park and crews load into their dragon boats at Whairepo Lagoon on the Wellington Waterfront. Races start at 10am, so expect lots of yelling as schools support their teams.
Keeping in Touch
Please help us celebrate our students' sporting successes by emailing sport@hvhs.school.nz with any information and results. We can share any photos on our social media pages. For reminders, news and results follow HVHS Sports on Facebook and Instagram.
Image: Mia Allwood (third from left) pictured with her team at the North Island Rowing Championships.
Seeking New School Board Member with Expertise in Te Ao Māori
An opportunity to serve on the School Board has arisen with Board Member, Tina Marama Wairau recently giving notice of her intended resignation. To ensure the School Board continues to represent the HVHS school community, the Board is specifically looking to co-opt a Board Member who can bring mātauranga Māori and support our tikanga and kawa. The co-opted Board Member will help ensure te ao Māori informs the board’s decision-making and is best placed to support Māori student achievement.
If you’re interested or know of someone who is right for this role, please contact Presiding Member (Board Chair) Miranda Cross at chair@hvhs.school.nz or Principal, Denise Johnson at denise.johnson@hvhs.school.nz
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.
Dungeons & Dragons Club
HVHS offers a Dungeons and Dragons club every Thursday in V8 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. The club is beginning their program in Term 1 with an introduction to the resources available for students.
Over the past few years, the D&D club has provided a safe haven for some of our students who struggle with making friends, have social anxiety, or overall just need to find their tribe.
No experience is needed for students to join the D&D Club. The Club Organisers will work to find each student the right group to play in. For any questions, please email Marcus Blomquist at marcus.blomquist@hvhs.school.nz
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
Wednesday 6 March
- Duke of Edinburgh Awards Information Evening, HVHS Staffroom, 6:15pm-7:15pm
Thursday 7 March
- Art Folio Exhibition of NCEA Levels 1 & 2, in S1 at HVHS, 5:30pm-7:30pm
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
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