FROM THE PRINCIPAL

21st March, 2026

Dear HNHS families,


Firstly, a thank you to our wonderful Parent Teacher Association for all of the time and work that went into planning last Saturday's annual PTA quiz night.  As always, the event was a great deal of fun and much of that can be attributed to having expert quiz master Riggsy running the evening. 


Thanks to the generosity of countless local businesses, the evening was also successful in raising funds that we hope to put towards a new outdoor volleyball court for students to use during break times and physical education classes. 


I look forward to updating the community with progress on that project throughout the year.

ATHLETIC SPORTS 2026

SUMMER TOURNAMENT WEEK

The end of the summer sports season is marked by tournament week and it is pleasing to note that this year we have more students participating in tournaments around the country than has been the case in previous years.  The competitions begin with the canoe polo tournament being held over the weekend in Hastings.  As the photos suggest, our teams look well-placed for some fierce competition on the water. 


Also travelling away this year are our senior girls’ volleyball team, girls’ and boys’ futsal, triathlon, kayakers and for the first time, our very own waka ama team.  Good luck and safe travels to everyone involved.

NCEA EVENING - THURSDAY, 26TH MARCH

We are holding our annual NCEA Information Evening on Thursday this week (26th March).  While everyone is welcome to attend, the evening is particularly suited to parents and caregivers of Year 10 and 11 students.  Students are also welcome to come along too.


The evening will be held in our Auditorium and will run from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.  The format for the evening will be:


  • NCEA and how it works - Mr Ryan Nugteren (Acting Assistant Principal)
  • Literacy component - Mr Clancy Cummins (HOD English)
  • Numeracy component – Mrs Freya England (HOD Mathematics)


There will also be time for questions at the end of the presentations. 

2026 BIG DIG - SUNDAY, 29TH MARCH

We are busy planning our annual Big Dig next Sunday (29th March).  I hope that families are able to join us to help spruce up an area of the school that is in urgent need of some attention. 


The area we will be focusing on has inherited the name Hulls’ Hollow and we look forward to transforming the space into Hulls’ Happy Place after a few hours of hard work.   The Big Dig starts at 9am and if we have enough help, the job will be done well before lunchtime.  Any help is appreciated and I understand if families are only able to stay for an hour or so.  This is a fantastic opportunity for our junior students to complete the community service component of their diploma as well as giving back to their school community. 


Volunteers will need to bring a spade and wheelbarrow if possible, although we will have a few spares available.  We may also need a couple of trailers on the day if anyone can assist in this regard.


My thanks to the PPTA who will not only be helping out, but have also offered to bring along some home baking for morning tea. 


It was a pleasure to drop into school this morning to see Te Kapa Haka o Maungawharau in action.  This year’s roopu is perhaps the largest group we have seen in the school and credit to Kōkā Ripeka and our senior students for guidance and mentoring they offer our new junior students.  The three day wānanga continues until tomorrow afternoon and next weekend the group have a weekend noho so I would like to recognise just how much time the staff and students are investing in their performances this year.


Finally, my congratulations to the following students who all won titles at the ECNI Athletics Championships on Thursday last week.  A fantastic effort by all of our young athletes.

  • Willa Morton - JG Triple Jump
  • Maggie Thompson - IG 2KM Steeplechase
  • Lara Nicoll - IG High Jump
  • Charlotte Ovenden - IG 1500m
  • Sophie Wedd - IG 3000m
  • Braden Turei - IB 2000m Steeplechase
  • Luca Kipling - SB 800m
  • Maisie Simpson - SG 100mHurdles 
  • Anna Schmidt - SG Hammer and Discus 

Have a wonderful weekend,


Joel Wilton

Principal

KEY DATES

  • Saturday, 21st - Friday 27th March – Summer Tournament Week
  • Thursday, 26th March – NCEA Information Evening (school auditorium - all parents and whānau welcome to attend)
  • Sunday, 29th March - PTA Big Dig - all students, parents and caregivers are invited to come along and help with some gardening (9.00am start)
  • Sunday, 29th - Monday, 30th March – Year 13 Geography Field Trip
  • Monday, 30th - Tuesday, 31st March – Year 12 Geography Field Trip
  • Tuesday, 31st March – 2026 Open Evening (school closes at 1.00pm - evening starts at 6.00pm in the school gymnasium. All Year 12 and 13 students required to attend and meet in the lockwood gym at 5.45pm)
  • Wednesday, 1st April - Non-uniform Day for Cure Kids (gold coin donation)
  • Thursday, 2nd April – Last day of term