Dear North West College Parents and Caregivers,
A warm welcome to the start of Term 4!
We’ve had a wonderful first few weeks, and it’s been fantastic seeing how quickly the students have settled back into the rhythm of their daily learning and embraced the final academic stretch of the year.
Here at North West College, we fundamentally believe that creativity is intelligent, and intellect is creative. Whether they’re tackling complex equations or designing an exhibition piece, our students are learning to be innovative thinkers.
To fully develop these unique and crucial skills both academic and creative, consistent attendance is absolutely vital. Every day in the classroom is an opportunity to practice, refine, and connect ideas, making the 95% attendance target we aim for so important for their success and growth.
On the well-being front, our Term 4 assemblies are focusing heavily on Mental Health, covering essential life skills like mindful moments, managing friendships, and navigating social media. These sessions are designed to equip students with practical strategies to help them manage the difficult moments of daily life at school and beyond.
With the warmer months now upon us, please ensure your children have sunscreen applied before school and bring a hat for any outdoor activities or park trips we take during the week.
We also need your help with refuelling! We kindly ask that you review student lunches and snacks to ensure they are as healthy as possible. Fuel is everything, and we need our learners properly energised for a rigorous day of creative and academic activities. This week alone, we’ve witnessed a few too many sweets and large chip bags, and we want to ensure our students have the best possible focus.
Over the next two Wednesdays (Weeks 4 and 5), students will be participating in full-day Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) activities with their teachers. Please refer to the separate information that has been sent out regarding these days and do reach out if you have any questions. In Week 6, we will hold our highly engaging International Morning for students, where they will take part in activities centred around the seven continents, linking into our ‘Global Citizens’ theme. We will be holding a shared lunch for the students, and we’d love your support in sending in food for them to share. More information about what to send will follow closer to the time.
Finally, I wish you all a very safe and pleasant Labour Day Weekend with your families. We look forward to seeing all the students back, bright and ready to go, at 8:45 AM on Tuesday.
Best wishes,
Mrs. Randle
Years 7 and 8 English: Play Scripts and A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Year 8 are exploring A Midsummer Night’s Dream and writing their own play scripts, while Year 7 study how playwrights use stage directions.
Debating: Persuasive Speeches and Filmed News Reports
The debating group have been studying persuasive language, writing and filming news reports, and preparing for an inter-school debating event.
Visual Art: Mosaics for Citizens of the World
Visual Art students are designing cultural mosaics on MDF surfboards or circles, starting with research, tool safety and concept sketches.
Filming With Keep New Zealand Beautiful
On 21 October, 18 students filmed a national video for Keep New Zealand Beautiful, learning about the water cycle and auditing litter at Harbour View Reserve.
Poetry: Spot Poems, Five-Minute Conversations and Chalk on the Playground
Poetry students wrote Spot poems, turned five-minute interviews into poems for each other, and chalked words across the playground.
Year 9 and 10 English: Fantasy Writing and Exam Revision
Year 9 have been drafting fantasy narratives, with five student extracts below, while Year 10 revised Language and Literature for their exams.
Embroidery: Designing Badges for Citizens of the World
Embroidery students are designing a badge or patch on the Citizens of the World theme, starting with the Bayeux Tapestry and three basic stitches.
Introducing Project OmniScope
Fourteen Lincoln Road students are curating exhibition boxes on Earth and space, with field trips, journals and a Creative Arts Expo at term’s end.

















