Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of another term, I want to thank you all for your continued support of us here at North West College. It has been an incredible term with a lot of achievements gained and excellence in academic and creative arts.
I would like to begin by congratulating our first AIMS games participants! Kayla and Ete took place in this year’s AIMS games on behalf of North West College. Ete competed in the gymnastics event and Kayla took part in the squash events. We are immensely proud of them and they represented us beautifully. It sounded like an amazing adventure and I know you as our community will be just as proud of them as we are at school. Congratulations to you both and well done on your excellent participation. I’m sure they have inspired a love of competing and getting involved in sports for our new intermediate aged students – well done girls!
As we head into the school holidays, I’d like to wish you all a safe and relaxing break with your families. We look forward to welcoming all students back on Monday 6th October 2025 at 8.45am.
Kind regards,
Mrs Randles
Term 3 Expo
The term 3 expo was a huge success! I want to thank all the families and community members who attended. It was wonderful to see so many of you there! I’d like to extend a huge thank you to our talented students who have worked extremely hard on some incredible projects this term – well done everyone!
Sun Safety
Next term, the weather will be heating up so this is a reminder that students will need to have hats to wear for days that we are outside. Also please remember to ensure students have sunscreen on – we do have some at school too.
Attendance
Regular attendance at school is important to your child’s success and there is a clear connection between going to school regularly and doing well in the classroom. Making sure students attend and engage in learning is a shared responsibility. As a parent, you are responsible for making sure your child attends school every day.
Arriving to school on time is essential for your child’s learning and development. The Ministry of Education has now set an attendance expectation with a goal of students missing no more than five days per term. As a school, and across New Zealand, we are now required to report daily attendance and track attendance patterns to ensure all students are engaging in their learning.
Celebrations
In addition to our excellent sporting champions, Imogen has been taking part in cheerleading competitions throughout the term. She has done immensely well and we are thrilled to report that in one of her recent competitions, her team placed second! Well done Imogen!!
Likewise, one of musicians Cohen, was the winner of the recent BandQuest competition. He was named best lead guitarist too! We are incredibly proud Cohen, well done!
Debating: News Stories, Persuasive Speeches and a Debate App
The debating group have been running debates, presenting news stories, and trying out a debate app built by Mr McFadyen.
Embroidery: First Patches Under Way
Embroidery students have started their own patches, from bagpipes and a cricket ball to a lime and a firefly.
Shakespeare Festival: Planning Begins for The Scottish Play
Students have started work on an SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival entry for Term 1 2027, reading the play and learning soliloquies.
Year 9 Digital Fluency: Vibe Coding With Real Developer Tools
Every Year 9 Digital Fluency student now works in Visual Studio Code and GitHub, using AI to design, test and improve their own games and apps.
Years 7 and 8 Maths: Revision Before the Exams
Year 7 have finished all 15 exam topics and Year 8 sit their exam on Tuesday. Students need a blue or black pen and a ruler.
Years 7 and 8 English: Play Scripts, Book Reviews and Exam Preparation
Year 7 are writing their own short plays, Year 8 are studying A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and both classes welcomed back the mobile library.
Spanish: The Impossible House and Year 10 Mock Exams
Year 9 are describing, selling and letting homes in The Impossible House role-play, and Year 10 sat Cambridge-style mock exams.
Global Perspectives: The Kids Election and the Global Energy Crisis
Years 7 and 8 have studied New Zealand’s political parties ahead of the Kids Election, and how shipping risks push up living costs here.
Raising Resilient Teenagers Together
Practical ways families can help students keep showing up, slow down on tasks and protect their sleep through the last weeks of the year.
Water Safety at Muriwai Lifeguard Station
Year 7 and 8 students spent the day with Muriwai lifeguards, learning to spot ocean hazards, stay calm and signal for help.


