NCEA CHANGES & PRESENTATION

Year 9 families will no doubt be aware that last term, the government confirmed the replacement of NCEA with a new system from the beginning of 2028.  Our current year 9 students will be the first cohort to follow the new system. Like many schools across New Zealand, we submitted a comprehensive feedback document last year in response to the proposed changes.  Unfortunately, many of the details that we had hoped would be included in the most recent announcement were not.  We remain hopeful that further information will be provided to schools this term to enable us to plan accordingly and ensure that students are well prepared for the new qualification. 

What is clear is that Level 1 NCEA will not be available to our year 9 students in 2028.  Students will be required to complete a Foundational Award focusing on literacy and numeracy which is likely to be based on the corequisite literacy and numeracy examinations already in place.  At HNHS, our focus will be on covering essential content and meeting the prerequisites for further study at years 12 and 13 as well as supporting students to develop the skills and work habits needed to be successful learners in the senior school and beyond.

NCEA remains in place for Year 10 – 13 students.  Families of these students may find the presentation delivered during our NCEA Evening last term of interest.  It can be accessed through our school website or using the link below and covers some of the key points about NCEA including the literacy and numeracy corequisites examinations.

CHANGES AROUND THE CAMPUS

Over the holiday break, the final touches have been made to the music block and I am pleased to say that it will be open and operational when students come back to school tomorrow.  The renovation has improved the look and feel of the foyer and rehearsal spaces and we were also able to improve the acoustic treatment of the rooms.  Like most school property projects, this work was well overdue and I know that in a school like ours the new rooms will be put to good use by our young musicians. 

Students might also notice some new concrete that has been laid in the 100 block courtyard.  While not the most glamourous of projects, the purpose was to improve the drainage in this area.  I am pleased to say that we will no longer need to contend with the flooding that occurred in this space whenever it rained.  Students who have been around the school for a few years will appreciate that this has been pretty unsightly and inconvenient in the past.

UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS

Families will be accustomed to my end of holiday request to ensure that everyone starts the term positively and to limit the number of uniform issues we need to contend with on day one. 

Our uniform code is clear and the intention is always to maintain consistent expectations and standards.  The main issues we contend with seem to be jewellery, makeup and hair and the rules around each of these are clearly outlined in the uniform code which can be viewed by clicking the link below.  

I would also like to ask that parents andcaregivers to support us in ensuring that students wear the uniform correctly from the time they leave home in the morning until they return home in the afternoon.  The representation of our school in the community is just as important as it is within the school gates and I encourage every student to recognise their role as an ambassador of the school.

Finally, my thanks again to everyone who helped with our Big Dig last term which made a huge difference to the areas now known as Hulls’ Happy Place and Smith’s Sanctuary!   I caught up with several past students who were attending the National Youth Drama School at our school over the break and each of them commented on all of the improvements that had been made around the school in recent years.  Many of these have required the time, energy and support of our community.

Have a wonderful start to the week,

Joel Wilton

Principal

KEY DATES

• Monday, 20th April - Term Two starts
  
• Monday, 27th April - ANZAC Day Observed (students do not attend school)
  
• Tuesday, 28th April - Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting - 7pm in staffroom
  
• Sunday, 3rd & Monday 4th May - Silver Duke of Edinburgh Practice Expedition
  
• Sunday 3rd April - HBSSO Rogaine Champs
  
• Friday, 8th May - HAVESTOCK (Non-uniform day - 60's theme)
• Sunday, 10th - Tuesday, 12th May - Year 12 Geography Trip
• Wednesday, 13th May - Year 10 Trade Fair (4.30pm in rooms 102 and 103)
• Tuesday, 19th May - Thursday, 21st May - Literacy and Numeracy Corequisite Examinations (Year 10 and some 11, 12 and 13 students)
• Wednesday, 27th May - Year 9 & 10 Interim Reports emailed home
• Friday, 29th May - Teacher Only Day
• Monday, 1st June - King's Birthday (students do not attend school)
• Wednesday, 3rd & Thursday, 4th June - Year 13 History Trip 
• Friday, 5th June - Year 11 - 13 Progress Reports emailed home
• Tuesday, 9th June - Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting - 7pm in staffroom
• Tuesday, 16th June - Year 11 - 13 Parent Consultation Evening (online - school finishes at 1.00pm, consultations from 2.30 - 6pm)
  
• Wednesday, 17th June - Big Sing Regionals
  
• Monday, 29th June - Thursday, 2nd July - Talent Quest Heats (lunchtimes)
• Thursday, 2nd July - Talent Quest Final (7.00pm in auditorium)
• Friday, 3rd July - Last day of term two