Hobsonville Point Secondary School Communication

13 February 2026

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Kia ora e ngā whānau,

It has been a fantastic start to the school year at HPSS. From warmly welcoming our Year 9 students and new families into our community, to enjoying our recent Community Days and Athletics Day, it has been wonderful to see our students feeling connected, confident, and ready to learn.

We have successfully launched our new timetable structure of four 70-minute blocks each day. It has been pleasing to see students engaged and focused, and making the most of their learning time.

We are aware that current roadworks in our area are creating increased traffic challenges. As a result, some families may need to allow a little extra travel time in the mornings. A reminder that school begins promptly at 9:00am each day, and it is essential that students arrive on time and prepared to fully participate in their learning.

In Week 6, we will be holding our Extra-Curricular Expo. We strongly encourage you and your student to check the notices on the School Bridge school app regularly to ensure they do not miss any opportunities to become involved in our wide range of sports teams and variety of clubs. Participation in these activities is a wonderful way for students to build friendships, develop new skills, and strengthen their connection to our school community.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our outstanding school. We look forward to another positive and successful term ahead.

Ngā mihi

Kirsty Dowding

Tumuaki Principal

UPCOMING KEY DATES AND KEY INFORMATION

This is reminder that Friday, 27 February is a Staff Only Day.  There will be no timetabled classes. 

Over the next 2–3 weeks, roadworks will be taking place outside the school by the bus stop directly outside the main entrance. Minor works have already begun, with full works scheduled to start on Monday 16 February. During this period, temporary bus stops will be in operation.  To help ensure safety and smooth traffic flow, please note the following:

• The Pick‑Up and Drop‑Off Zone is the car park off Nugget Ave, as this area will not be affected by the roadworks.

• The laneway in front of the school should only be used in exceptional circumstances; specifically for students in the Arohanui Unit, or those who use a wheelchair or crutches.

CYBERSAFETY

As a school community, we are proud of the positive way our students connect, collaborate, and support one another both at school and beyond. However, as young people increasingly engage with social media platforms and online communication tools — including apps such as Discord, SnapChat, Instagram, TikTok — it is important that we continue working together to promote safe, respectful, and responsible online behaviour.

While many online platforms provide valuable opportunities for connection and shared interests, they can also present challenges. Misunderstandings, unkind behaviour, inappropriate content, and unsafe interactions can occur outside school hours but still significantly impact student wellbeing and relationships at school.

We encourage all families to have regular, open conversations with their children about their online activity. Taking an interest in the platforms they use, understanding who they are communicating with, and discussing expectations around respectful communication are essential steps in supporting positive digital citizenship. Clear family boundaries around screen time, privacy settings, and appropriate online conduct can make a significant difference.

To further support parents and caregivers, we recommend accessing the SchoolTV resources available through our school. SchoolTV provides practical, evidence-based information on topics such as cyber safety, social media use, gaming, and managing screen time. These resources are designed to help families navigate the digital world with confidence and to support meaningful discussions at home. https://hpss.nz.schooltv.me/channel-newsletter/315 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting the well-being and safety of our young people. By working together, we can help our students build the skills they need to engage positively and responsibly in the digital world.

SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS

Phones Away For The Day

At school, students are expected to have their phones switched off and kept in their bags while inside the building. If a student is seen using a phone, an email is sent home. If this occurs five times, we meet with the student and their parents, and the phone either stays at home or is handed in to the office each day for the remainder of the year.

CONNECTEDNESS: YEAR 9 INDUCTION & COMMUNITY DAY

We were very fortunate to be able to have a day during which our Whānau groups were able to participate in several ‘team vs team’ activities. Our amazing student leaders helped run the events, and all of our Whānau groups did an amazing job and showed a great level of communication and teamwork. Whānau groups from Onekiritea, Tiriwa, Tāhere Tikitiki and Waiarohia took part in Benchball, Predetermined path and Team Memory games. I am proud to say I was one of the leaders helping with the Team Memory activity and can say that all of the Whānau groups we had playing at our station did very well in understanding the game and being competitive but still being kind, supportive team members.

• Ariana Greco, Y10.

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On the 2nd of February 2026, HPSS held our Year 9 Induction Day. Over 200 of our new Year 9 students, alongside their parents, staff, and student leaders, came together to mark the beginning of high school for the 2026 cohort.

We started the day with a formal pōwhiri, welcoming our new students and their families into the HPSS community. It was such a meaningful way to begin the year and made the day feel special from the start. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a morning tea and had the chance to chat and connect.

Students were then placed in their communities and whānau, where they met the people they’ll spend the next few years with. From there, we moved into workshop rotations. These sessions helped students learn how to use Google Read & Write, log into their school accounts, navigate the library, understand the support available through Te Ara Manaaki, and get a better idea of how Sports works at HPSS.

To wrap up the day, we ran an Amazing Race between whānau groups within each community. Students worked together to complete a range of fun challenges and earn community points. It was the perfect way to end a big day full of information and new learning.

Overall, it was a welcoming and positive start to high school, and we’re so excited to see our Year 9s continue their journey at HPSS.

• Tome Chan Chui - Assistant Principal

KOTAHITANGA DAY

Kotahitanga Day was a fantastic way for our HPSS communities to begin the year, building relationships through a range of competitive and non-competitive sports games and activities. It was wonderful to see everyone showing their support by dressing up and wearing the colours associated with their community.

We believe Kotahitanga Day plays an important role in helping students - especially those who are new to our kura - settle in, feel safe, and experience a strong sense of belonging. This is why it has become a valued tradition for our kura to start each year in this way.

Congratulations to everyone who took part, and a special well done to those who placed in the athletics events.

COLLABORATION - ALUMNI CULINARY EXPERTISE

On Thursday last week the Q3 Food Technology class had the opportunity to meet a past student, Nick Graham. After graduating from HPSS, Nick spent time working in professional kitchens before pursuing formal training at Ferrandi Paris. Nick received an offer straight out of culinary school and has worked in a Michelin star restaurant in London. Nick is currently a chef at Ottolenghi's famous London Restaurant.  

Nick gave our ākonga a taste of what it is like working in a Michelin star restaurant and showed his skills in preparing Profiteroles and how to master the skills behind the tasty pastry.

WAITANGI TRIP

On the 6th of February, some of our school's Māori students attended our annual Waitangi Trip. Having the opportunity to experience the history that was made on that piece of land was a privilege. Seeing the waka parade, experiencing the food stalls and entertainment, and visiting the Treaty Grounds was both educational and eye-opening. For those who were able to come on the trip, it was a chance to see into the world of Māori and how we all come together on a day with such significance. As the day is recognised, I am so proud to be able to experience it every year at our amazing kura.

- Jolie Papst, Y13

EXCELLENCE: SPORTS

Tag Team

Congratulations to Christabelle Marsters-Singh (Y9), who has been selected for the American Samoa U14 Mixed Tag team to play in the NZTFI Junior Oceania Indigenous Invitational Cup in March.

North Island Colgate Games

Congratulations to Maia Peterson, who proudly represented Waitākere at the North Island Colgate Games over the summer. Maia had an outstanding performance, winning two gold medals - one in the long jump and another as part of the 4 x 100m relay team. (Top photo, right).

North Harbour Touch

Congratulations to our HPSS whānau who have represented North Harbour in touch this season.

Maia Peterson, Isla Barker Clarke, Alexia Jurgens, Olivia Jurgens, Olivia Good, Elliot Chan Chui, Melissa Chan Chui (Bottom photo).

UPCOMING UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW PRESENTATIONS & KA AWATEA GOOGLE CLASSROOM FOR Y12/13 STUDENTS

Commencing Monday 23rd February, we have representatives from universities and the NZDF coming into HPSS to give overview presentations to students considering university study/NZDF in 2027.

Dates are as follows:

• Otago - 23 Feb

• AUT - 2 March

• Auckland - 16 March

• NZDF - 19 March

• Canterbury - 23 March

• Massey - 30 March

• Victoria - 20 April

• Waikato - 4 May

• Unitec - 11 May

• Lincoln - 18 May

Further details can be found on the HPSS Ka Awatea (Pathways) Google Classroom -  all Year 12/13 students have been emailed a link to join.  We encourage all senior students to join this classroom, to keep up-to-date with tertiary study and careers-related information and opportunities at HPSS.

PATHWAYS: UNITECH PATHWAYS COLLEGE ORIENTATION DAY

This week, 12 of our senior students attended their orientation day at Unitec Pathways College, where they will attend courses every Wednesday this year in Carpentry, Automotive, and Animal Care. 

Students were officially welcomed onto campus with a Pōwhiri at the Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, before moving into an orientation day, providing the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the campus, staff and expectations, as well as the students they will be learning alongside from other schools. 

We are proud to see our students engaging in learning experiences that support their interests and future career pathways, and wish them all the best for their courses this year.

PATHWAYS: INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME ORIENTATION

On Wednesday, the Pathways team ran an orientation workshop at the Sunderland Lounge for the 90 year 12 and 13 students who have been successful in joining the 2026 Internship Programme. The orientation was designed to build confidence, set clear expectations, and help students make the most of their upcoming work-based learning experiences.

We heard from two guest speakers: Benji Phipps, an HPSS Internship Programme Alumni who shared his experiences, and advice for future interns; and Mark Fraser, a Senior Leader from the Hobsonville Point community, who shared inspiring insights from his background along with tips for success as young people enter the workforce. 

Those who have their internships established and will be starting their placements next week received their internship “work ready” packs as we celebrated the diverse range of placements they will be heading into. The Pathways team are looking forward to supporting the remaining students with connecting and firming up their internships in the coming weeks. 

CONNECTEDNESS - UPPER HARBOUR YOUTH ADVISORY PANEL

Apply now for a spot on the 2026 Upper Harbour Youth Advisory Panel (YAP).  

If you live in Upper Harbour and are 15-25 years, have your voice heard! The Upper Harbour YAP discusses issues and policies that are important to youth for the MP to take to the halls of Parliament, so if you are a community-driven leader, please join the Upper Harbour Youth Advisory Panel.

Applications close Wednesday 4 March, 5pm. There are three places available.

Apply via the QR code form or email the office on upperharbouroffice@parliament.govt.nz with your name, age, phone number, suburb, school or occupation and explain:

1. Why would you like to be on the Upper Harbour Youth Advisory Panel.

2. What issue you are most passionate about.

3. What issue you believe affects the youth of Upper Harbour the most.

For any enquiries, please call (09) 416 3249.

INFORMATION: PHYSIO SERVICES IN 2026

Hobsonville Physio offer free ACC consultations for students from HPSS at any of their three Hobsonville Physio Clinics: Hobsonville, Riverhead and Whenuapai (when it opens). 

When making a booking, please notify the reception at Hobsonville Physio that the booking is on behalf of an HPSS student.

HPSS K.O! 2026 CREW REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

Calling all HPSS students. Join our K-pop dance crew, open to all year levels and skill levels. Click the link below to register:

https://forms.gle/TCqkxvpEBFkKc3eL6

KEY DATES 2026

Term 1 (10 weeks) - Friday 30 January - Thursday 2 April

• Staff Only Day - Friday 27 February

Term 2 (11 weeks) - Monday 20 April - Friday 3 July 

• Public Holidays: ANZAC Day Observed - Monday 27 April, King’s Birthday – Monday 1 June

Term 3 (10 weeks) - Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September 

Term 4 (9 weeks) - Monday 12 October - Thursday 10 December 

• Public Holidays: Labour Day – Monday 26 October