From Mophead to Metaphor
In Year 8, students have been building on their close reading skills by learning to annotate with purpose. They’ve read both Mophead and Mophead Tu by poet laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh, and closely analysed Unity, the poem she was asked to write for the Queen. Students can now confidently identify enjambment, similes, metaphors, couplets, tercets and are well on their way to mastering anaphora.
Year 9 students have completed their static image assignment, where they viewed a short digital clip and translated its core message into a visual poster. The work sparked some great discussions about perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and how a growth mindset helps us climb out of the learning pit. They’ve also extended their annotation skills to include hyperbole and assonance, deepening their understanding of both poetry and prose.
English
Years 7 and 8 English: Poetry and the Library Bus
Both year levels are working through poetic forms and literary devices, and the Auckland Libraries mobile bus called in again this week.
Creative Writing: Plots, Characters and Credible Detail
The Creative Writing cohort has been pulling apart the opening pages of well-known novels, then building plots and characters of their own.
Year 9 and 10 English: Shakespeare on Its Feet
Year 9 are turning Othello from page to stage through freeze frames, and Year 10 are preparing for the ASB Theatre production of Macbeth.
Years 7 and 8 English: Persuasive Speeches and the Mobile Library
Year 7 and 8 students have been writing and presenting persuasive speeches, and the Auckland Council mobile library bus called in at the school.
English Years 9 and 10: From Poetry to Analysis
Year 9s are constructing three-paragraph analytical essays using the BUG formula. Year 10s are working through Cambridge-level language analysis, learning to distinguish it from literary analysis.
Years 9 and 10 English: Ozymandias and the Passage-Based Essay
Year 9 and 10 students prepare for passage-based essays on Ozymandias and other poems, building both poetic analysis and essay-writing skills.
Wrapping Up the Artemis Inquiry
Year 7 and 8 students close their Artemis unit having mastered the inquiry process, with Artemis II’s launch now on the horizon.
Building Comprehension and Summary Skills in Years 9 and 10
Year 9 students are mastering the art of summarising, while Year 10s are developing the deeper reading and paraphrasing skills needed for Cambridge assessments.
Novel Study and PAT Results in English
Year 7 students are exploring identity and belonging through Wonder, while Year 8s are analysing I Am Malala. Both year groups completed PAT assessments in Week 5.
Cambridge English in Years 9 and 10: Reading Deeper
Year 9s are mastering summary and paraphrasing skills. Year 10s are working through Cambridge-level comprehension, learning how to use evidence, inversion, and concision to lift their answers.
Intro to Water Polo at West Wave
Waitakere Water Polo Club is running a five week introduction to water polo at West Wave. Two Sunday sessions remain, on 13 and 20 September.
Year 9 and 10 English: Storyboarding Othello and Reading Macbeth
Year 9 have storyboarded Othello scene by scene. Year 10 are working on Macbeth.
Year 9 and 10 Maths: Revising for the End of Year Exams
Year 9 are finishing units on data, measurement and fractions. Year 10 are on linear equations. Revision material will be available over the holidays.
Watercolour Painting Ahead of the College Expo
Students are working on individual watercolour pieces in the seminar room, choosing their best work for the College Expo on 18 September.
Itinerant Music Lessons: Term 4 Enrolments Open
The Lincoln Road music programme has run at capacity this term. Term 4 places are open to Year 7 and 8 families now.
Creative Writing: Choosing Genres and Designing Covers
The group are working on original stories in small groups, choosing their own genres and designing covers and illustrations for their books.
Years 7 and 8 English: Building Suspense and Drafting Narratives
Year 7 are drafting their own narratives after studying how authors build suspense. Year 8 have turned When the Mountains Roared into audio drama scripts.
Tree Adventures for Years 7 and 8
Years 7 and 8 spent 26 August on the high ropes at Tree Adventures, working through rope bridges and obstacles strung between the pines.
Book Day at Lincoln Road
Staff and students came dressed as their favourite book characters, in a day organised by Andrew Kingston and the student leaders.
From the Principal: Book Day, Coffee Mornings and the End of Term
Michelle Randles on Book Day at Lincoln Road, the next parent coffee morning, and the confirmed schedule for the last week of Term 3.
Absence Reminder
How to let the school know when your child is away, and what to do if they usually travel on a North West College bus.
Year 7 2027: Enrolments Are Open
Forty places for each year, every other level full. If you have a Year 6 child for 2027, applying early holds their place.
Intro to Water Polo at West Wave
Waitakere Water Polo Club is running a five week introduction to water polo at West Wave. Two Sunday sessions remain, on 13 and 20 September.
Year 9 and 10 English: Storyboarding Othello and Reading Macbeth
Year 9 have storyboarded Othello scene by scene. Year 10 are working on Macbeth.
Year 9 and 10 Maths: Revising for the End of Year Exams
Year 9 are finishing units on data, measurement and fractions. Year 10 are on linear equations. Revision material will be available over the holidays.
Watercolour Painting Ahead of the College Expo
Students are working on individual watercolour pieces in the seminar room, choosing their best work for the College Expo on 18 September.
Itinerant Music Lessons: Term 4 Enrolments Open
The Lincoln Road music programme has run at capacity this term. Term 4 places are open to Year 7 and 8 families now.
Creative Writing: Choosing Genres and Designing Covers
The group are working on original stories in small groups, choosing their own genres and designing covers and illustrations for their books.
Years 7 and 8 English: Building Suspense and Drafting Narratives
Year 7 are drafting their own narratives after studying how authors build suspense. Year 8 have turned When the Mountains Roared into audio drama scripts.
Tree Adventures for Years 7 and 8
Years 7 and 8 spent 26 August on the high ropes at Tree Adventures, working through rope bridges and obstacles strung between the pines.
Book Day at Lincoln Road
Staff and students came dressed as their favourite book characters, in a day organised by Andrew Kingston and the student leaders.
From the Principal: Book Day, Coffee Mornings and the End of Term
Michelle Randles on Book Day at Lincoln Road, the next parent coffee morning, and the confirmed schedule for the last week of Term 3.
Absence Reminder
How to let the school know when your child is away, and what to do if they usually travel on a North West College bus.
Year 7 2027: Enrolments Are Open
Forty places for each year, every other level full. If you have a Year 6 child for 2027, applying early holds their place.
