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Hobsonville Point Secondary School Communication6 June 2025 PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGEKia ora e ngā whānau, It is hard to believe that we are in Week 6, and with this only being a 9-week term, we are fast approaching the end of the term. At this time of year, students will be completing assessments, playing winter sports, and rehearsing for the production. We have our Pacific fono next week and our Matariki celebration the following week. We are looking forward to seeing our whānau at these events. These are great ways to connect as a community. With the weather getting colder and winter bugs beginning to spread, it is essential for teens to get a good night's sleep. According to research, very few teens—as little as 15 percent—are getting the sleep than they need. Short on sleep, teens face challenges to their health, their safety, their performance, and their ability to learn. Please check out the SchoolTV information on sleep habits. https://hpss.nz.schooltv.me/content/blog/teens-need-more-sleep-you-think We would like to thank you all for your ongoing support with attendance. We are incredibly proud of our high attendance rates. If you want to check your child’s attendance, you can check the School Bridge App. Ngā mihi Kirsty Dowding Tumuaki Principal
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CONNECTEDNESS - COACHING PROJECTThis year, a group of enthusiastic students have taken part in an exciting Coaching Project that began in Term 1. The project is designed to develop leadership and coaching skills by preparing students to teach and guide younger tamariki through fun and engaging games. Throughout Term 1, students focused on learning the fundamentals of coaching. Under the guidance of Mel, they observed and participated in a wide range of games, gaining valuable experience in how to lead activities, manage groups, and create a positive, inclusive environment. These sessions equipped students with the tools needed to engage younger learners while promoting teamwork, fair play, and physical activity. By playing the games themselves, students built confidence and gained practical knowledge essential for stepping into coaching roles. As part of their preparation, they also practised giving constructive feedback to their peers—recognising strengths and identifying areas for improvement. All of this training came together in Term 2, when students began their coaching at Scott Point Primary School. This next phase offers them the chance to put their new skills into action, leading sessions and inspiring younger students to enjoy active play. Each Wednesday afternoon, it has been incredibly rewarding to see over 100 primary students actively engaged in a variety of physical activities led by our Hobsonville Point Secondary School coaches. Our students have done an amazing job planning and delivering fun, modified lessons that not only get younger students moving but also create a supportive and enjoyable environment. Lastly, thank you to the students from the Artpoint Project for photographing our journey.
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COLLABORATION - NZ MUSIC MONTHWe have just successfully completed the 25th year of celebrating New Zealand Music Month. This idea was launched in 2000 by the New Zealand Music Commission (NZMC) and the founding kaupapa is to promote Music from Aotearoa in all its forms. From its small beginnings this celebration has grown enormously, and helped to encourage and develop music made in Aotearoa. Last week we were lucky enough to work with a mentor from the NZMC. Rodney Fisher from the very popular 2000s band Goodshirt ("Sophie" and "Fiji Baby") spent two days working with music students from Yrs 9-13. Each class got to learn more about the industry and then smaller groups worked with Rodney on song development, recording, and production. It was an incredibly powerful and productive partnership with four songs recorded, which students will continue to work on to gain NCEA credits. The final day wrapped up with NZ Music Month Tee Shirt Day and a lunchtime gig by Rodney in our recording studio - it was a very cool experience for the students in the audience, and there were plenty of thoughtful questions afterwards. Our thanks to Rodney Fisher and the NZMC for this wonderful opportunity our ākonga.
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COLLABORATION - MATARIKI FESTIVALOn 20 June, HPSS will be hosting our second annual Matariki festival, in partnership with Te Kawerau ā Maki and Te Ohu o Onekiritea. This event is open to the Hobsonville community. The Hautapu will take place this year on the HPSS field at 6.15am. Please look for the lights and our friendly guides. Kai and games will follow inside the school, with the games run by students from HPSS. To confirm your attendance you must RSVP by scanning the QR code on the poster below or by clicking on the link here. We look forward to seeing you there.
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INQUIRY - WAIKATO UNI CHEMISTRY TRIPOn Thursday 5 May, HPSS's Year 13 Chemistry class attended some spectroscopy workshops at Waikato University. The day started off with everyone being split into three groups. There were three workshops: one about Mass spectra, IR (infrared) spectra, and one about 13C NMR spectra. Each group rotated through the workshops, learning in detail about how each piece of equipment works and how it is used to help identify chemical compounds. A couple of the workshops also had some interactive components, where we got to use the equipment ourselves. After that, we all gathered together to watch a liquid nitrogen demonstration. We saw up close how liquid nitrogen interacts with different things in the environment the different reactions that can occur. Finally, we had lunch, where we were able to explore the university a little and immerse ourselves within the student environment. This experience was fun, engaging, and very useful for us, as we prepare for our upcoming spectroscopy assessment. Kavya Kumaraguru, Yr 13
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SPORTING EXCELLENCE - WEIGHTLIFTINGOn the 24th of May, I competed in the Auckland Secondary School Weightlifting Champs. It was my first big competition and it was such a cool experience. I'm really happy with how I did. For snatches I did 41kgs, 44kgs and attempted 47kgs but unfortunately missed it. And for clean & jerks I did 51kgs, 54kgs and 57kgs meaning I got a 101kg total and won the female 63kgs category! This was such a massive confidence boost for me and my lifting journey and I'm striving to continue to do my best as I prepare for the New Zealand Secondary School Weightlifting Champs in September! Sam Howlett, Year 12
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EXCELLENCE - DUKE OF EDINBURGH SILVER AWARDCongratulations to Hayden Preston, the first student from Hobsonville Point Secondary School (HPSS) to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a youth awards program founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. It has since expanded to operate in over 130 countries. The Award is a voluntary, non-competitive program designed to encourage personal discovery, self-reliance, responsibility, and teamwork in young people. It's open to individuals between the ages of 14 and 24, and participants progress through three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Hayden began the award scheme in March of last year. The Silver Award comprises three specific sections: Voluntary Service, Skills, and Physical Recreation, from which participants choose their activities, along with an Adventurous Journey that must be completed. Hayden was dedicated and worked diligently to complete 26 hours of voluntary service and Skills and a total of 52 hours for his Physical recreation to gain this award. Well done Hayden for your commitment and service!
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SPORTING EXCELLENCE - WEST SWIMMING ZONE CHAMPIONSHIPOn Tuesday 3rd of June, six HPSS swimmers (Marcus, Owen, Lily, Penelope, Ethan and William) represented their school in the Western Zone Swimming Championships at the AUT millennium pool. The team did a great job and swam their hardest, with everyone making notable achievements. Owen Mol placing first in the 50m fly overall for the 14 - 15 year old age group. William Blair placing 2nd in the 50m breaststroke overall for the 16 - 18 year old age group. Marcus Hook placing 11th in the 50m fly overall for the 14 - 15 year old age group. Ethan Poore placing 10th in the 50m freestyle overall for the 13 & under age group. Penelope Teirney placing 5th in the 50m breaststroke overall for the 13 & under age group. Lily Moore placing 13th in the 50m backstroke overall for the 13 & under age group.
Overall, we were up against some tough competition but still achieved some great stuff, it’s safe to say that we’re all motivated to get stronger for next year! William Blair, Year 12
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HARBOUR SPORT LEADERSHIP AND COACHING DAYOn Thursday 22 May, a group of HPSS's student sports leaders, mostly captains and student coaches, attended a Harbour Sport Coaching and Leadership development day at AUT.
The day started off with everyone being split into two groups. The red group launched off with a coaching workshop first, where they played various types of games which highlighted the impact the type could have on people, and how by adjusting it, more people may participate and/or stay interested long-term. For example, if the activity is lining up and trying to shoot a ball in a basketball hoop, this may be intimidating to some people as everyone is waiting for you. So, we should instead tweak the activity to make it more inclusive. On the other hand, the blue group began with a leadership workshop, which showcased the importance of having a growth mindset and how it affects your performance. After that, the groups switched over and did the other activity. Once that was done, everyone came together and split into smaller groups to do some teamwork activities with a rope, bringing everyone together and encouraging communication. Afterwards, we were lucky enough to be provided with Subway for lunch! The day then came to a close with a guest panel, where questions were submitted by us beforehand and answered. The panel featured Pru Fowler - a Track and Road Cyclist; James Mortimer - an athlete and coach; and Amy Walker - a worker at Auckland FC.
This day taught us many things, including the importance of being able to see from different people's perspectives, and different ways to adapt and change activities to make them more inclusive for everyone. It also taught us how to recognise when we have a fixed mindset, and ways to overcome this challenge. I am grateful that we were able to be presented with this opportunity as this information helped me grow as a person in sports, academics, and other aspects of life, when trying to overcome barriers/challenges. Kavya Kumaraguru, Year 13
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INTERNSHIP STORY - HELENSVILLE BIRTHING CENTREI have recently begun an internship through the Pathways team at HPSS. My internship is at Helensville Birthing Centre (HBC). A typical day involves me reviewing the notes and other important postnatal details I need to know about the women I will be caring for on that day. These notes can help me understand what kind of support the midwife and I will be giving. Continuing with my day, I shadow the midwife I'm with into the postnatal rooms and carry out the set plans we make daily for each woman that suit their needs and wants. The care we give to women can look very different depending on their postnatal situation. Some Wahine need more support when it comes to breastfeeding and learning the basics of becoming a Māmā. Other Wahine choose to come stay at HBC purely for alone time and time to bond with their new pēpi. At HBC, I enjoy being able to see the bonding and connections that happen at this special time in the lives of these Whānau. It's a privilege to be a part of these moments and to be able to make the women feel as comfortable and supported as possible. I have been lucky enough to be present at two homebirths while being at HBC. Being at these births has given me extra knowledge of how every woman's experience is so different. No words can describe how special and amazing birth is; it is truly one of the most powerful experiences to witness. I have learnt so much while being at HBC, and I can't wait to be able to extend my knowledge further over the next couple of terms I will spend there. During my time spent at HBC, I have been welcomed with open arms and patience. The midwives, health care assistants, lactation consultants and managers at HBC treat me like one of their own and cover me in reassurance, love, and respect. It is truly an amazing work whānau. My time spent at HBC has definitely opened my eyes to what I want to do after school. Deciding between nursing and midwifery is definitely going to be a tough decision now, after my experience and time spent at Helensville Birthing Centre. Mali Timai, Year 12
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SPORTING EXCELLENCE - SWIMMINGWe are incredibly proud of Year 13 student, Igor Russanov, who has been selected to represent New Zealand at the World Junior Swimming Championships later in the year. Huge congratulations, Igor - we cannot wait to support you on the next stage of your journey.
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KEY DATES 2025Term 2 - Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June Term 3 - Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September Term 4 - Monday 6 October - Friday 12 December 24 October - Staff Only Day Public Holidays: Labour Day – Monday 27 October 12 December - Staff Only Day
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