Newsletter - 22 May 2026

From the Principal

Kia ora koutou,

As we reach the midpoint of Term 2 this newsletter provides a great opportunity for us to celebrate the ongoing commitment, engagement and hard work of our students, staff and community. This term has been rich with opportunity and achievement, and it has been a pleasure to see students engaging so positively in all aspects of school life. It has been fantastic to see our winter sports teams get their seasons underway with energy and determination. As always, we encourage our community to model respectful, positive support on the sidelines, cheering our teams on in a way that reflects our shared school values.

It has also been a fantastic time for the arts, and in particular music in our school. Last week, our band and singing groups performed at Uxbridge, representing our school with pride and excellence. Feedback on this event included: “The enthusiasm of your students willing to show us their own compositions and chosen songs was amazing and their voices beautiful… Your students had soul and we came away knowing we wouldn’t see anything better than this… They were the best.” This is a true testament to both the talent and hard work of our students and the dedication of our staff. Looking ahead, we are very excited for our production of Footloose, which opens next week! Tickets are available now from the school office, and I encourage you all to come along and support this outstanding showcase of student talent.

A key focus across the education sector at present is the upcoming changes to the New Zealand Curriculum and the introduction of new qualifications that will replace the NCEA from 2028. We recognise that these changes bring both opportunities and challenges, however we do have considerable concerns about how they will unfold. Please be assured that our staff and school leaders are actively working with the Ministry of Education to navigate this evolving landscape. We remain committed to engaging in professional learning, advocating for clarity, and ensuring that our students continue to receive an education of the highest standard throughout this period of change. At present, we are still working through the implications and details of these changes. We will continue to share updates with our students and families as information becomes available. As a school community, we are confident in our ability to face these changes with professionalism, collaboration, and a clear focus on what matters most: supporting every student to succeed and thrive now and into the future.

I would like to let our community know that I have been granted a sabbatical by the Ministry of Education, which will take place from 20 June to 14 September this year. I feel very fortunate to have this amazing opportunity to travel, undertake a strategic leadership course through Harvard University, and develop an AI strategy for our school so that we can continue to be innovative and inclusive into the future. During my absence, Ms Angela McCamish will step into the role of Acting Principal, supported by our experienced senior leadership team. I leave knowing the school is in caring and capable hands, and I look forward to reconnecting with you all on my return.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Louise Addison | Tumuaki

Student Leaders

As members of the academic committee, our role is to promote curiosity within the school community and to support students to achieve their best academic potential. Our main course of action for this is through study point. This year we have seen a great uptake, encouraged by an early term one start (the earliest we have ever begun) with a variety of students, most prominently in our senior levels, attending and getting the support they need. Beyond this, study point offers an environment for independent study, even if extra help isn’t required. As we lead into the end of term 2, and into a busy term 3 / exam prep season, we encourage anybody to come along!

Amy Wallace | Head of Academic Committee

This term, the Pastoral Committee proudly organised a Pink Shirt Day to support anti-bullying and promote inclusivity within Edgewater College. Through activities such as our poster competition and pink class photo competition, students came together to spread positive messages of kindness, respect, and acceptance. Congratulations to 12ED for winning the poster competition and to 11PS for taking out the best pink class photo award!

The Pastoral Committee’s goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where every student feels included, respected, and comfortable being themselves while upholding the value of Manaakitanga. We aim to encourage positive relationships, celebrate diversity within our school, and promote a culture of kindness and empathy. By organising events and initiatives like Pink Shirt Day, we hope to remind everyone of the importance of standing up against bullying and ensuring that all members of our school community feel valued and connected.

A big thank you to all the staff, committee members, and students who helped organise and support these activities, as well as everyone who participated and showed their support on the day. We look forward to bringing more exciting and meaningful events to the school throughout the year.

Cess Del Rosario | Pastoral Committee

Over the past few weeks, our school community committee has come together through a range of exciting activities celebrating culture, teamwork, and learning. Students showed creativity in the chalk art competition by honouring inspiring New Zealand figures such as Dame Whina Cooper, Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Āpirana Ngata, and Kate Sheppard. The basketball competition encouraged school spirit and teamwork, and we are now looking forward to the upcoming waiata competition and next Tuesday’s General Knowledge Competition.

Harlym-Hayes Korey | Community Committee

From the Teaching and Learning Team

CAA – Literacy and Numeracy / NCEA

The Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) are being held in our Hall during week 5. Students will be testing their Māia and Manawa reka against the NCEA co-requisite examinations in Reading, Writing and Numeracy.

These sit alongside NCEA credits to make up NCEA Level 1–3 qualifications. The assessments are available throughout secondary schooling in Years 9–13 and teachers work with students to enter them when they are ready to be assessed. Schools have two windows each year to assess students in May and September.

Results are externally marked and will show in the MyNZQA Learner Portal when available, with feedback reports available for students who do not achieve. The indicated release dates for results are: Reading June 25th at 3pm; Writing and Numeracy July 14th at 3pm.

From the Pastoral Team

Pink Shirt Day / How we treat bullying

Last Friday, our school proudly took part in Pink Shirt Day 2026, joining communities across New Zealand in standing against bullying and promoting kindness, respect, and inclusion. This year’s theme, “Sprinkle Kindness,” encouraged everyone to show compassion through everyday actions and positive interactions.

Students and staff came together dressed in pink to show their support for creating a safe and welcoming environment for all. Throughout the day, classrooms and shared spaces were filled with messages of encouragement, friendship, and acceptance. The event reminded us that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

Bullying Prevention and Support at Edgewater College

At Edgewater College, we take the wellbeing of our students very seriously. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where every young person feels respected and supported. Whenever concerns are raised about behaviour, we investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action, both to address the immediate situation and to prevent it from happening again.

As a relatively small school, we pride ourselves on being a connected community, our kura is a whānau. This strong sense of belonging means that instances of bullying are rare. However, we remain vigilant and proactive in addressing any behaviours that may impact student wellbeing.

It is important to understand what bullying is. Bullying is defined as prolonged, repeated, and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a person or group, involving a misuse of power, and resulting in physical or psychological harm. It can take place face-to-face, online (cyberbullying), or in other settings.

We also recognise that not all unkind or mean behaviour meets this definition. Young people sometimes experience conflict or say things that are hurtful, even if not intentionally bullying. While we make clear distinctions between bullying and one-off or less severe incidents, we take all mean or harmful behaviour seriously and respond accordingly.

To address concerns, we use a range of approaches, including restorative practices with individuals or groups where appropriate. Our aim is always to repair relationships, build understanding, and support positive behaviour moving forward.

We are fortunate to have strong support networks in place for our students. These include our counsellors, nurses, social worker, doctor, Mentor teachers, Deans, and Senior Leadership Team. Because we know our students well, we are able to respond quickly and effectively to concerns and minimise any long-term impact.

Cyberbullying Awareness

We know that bullying can also occur online. Cyberbullying may happen through social media, gaming platforms, messaging apps, or other digital spaces. We encourage families to:

Keep open conversations with their children about online behaviour
Remind students to save evidence (such as screenshots)
Report harmful content directly on the platform where possible

If cyberbullying involves our students, please report it to the school so we can investigate and take appropriate action. You can also seek support and advice from Netsafe (www.netsafe.org.nz), who provide expert guidance and help resolve online safety issues.

Working Together

If you have any concerns about behaviour affecting your child, whether at school or online, please contact us. Early communication allows us to respond promptly and effectively. You can reach out to your child’s Mentor teacher, Dean, or any member of our pastoral or Senior Leadership team.

By working together, we can ensure Edgewater College remains a safe, respectful, and caring place for all.

Winter Uniform Reminder

As we move into the winter season, we would like to remind all students and whānau of our school uniform expectations.

Please note:

Jerseys must not have sleeves cut off or altered in any way
Vests must not be worn
Shoes must be plain black with no colour or logos
Socks must not be worn with sandals

If a student arrives at school in incorrect uniform, they are expected to report to the Dean’s Room (A09) before school so we can organise appropriate uniform items for the day. A uniform pass will not be issued.

We understand that there may sometimes be ongoing challenges with accessing correct uniform items. Our school is committed to supporting students and families where needed, and we encourage whānau to contact the school if support is required.

Bike and E-Scooter Safety Reminder

To help keep all students safe when travelling to and from school, we would like to remind families that students riding bicycles or e-scooters to school must always wear a properly fitted helmet.

Helmets are an important part of protecting students from serious head injuries and support our commitment to student health and safety. We also encourage students to:

Ride carefully and follow road and footpath rules
Be aware of pedestrians and other road users
Ensure their bike or e-scooter is in safe working condition
Park bikes and e-scooters responsibly in designated areas

We appreciate the support of parents and caregivers in reinforcing these important safety expectations with students.

From Sommerville School

On Tuesday 5th May our Kaupapa Māori whānau mentor and Kapa Haka students from Te Kāreti o Te Tahawai had the opportunity to showcase Te Reo Māori by singing and signing Wairua Tapu for the Sommerville students who are a part of our community.

Kōkā Angela and Pāpā Hoani took us to celebrate New Zealand Sign Language Week. Before going to meet the Sommerville kaiako and students, Kōkā Angela taught us the importance of learning the official languages of Aotearoa - Te Reo Māori and NZSL. Kōkā also shared with us about the importance of kindness, empathy and community. It was a great learning experience for all Ākonga and we look forward to visiting again soon.

Recent events

Celebrating Academic Excellence

On Thursday, 30 April, our school proudly celebrated the achievements of Hezekiah MaeCarza and Cess Del Rosario, who attended the 2026 Academic Awards Night hosted by the Ministry of Education’s Community Partnerships Team in partnership with Auckland Council and ARCC.

The event recognised high-achieving Auckland secondary students from diverse ethnic backgrounds who demonstrated exceptional dedication and academic success in their 2025 studies, including achievements in NCEA Level 2 (or higher), International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge examinations.

The evening also celebrated the strong partnerships fostered through the Learning Community Hubs, which continue to strengthen connections between families, communities, schools, and agencies in supporting student success.

We congratulate Hezekiah and Cess on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for representing our school with pride.

Celebrating Isabella Tabu’s Representative Selection in Netball

We are proud to share that Isabella Tabu has been selected for the 2026 HPNC Representative Netball – U16 Maroon Team. This is an outstanding achievement, as the HPNC representative programme is a high-performance pathway that recognises talented and dedicated athletes. Isabella is also currently part of the EC Green Netball Team, who remain undefeated so far in the Wednesday Secondary School Competition – College A grade. Congratulations Isabella on your hard work and success!

Edgewater Jazz Band Performs at Fridays@Twelve Concert Series

On Friday 15th May the Edgewater College Music took 28 students to perform at the Uxbridge Theatre in Howick as part of their lunchtime Concert Series. The audience had the opportunity to hear from our amazing Jazz Band, soloists and small ensembles.

The concert opened with a great rendition of Adele’s ‘All I Ask’ performed by Esther Fa’alava, followed by a number of pieces from our award winning Jazz band. Other vocal and instrumental soloists included Amy Wallace, Ella Kelly, Shayne Scanlan, Jaden Pineda, Zoe Green, Jane Manase, Michelle Mills and Nathanael Leota. It was also a great opportunity for two of our Year 11 students; Kaltee Niusila and Sarah Atta Seiuli to perform their original song which was a premiere.

Thank you to any family and friends who managed to come along and support our students.

We hope to see you all there NEXT WEEK for our School Production ‘FOOTLOOSE’ taking the stage from Tuesday 26th - Friday 29th May.

Edgewater College Senior Ball 2026 – A Night with the Oscars

On Friday 2 May 2026, the Edgewater College Senior Ball transformed the Ellerslie Racecourse into a glamorous Hollywood-inspired celebration. With the theme “A Night with the Oscars”, Year 12 and 13 students, alongside EC staff, enjoyed an unforgettable evening filled with music, laughter, and red-carpet moments.

Students arrived in stunning gowns and sharp suits, making their way through a lively red-carpet entrance complete with interviews, photos, and dancing. By 7:00 PM, the dance floor was already buzzing as guests celebrated together before enjoying a delicious dinner with friends and staff.

Throughout the night, the DJ kept the energy high while photo booths captured memorable Oscar-style moments. One of the evening’s highlights was the announcement of the Senior Ball award winners, which was met with huge cheers and celebration.

Award Winners

King: Siaosi Tui
Duke: Cortez Lo
Queen: Hanah Bintancor
Duchess: Mele Ta’ofi
Best Dressed: Oscar Johannson & Arhon Berino
Best Group: Sulia, Havaghn, Angel & Angel
Best Dancer: Armando Gonzales

The Edgewater College Senior Ball 2026 was truly a night to remember, bringing students and staff together to celebrate in style and create lasting memories.

Whānau Chalk Art Competition 2026

The Whānau Chalk Art Competition was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and artistic talents while celebrating the achievements of their whānau leaders. This year’s prompt, “Draw an artwork that represents the great achievements of your whānau leader,” inspired an amazing range of colourful and thoughtful creations. There was a wonderful atmosphere throughout the event, with an incredible turnout of enthusiastic students taking part. Thank you Miss Takahashi for organising a great event for our students.

A special thank you to our judges, Miss Holland, Miss Cunningham, Miss Benjamin, and Miss McKay, for staying behind to carefully deliberate and select the placings. After much discussion, the results were:

1st - Sheppard

2nd - Hillary

3rd - Cooper

4th - Ngata

Congratulations to Sheppard on taking out first place!

Whānau Basketball Competition 2026

As we continue to build strong participation and high expectations around our sports-based whānau competitions, much like our Athletics Day, it was great to see students getting involved and representing their whānau in Whānau basketball.

Participation plays a key role in these events, and we encourage all students to take part regardless of skill level. These competitions are about involvement, effort, teamwork, and creating positive experiences together as a school community.

Congratulations to our overall Whānau Basketball placings:

1st - Hillary
2nd - Sheppard
3rd= - Cooper and Ngata

We have more exciting sporting events coming up, so we look forward to seeing everyone continue to get involved. On to the next one we go!

Pink Shirt Day

This week, Edgewater College proudly came together to celebrate Pink Shirt Day, a schoolwide initiative led by the Pastoral Committee in partnership with the Community Committee and staff members. Held across May 12 and May 15, the event promoted the important message: “Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying.”

Throughout the week, students and staff participated in a range of activities designed to celebrate diversity, encourage kindness, and strengthen inclusivity across our school community.

During Extended Mentor Time on Tuesday, mentor classes collaborated to create A3 anti-bullying posters that reflected the values of respect, empathy, and standing up for others. Students worked creatively as teams, with many classes continuing their posters throughout the week before submitting them for judging. The competition encouraged students to express their voices and ideas about what a safe and inclusive school environment looks like. Congratulations to 12ED, who were awarded Best Anti-Bullying Poster for their creative and meaningful design that strongly captured the theme: “Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying.”

On Friday, the school was filled with a sea of pink as students and staff proudly wore pink-themed clothing to show solidarity against bullying and harassment. Mentor classes also took part in the “Best Dressed Mentor Class” challenge, where participation, creativity, and team spirit were celebrated through class photos submitted by mentor teachers. Congratulations to 11PS for winning the Best Dressed Mentor Class award through their outstanding participation, enthusiasm, and school spirit.

Overall, Pink Shirt Day was a meaningful success that highlighted the power of unity and student voice at Edgewater College. The event reminded us of all that small acts of kindness, inclusion, and courage can make a significant difference in creating a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

IS Class Spreads the Love for Mother’s Day!

On Friday, May 8th, the IS classroom was transformed into a bustling workshop of creativity and gratitude. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, our students dedicated the afternoon to crafting heartfelt surprises for the special women in their lives.

From Paper to Presents

The session began with the intricate art of origami. Students carefully folded vibrant sheets of paper to create custom gift boxes. While the folds required patience and precision, the effort was well worth it! To make each gift truly unique, every student tucked a personal, handwritten message inside their box, expressing their love and appreciation in their own words.

A Sweet Finishing Touch

Of course, no gift is complete without a little treat! Once the boxes were ready, the class moved on to cookie decorating. Using an array of colourful icing, students turned simple cookies into edible masterpieces. These sweet additions were carefully packed into the handmade boxes, ready to be gifted.

"It was so much fun to make. I can’t wait to see my mom's face when she opens it!" — IS Student

More Than Just a Gift

The energy in the room was electric. More than just a craft project, this was an opportunity for our students to reflect on everything their mothers and maternal figures do for them. We were all very excited to take these treasures home and show these remarkable women exactly how much they mean to us.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our wonderful school whānau!

Footloose Production

Get ready to cut loose! Edgewater College proudly presents Footloose — a high-energy musical packed with unforgettable songs, electrifying dance, and a powerful story about standing up for what you believe in

Tickets on sale now from school reception for $10 each.

Show times:

Tuesday 26th May - 7pm
Wednesday 27th May - 7pm
Thursday 28th May - 7pm
Friday 29th May - 7pm

Year 13 Social Science

On Wednesday 6 May, the Year 13 Social Science students took a trip to the Manukau District Court. This was an excellent opportunity to learn about the realities of the justice system and to sit in on a few different cases. Similarly, to see such diversity and representation in court staff and how they support so many individuals on a daily basis. There were a lot of questions from students afterward about careers and opportunities within courts too.

A highlight of the trip was getting to meet two judges who spoke about their day-to-day and how they manage their mental health is such a challenging role.

Exploring the Future of Humanity in Year 9 Future Studies

Our Year 9 Future Studies students have been exploring the fascinating topic of how humanity may change in the future, with a particular focus on human modification and advances in science and technology. Through a combination of practical laboratory work, class discussions, and literacy-based reflection activities, students have been encouraged to think critically about the possibilities and ethical challenges that may shape future societies.

One of the highlights of the unit was a hands-on laboratory experience where students learned how to correctly use microscopes and observe plant cells from onion and celery samples. This practical investigation gave students an introduction on cells and DNA, while also building confidence in using scientific equipment and following laboratory procedures.

Following the lab work, students engaged in thought-provoking discussions about the ethical and non-ethical aspects of human modification. Topics included questions around genetic engineering, designer babies, body enhancements, and the impact of technology on human identity and equality. Students were encouraged to consider different perspectives, justify their opinions, and respectfully debate real-world issues connected to the future of humanity.

To strengthen literacy skills, students also completed reflection and writing tasks where they expressed their personal viewpoints using evidence and structured explanations. These activities allowed students to connect scientific learning with critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning.

The Future Studies programme continues to provide students with opportunities to explore meaningful global issues while developing curiosity, collaboration, and future-focused thinking skills.

Gateway - Forklift Work Experience

We would like to congratulate our group of Year 13 boys on successfully completing their forklift work experience.

Through their dedication, which included getting up before 7am every day, students earned their official NZ forklift licenses as well as 14 credits at level 3. They also experienced hands-on industry work in cabin construction and warehousing logistics, well done.

Year 12 Leadership Camp 2026

We are pleased to share details of the upcoming Year 12 Leadership Camp, which will take place at Willow Park Christian Camp, Eastern Beach, during Week 2 of next term, from Thursday 30th to Friday 31st. This camp will provide all Year 12 students with valuable opportunities to build confidence, strengthen communication skills, develop leadership qualities, and foster positive relationships with their peers.

The cost of the camp is $30, which will contribute towards activities, accommodation, resources, and other camp-related expenses. We are grateful to be able to provide experiences such as this for our tamariki. Please note that all Year 12 students are required to attend this experience as part of the school curriculum – it is the highlight of the year for many of our students and is will also be used to support us in choosing school leaders for 2027.

Further information, including permission forms and camp details, will be shared by the Year 12 Dean, Ms Cook, in the coming weeks.

For any questions or further information, please contact:

Email: [email protected] Mobile: 021 1883 131

Book of the Week

I had the pleasure of accompanying students to the Auckland Writer's Festival last week. It was a great event, with some excellent speakers.

The first was Gilbert Enoka, the mental performance coach for the All Blacks. His book- Become Unstoppable, is my choice for Book of the Week. This book is a guide to mental toughness and resilience. You might see All Blacks and think this book is not for you, maybe because you don't like rugby, maybe because you are not interested in sports psychology, but I think many of you will be surprised! This book is very accessible, the frameworks laid out are simple and backed by stories rather than scientific jargon.

A (signed!) copy is available in the library. Come check it, and other books from the Writer's Festival, out now!

Tara Holland | School Librarian

Sport

Winter sport is well and truly underway now, and it has been great to see the season getting off to such a positive start. Some teams have already had some really consistent wins, which is a great reward for all the effort being put in at training and on game day.

It is also fantastic to see so many students representing our school with such pride and commitment each week. The way students are supporting each other, competing with respect, and giving their best effort is something to be really proud of.

Sport cannot happen without all the behind the scenes work that goes into making it happen each week. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful coaches and managers who make this possible. Their time, energy, and ongoing commitment is greatly appreciated, especially as many of them are giving up time with their own families so that sport at Edgewater College can go ahead smoothly each week.