Hobsonville Point Secondary School Communication

21 March 2025

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Kia ora e ngā whānau,

Today's newsletter exemplifies the fantastic opportunities offered at Hobsonville Point Secondary School. I often tell students and parents at open evenings and enrolments that being involved in school activities will improve your connection and achievement. It is incredible all the opportunities we offer.

We celebrated Holi last week, ending with a Bollywood dance showcase with over 100 students and staff participating. This was an example of our kura celebrating diversity. The students who organised this did an outstanding job and should be very proud of their efforts. 

The bookings for IEMs are now open on the school bridge app. We value our partnership with our community, and this ensures that students can reach their potential.

Ngā mihi

Kirsty Dowding

Tumuaki Principal

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION MEETINGS (IEMs)

We value powerful partnerships with whānau, and Individual Education Meetings (IEMs) are an important part of the way we do things at Hobsonville Point Secondary School. We always want to meet with 100% of our families at these important hui.

Semester 1 IEMs will be held for all students during: Term 1, Week 11 Thursday 10 April 8.30am - 7pm, Friday 11 April 8.30am - 4.30pm

Please follow the instructions below to book your IEM time:

1. Login to the SchoolBridge app or head to https://login.bridge.school.nz/ and login with the email address we use to contact you.

2. Click on the IEMs icon on SchoolBridge which will take you to "My Conferences"

3. Click "Book Time" 

4. Select your preferred time. You can enter any notes you would like the hub coach to see prior to the IEM.

5. Select "Confirm Time" and then Close.

Note: You can edit your time by clicking on the "View/Change Booking" button and re-selecting your preferred time.  If you have more than one learner at HPSS, please select the correct photo - and follow the process for each learner.

CONNECTEDNESS - YEAR 12 OUTDOOR EDUCATION

The Q2 Outdoor Education group embarked on a kayaking trip to Whangamata, where they set up their own tents and settled in for the night. At 6am, they set out on a kayaking adventure around Whenuakura (Donut Island), followed by a beachside group breakfast. 

Later, they hiked to a nearby waterfall, immersing themselves in the beauty of the native bush and trees.

In the evening, the group gathered at a local bach, where they made pizzas in a traditional pizza oven. As night fell, Edd led them on a nighttime bushwalk, offering a unique experience of the wilderness after dark.

At one point, they turned off their lights and listened to the sounds of nature, the gentle rush of water, rustling trees, calls of possums, morepork, and even kiwi birds.

The next morning, they woke to a freezing dawn and headed to the Otahu River at 6:30am. As they paddled through the misty waters, the fog hovered just above the river, creating a breathtaking view. 

After an unforgettable experience, the group wrapped up their trip and made their way back home.

Beau Good, Year 12

INQUIRY - MODEL UNITED NATIONS

On the 15th and 16th of March, a group of students from the HPSS Model UN club participated in the Auckland Model United Nations Event 2025 at the University of Auckland, which is the largest nationwide UN Youth event. 

Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations, where students take on the roles of delegates representing the member states of the United Nations. We debate real-world global conflicts and draft and debate resolutions like protecting migrant rights in labour workforces, the right to healthcare, and the global standard of democracy (etc). 

From AMUN this year, we developed skills in public speaking, negotiation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. We also gained skills in leadership experience and a deeper understanding of global and diplomatic affairs while connecting with peers from all over New Zealand. 

Vani Batra, Year 11

CONNECTEDNESS - BOLLYWOOD

Holi is the festival of colour and last week we celebrated it throughout our school. In hubs we had some colouring puzzles but the big star of the week was our inter-community Bollywood dance competition.

For the three weeks leading up to the event, student leaders from each community helped gather up students to dance and represent each community. From practising during their breaks to early before school, all students involved were so dedicated and enthusiastic! It was great to see so much participation from students and a lot of staff. Thank you to everyone who showed up and supported our performers last Friday and thank you to all the students and staff who performed for performing. 

Nikita Naidu, Year 12

PACIFIC LEADERSHIP - SOUTH SUMMIT

Last week, we took 11 students to The South Summit at Mangere Arts Centre, an inspiring event celebrating Pasifika excellence in leadership, creativity, and learning. Our students had the incredible opportunity to engage in workshops and enjoy performances led by some of Aotearoa’s most celebrated Pasifika poets, performing artists, and MCs. It was a powerful and uplifting experience, fostering connection, cultural pride, and leadership among our aspiring Pacific leaders.

INQUIRY - Q3 CLASSICAL STUDIES

This term the Q3 Classics class has been looking into Alexander the Great, focusing upon his upbringing, campaign through Asia, and his achievements as a general and leader. To that extent, last week on Thursday Nick led us through a re-enactment of the battle of Granicus.

The first thing that we did was practice the professional Macedonian phalanx arrangement, with 3-meter-long “sarissas”.  We’d been learning and talking about the Macedonian army in class, how they were incredibly efficient and well-trained, with the phalanx being an excellent example. When the Macedonians were in their phalanx, it made them incredibly difficult to defeat because their spears were much longer than their opponents, so they were just an impenetrable wall of sarissas that would advance on their enemies. The last thing we did in our phalanx was to attempt to march. We were given a beat to march to and the challenge was to all stay in formation whilst moving. We did attempt a change in direction then back to marching, but it wasn’t as smooth as the ancient Macedonians. 

The second thing that we did was re-enact the battle of Granicus, with 22 students all given specific roles. There was an Alexander and a Spithridates, and a Macedonian army and a Persian army, who all had specific positions such as cavalry, phalanxes, Greek mercenaries, and barbarian fighters.

Portia Cliffin, Year 13

CONNECTEDNESS - SENIOR DRAMA THEATRE TRIP AND SCHOOL PRODUCTION

Auditions for our school production began this week, and we have been truly impressed by the enthusiasm and talent of our students. With so many strong performances, casting won’t be easy!

Over the next two weeks, we’ll be finalising the cast and preparing to dive into rehearsals. We look forward to seeing the show take shape and watching our performers grow into their roles.

Our senior drama students also had the wonderful opportunity to attend A Mixtape for Maladies by Auckland Theatre Company as part of their school matinee programme.

Beyond the performance itself, they also took part in a post-show Q&A session with the cast and crew, gaining valuable insight into the play’s themes, social issues, and creative process. The production was beautifully performed and deeply moving—I’m sure it left a lasting impression on our students and will be an experience they remember for a long time.

Nicci Reuben

INFORMATION - MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES

SMOKE FREE ROCKQUEST (SFRQ) and Play it Strange (PiS) are music competitions for school students. The difference between them is that SFRQ requires a live performance (band, solo/duo) of an original song, and PiS requires a basic recording and lyric sheet of an original song (which can be collaboratively written by more than one person).

If you have a student who is interested in either or both of these competitions - please ask them to join our Google Classroom to stay up to date with the opportunities and entry deadlines. Class code: 5kxc6bc

If you have any questions - please email jeni.little@hobsonvillepoint.school.nz

CONNECTEDNESS - INTER-COMMUNITY FUTSAL

Over the past two weeks, the four communities have been engaged in an intense futsal competition for community pride and points.

Last week, the girls’ teams played a round robin competition across three consecutive days. When the dust settled in the gym, only one community could emerge victorious. Congratulations to Tāhere Tikitiki for winning the final against Onekiritea.

The boys’ competition this week was equally fierce.  With bodies flying and bruises accumulated, no team left the courts unscathed.  In the closely fought final between Onekiritea and Waiarohia, Waiarohia stormed ahead to a 3-0 lead and were lucky to hold on against Onekiritea who launched a fierce comeback, with the final score 3-2.  Well done to all participants for demonstrating your community pride and futsal skills.

SPORTING EXCELLENCE

Congratulations to Holly Kaad-Ackers, Alysha Carey-Arcus and Helena Marginet who represented HPSS this week at the Pegasus Cup, the premium secondary schools show-jumping competition. The following write-up has been provided by Helena:

• Over the past few days we have been at Takapoto Estate show jumping venue representing HPSS for the Pegasus Cup 2025. This was a two-day event with three rounds overall. We all had such a fun time with decorations, riding at such a beautiful location, and the horses behaved well for their first big show. We loved being involved and riding for our school and we are looking forward to further opportunities to represent HPSS.

Isla Barker-Clarke (U13 Girls) and Finn MacEachern (U15 Boys) also proudly represented the NZ Barbarians contingent in the NZTFI Junior Oceania Tag tournament played at Bruce Pulman Park last weekend, showcasing incredible skill and determination. Over three intense days and 19 games between them, Isla secured a bronze medal while Finn claimed silver—an outstanding achievement for both!

CONNECTION - PICNIC UNDER THE TREES

On Sunday, 23 March, from 12.30pm the Hobsonville Point community is hosting a free community event, Picnic Under the Trees.  You are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the music under the beautiful trees at Hobsonville Point Park (on Buckley Ave, near Catalina Cafe).  The Wayne Taylor Band will play covers of songs by The Beatles, Elton John, Billy Joel, Lionel Ritchie plus some originals.

Importantly, HPSS’s own Emilee Crawford (Yr 13) will be performing solo at 1.00pm. Good luck Emilee for your performance!

INQUIRY - PHYSICS IN MOTION

On Monday, Q1 science students kicked off their first assessment with a trip to the Hayman Park Playground. Students were getting real world data around the physics of playground equipment, which will then inform the experiments they'll design in class.

KEY DATES 2025

Term 1 - Monday 3 February - Friday 11 April

• IEMs Year 9-13 (Individual Education Meetings with parent, student & hub coach) - Thursday 10 April & Friday 11 April. To make a booking, login to the SchoolBridge app or head to https://login.bridge.school.nz/ and login with the email address we use to contact you.  Click on the IEMs icon on SchoolBridge which will take you to "My Conferences"

Term 2 - Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June 

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

• Tuesday, 3 June - Staff Only Day

• Matariki – Friday 20 June

Term 3 - Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September 

• 25 August - Staff Only Day

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