Term 4 - Week 2
From the Principal
Kia ora e te whānau
It has been wonderful to see the outstanding progress our senior students have made this year, particularly in NCEA Literacy and Numeracy. Our Year 13 students currently are sitting at 99% for Numeracy and 92% for Literacy, with results from the latest Common Assessment task still to be released by NZQA. Over the next three weeks we have additional workshops for all senior students to support them in gaining both these important qualifications, as well as NCEA Levels 2 and 3 and University Entrance. Our recent results show strong improvement across all year levels, reflecting the commitment and hard work of both our students and staff. Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved for the focused teaching, learning, and support that has made this success possible.
For our senior students, this is a very important time of year as they work hard to complete their qualifications and prepare for their external examinations. The effort, perseverance, and focus shown across classes is impressive, and we encourage all students to keep pushing toward their goals.
For our junior students, this term is equally vital - a time to focus on the key learning that is needed to support you in ultimately gaining strong NCEA qualifications. Attendance is essential so your support in ensuring we continue to “Strive for Five” and are on time and onsite every day to get the most from your learning. We are also very much looking forward to our Year 10 Adventure camp in Week 7 this term – further information will be provided to students and their families this week.
As we head into the final weeks of the school year, we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students at our upcoming prizegivings, with our Co-curricular Prizegiving at 6.30 pm next Wednesday 22 October, and the Senior Academic Prizegiving at 6 pm on Wednesday 29 October. We also have an Art Exhibition showcasing the artistic talents of our students from 3 – 6 pm on Tuesday 21 October. These events are a special opportunity to recognise academic excellence, artistic talents and co-curricular success - a true reflection of the talent, effort, and spirit within our school community. I look forward to celebrating these events with our Edgewater College whānau.
Louise Addison | Tumuaki
Student Leaders
As the last term commences, senior students go into study leave and prepare for their exams. This term has become bittersweet as year 13 students say goodbye to their teachers and friends while also juggling pressure of exam preparations and completing qualifications. So, please remember to empathise and be kind to each other during this crunch time. Take breaks when needed and set aside some time for yourself to avoid burnout before you sit your exams.
It is hard not to feel a mix of emotions: pride for how far we have come, gratitude for the people who have supported us, and a touch of sadness as we prepare to leave behind a place that has been our second home. The memories we have made, from laughter in the gym to quiet moments of reflection, will stay with us long after the uniforms are gone. Edgewater has been more than just a school; it has been a community that has us grow, discover who we are, and learn what it truly means to care for others.
From Charlize and Naadirah, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our peers, teachers and the amazing Edgewater Community. These 5 years have been so memorable and unforgettable, shaping not only our education, but also the people we’ve become along the way. It has been a privilege to serve as your 2025 Head Students of Edgewater College.
From the Teaching and Learning Team
NCEA Focus weeks
Over the next three weeks, all senior students will take part in NCEA Focus Weeks - a structured period designed to help every learner reach their qualification goals. During this time, students will follow specialised timetables tailored to their individual progress and subject needs. The aim is to maximise readiness for upcoming external exams and ensure every opportunity is provided to complete internal assessments, strengthen literacy and numeracy, and secure key credits before the end of the year.
These Focus Weeks bring together targeted workshops, one-on-one support, and small-group learning across all senior subjects. Students will engage in exam preparation sessions, subject-specific tutorials, and credit catch-up opportunities with teachers. Literacy and numeracy workshops will also support those finalising co-requisites essential for NCEA endorsement or progression.
From a teaching and learning perspective, these weeks are about ensuring equity of access and success. Our Teaching and Learning team have used achievement data to identify priorities and design programmes that respond directly to student needs. By focusing on personalised pathways, clear expectations, and high-quality feedback, we aim to see every learner finish the year with confidence, strong outcomes, and a sense of pride in their progress.
Aiming for Gold in Our Graduate Profile
At Edgewater College, we are proud of the way our students grow into confident, capable, and connected young people - living out our school values of Māia, Manaakitanga, and Manawa Reka every day. Our Graduate Profile Awards celebrate this journey, recognising achievement across our Learning Capabilities, Ownership of Learning, Attendance and Punctuality. Students can earn Bronze, Silver, or the prestigious Gold Award by consistently demonstrating excellence and embodying our values in all aspects of school life.
To achieve Gold, students need to go above and beyond: earning 26+ points in our Learning Capabilities, 22+ points in Ownership of Learning, and maintaining 90%+ Attendance and Punctuality. These criteria reward effort, engagement, and leadership - not just academic results. Gold Award students show outstanding character and citizenship (Rangatiratanga and Kaitiakitanga), communicate and collaborate effectively (Kōrerorero and Whakawhanaungatanga), and demonstrate creativity and critical thinking (Auahatanga and Māramatanga). These are important skills for enabling success not just at Edgewater College but in their lives beyond our school gates.
Every student has the opportunity to reach Gold by striving for excellence every day - turning up, working hard, showing respect, and taking ownership of their learning. Completing all classwork to the best of your ability, being organised and prepared, and engaging actively in learning all contribute to your success. With determination, consistency, and the Edgewater spirit, every student can shine — and proudly achieve Gold in our Graduate Profile Awards.
From the Pastoral Team
Haka Waiata Competition
Our Haka Waiata Wero 2025 was a vibrant celebration of whānau spirit and a powerful expression of our commitment to cultural responsiveness. It was an opportunity to honour our shared heritage and reflect on the direction we are heading as a community.
In the lead up to the event, our whānau groups dedicated time to rehearsing our school waiata, with students and members of our Kapa Haka rōpū also preparing for the haka performance. On the day, the atmosphere was filled with energy and pride as each whānau gave their all, fine-tuning their voices and performances for the competition.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated and supported the event. A special acknowledgment goes to our Tumuaki, Ms Addison and Matua Turei, for their role as judges in the waiata section of the day.
Congratulations to Ngata for taking out the top spot in the 2025 Haka Waiata Competition! We look forward to seeing this incredible spirit return in next year’s event.
From Sommerville School
Special Kura Festival
Last term, the Sommerville Satellite Unit from Edgewater College proudly took part in the Special Kura Festival, performing Kapa Haka.
Our ākonga dedicated a whole term to weekly practices at our Tripoli kura, preparing with commitment and enthusiasm. The Festival was truly special, bringing together all special schools, with proud whānau in the audience cheering us on. Our performers stepped up with confidence, overcame stage fright, and gave their very best in representing our kura – a moment of pride for everyone involved!
We truly embraced and showcased our school values – Kia Hono, Kia Māia!
School Events
SHINE - Annual Music Showcase Concert
This year’s annual music concert ‘SHINE’ once again did not disappoint. On Thursday 9th October, we saw our flagship groups (EC Voices, EC Jazz band) and soloists and duets take to the stage to showcase what they had been working on throughout the year.
It was a packed hall, and we witnessed nearly 2 hours of top-quality performances from a range of singers, pianists, sax, and bass players and more. It was amazing to see so many students taking part throughout the night, some jumping between the band, choir and then performing as soloists.
A big congratulations to our debut performers who were nervous but performed so well. Music is certainly alive and well at Edgewater.
Music Tour
At the end of Term 3, the Edgewater College Music Department took off on our annual tour around the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
With a record 72 students on tour this year it was an action packed three days, and was a great opportunity for our jazz bands, choir, and soloists to gain performance experience and share their music with local primary schools and retirement villages. Our audiences loved it too, and some of them even remembered our students from when we were here a few years ago!
It was a super full on, fun three days of performance and travel but our EC students kept up a great attitude and hardly ever complained – even when Mr Holmes made us do the “short” bush walk through the Karangahake Gorge! Our sincere thanks to the amazing music department and our teachers that support this amazing annual event and give our students the opportunities to showcase their talent and hard work.
Whanau ‘Spelling Bee’ competition 2025
The 2025 Whānau Spelling Bee Competition was held in the library this week and saw strong participation from all four of our whānau houses. A huge thank you goes to Mr Thomson for organising the event, as well as to our dedicated whānau leaders for their support. Much like the spirit shown in our Haka Waiata competition, students brought enthusiasm and teamwork to the spelling bee. Congratulations to Ngata, who emerged as the overall winners!
McDonald's Work Experience
As an introduction to the hospitality industry, our Year 11 Gateway students took a major step forward by working in popular roles at local McDonald’s restaurants. Their responsibilities included preparing fries, burgers, and hash browns, managing orders, and assisting with the daily operations of the restaurant. Through this experience, they gained valuable practical skills and earned 17 NCEA Level 2 credits. A job well done!
Book of the Week
This week I have chosen Divine Mortals by Amanda M. Helander. This is an excellent debut novel by this author.
Divine Mortals follows Mona, who has been chosen by the gods, and been given the ability to divine soulmates. When the king is dying and in need of a quick marriage, Mona is brought in to discover his soulmate, only to have her name appear! Mona has to keep this a secret, while also avoiding multiple assassination attempts and the usual high-stakes of a royal court.
I loved this book as the protagonist is not perfect. Mona makes bad decisions, lies, cheats and doesn't particularly want to help people. It was very refreshing for a narrative voice. I am eagerly awaiting the second book in this duology, but for now, check out Divine Mortals in our current New Books display.
Tara Holland | School Librarian
Sport
Sport in Term 4 has kicked off with plenty happening already.
In Week 1, we attended the Auckland Secondary Schools 7s Rugby Tournament at Ōtāhuhu College, entering both a Senior Boys’ and a Girls’ team. It was a tough day on the field with some challenging competition, but our players gave it their best and represented the school with pride. A standout moment came from Girls’ captain, Claudia Kouka (Year 12), who scored one of the tries of the tournament with a remarkable solo effort against Saint Kentigern College. Claudia’s calm leadership, both on and off the field, has been instrumental in guiding this young team — for some of whom, it was their very first time playing rugby.
Junior Volleyball has also started this term. The Girls’ team had a win against Elim and a loss to St Kent’s, while the Boys’ team faced two strong sides from Pakuranga and Elim.
We’re now looking forward to the upcoming Junior Tag and Junior 7’s events later in the term.
Edgewater College Events
Community Events / Notices
Kia Manawaroa education pānui
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