Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back to the 2026 school year! It has been an incredibly calm and purposeful start to Term 1 across both our campuses. Seeing our students back in the “swing” of learning, reconnecting with peers and diving into their new subjects has been a highlight for all our staff.
There is a wonderful energy in the classrooms, and we are already seeing that momentum build as students settle into their routines.
As our college grows, we are delighted to introduce several new teachers and support staff who have joined the North West College team this term. I am pleased to welcome:
Lincoln Road Campus
- Maureen Sheldon: Mathematics
- Alex Wanliss: English
- Andrew Kingston: Global Perspectives, Teacher in Charge of Sport and EOTC
Universal Drive Campus
- Jo Sandler: Visual Art
- Robert Solomone: Global Perspectives and Geography
- Song Lee: Coordinated Sciences
- Paola Maldonado: Spanish
Administration and Reception
We are also pleased to welcome Keri Mackinnon to our reception team and offer an official NWC welcome to Rachael Malafu. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and passion to their respective roles, and they are already making a fantastic impact on our school culture.
Parent Volunteers Needed – Lincoln Road Site
As you may know, at Lincoln Road, we visit Te Pai Park daily as a way of getting students out of the building at lunchtime. Due to staff resources being split between the sites, we would like to ask for parent volunteers to accompany the duty teacher during these times in order to allow more students to get out more often. If you are available to support us between 12.50 and 1.40 pm any day of the week, please let Mrs Randles know so that we can begin to get students out more often.
Thank you for your continued support in making the start of this year so successful. We are excited for the journey ahead.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs M Randles | Principal
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.
