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
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.