Hobsonville Point Secondary School Communication

22 November 2024

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Kia ora e ngā whānau,

We have one more week of NCEA exams, and we have been very proud of our students for all the efforts they have put into their studies. Thank you for supporting your child through this critical time. Next week is the last week for our Year 11s, and we look forward to the prize giving on Friday.

Our junior students are now getting excited for EOTC week. Organising and planning the camp is a big task, and we are lucky that, as a school, we continue to be able to plan this event. This is an opportunity for our students to test their resilience and build their confidence. Check out the School TV information on confidence & motivation.  https://hpss.nz.schooltv.me/newsletter/confidence-motivation-nz 

This week, we had an outstanding orientation day for all the Year 8 students starting at HPSS. Next year will be our largest cohort, and we are excited to see our school grow.

Ngā mihi

Kirsty Dowding

Tumuaki Principal

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Friday 29 November will be the last day for Year 11s with Year 11 prize-giving taking place at 9.30am. You and your child will receive an email on Monday if they are a prize winner.

Following prize-giving, IEMs for Year 9 and 10 students and their whānau will occur from 11.00am - 6.30pm. Bookings can be made here.  As a result, there will be no scheduled classes on this day.  Please contact info@hobsonvillepoint.school.nz if your child needs supervision in the school library.

Please check the ‘key dates’ section below for the remaining significant term dates.

RESILIENCE - YEAR 11 OUTDOOR EDUCATION TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK EXPEDITION

Last week, the Year 11 Outdoor Education class travelled to the Tongariro National Park to push our bodies and spirit and deepen our understanding of hauora.  

As a class, we travelled down to Tongariro national park, staying at YHA Backpackers for two nights and three days. We had planned to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing the next day, but due to unsafe weather conditions such as low visibility, high winds, and heavy rains we had to make alternative plans.

To make up for this loss we ended up doing the Taranaki Falls Loop (7km) and Silica Rapids (6 km) walking a total of 13 km in a day. Following the hike, we spent the rest of the time bonding with one another and finishing the night off with dinner at a restaurant. The last day on our way back home we stopped in Taupo at Wairakei Thermal Hot Pools to end off our trip in a more relaxing way.

Alyssa Kawana

CONNECTEDNESS - SCIENCE-ART KIDS’ WORKSHOPS

This Saturday, 23 November, Hobsonville Point Secondary School will be hosting free Science-Art workshops run by the schools in Whiria Te Tangata Kāhui Ako (our Community of Learning).  The workshops are targeted at students aged 5+ but all ages are welcome!

The workshops are part of the wider Art Point Art Trail which will take place tomorrow.  For more information about the Art Trail, please see https://artpoint.co.nz/. Thank you to all those involved for opening their homes and sharing their creativity with us.  

CONNECTEDNESS - OPPORTUNITY TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

At HPSS we believe that connections and partnerships are an important part of learning. International students play an important role in the culture and diversity of our school and help our students deepen their understanding of the world.  

This week we were proud to welcome thirty-six students and two teachers from Tsunan High School, Japan. More than forty HPSS students stepped up to act as ‘buddies’ to our guests, making them feel welcome in our kura, helping them navigate our school, and acting as interpreters of kiwi-slang. Huge thanks to our volunteer buddies for creating such a positive experience for our guests.

To support HPSS with continuing these partnerships we are looking for hosts for 2025.  If you are interested, please read the flyer below and indicate your interest by emailing us at international@hobsonvillepoint.school.nz 

CONNECTEDNESS - NATHAN WALLIS SEMINAR UNDERSTANDING THE TEEN BRAIN

This is a reminder that on Wednesday, 11 December, renowned neuroscience educator, Nathan Wallis, will be coming to speak to our community about the ‘Teen Brain’.  

From 7.30pm - 9.00pm Nathan Wallis will share his insights into the workings of the teenage brain and provide clear tips and practices from research to help your teen’s ability (and yours) to cope with this tricky time and navigate these formative years.

To book a ticket, please click on the link below.

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/nathan-wallis-the-teen-brain/auckland/hobsonville

INFORMATION - CHRISTMAS ON THE POINT (AND K.O. DANCE PERFORMANCE)

Sunday, 8 December will see the annual Christmas on the Point festivities at the Rifle Range. As part of the celebration, the HPSS students from K.O. will be performing. We are a school dance group that mainly focuses on K-Pop dance covers. You may have seen our recent performance at the HPSS Cultural Day and we also just recently performed for the Year 8 Orientation day. We also have a very exciting up-coming performance at Christmas On The Point. We have a great performance lined up so please come by to the awesome event and support us!

KEY DATES 2024

Term 4:  Monday 14 October - Friday 13 December 

• Friday 29 November - Last day for Year 11s and Year 11 prize giving 9.30am. Year 9 and 10 IEMs from 11am - 6.30pm. Book here. No classes on this day, as staff will be with whānau and students in IEM appointments.  Please contact info@hobsonvillepoint.school.nz if your child needs supervision in the school library on this day. 

• Monday 2 December to Friday 6 December - Year 9 and 10 EOTC Week. Year 11 service trip to Samoa.

• Friday 13 December - Last day for Year 9s and 10s and junior prize-givings.

  Year 10s; 9.30am. Year 9s; 11.00am. School finishes at 12.00pm.

KEY DATES 2025

Term 1 - Monday 3 February - Friday 11 April

• Friday 31 January - IEMs for all Year 9s and new students 

• All Year 9s and new students to HPSS start Monday 3 February 10am

• All students start Tuesday 4 February 9am

• Public Holidays: Waitangi Day – Thursday 6 February

Term 2 - Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June 

• Public Holidays: King’s Birthday – Monday 2 June

• Matariki – Friday 20 June

Term 3 - Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September 

Term 4 - Monday 6 October - Friday 12 December 

• Public Holidays: Labour Day – Monday 27 October