Principal’s Message

As we reach the final week of Term Three, it feels like the term has flown by. It has been a busy and challenging period, with students and staff navigating key academic milestones.

This term has seen the introduction of Level One digital submissions, another opportunity for students to complete Common Assessment Tasks, and the final push to complete internal assessments ahead of practice exams.

In the lead-up to the holidays, we have emphasised to students the importance of maintaining respect for both our school environment and their peers. Issues such as damage, littering, vaping, and inappropriate phone use—especially in toilets—have no place at our kura. We expect all students to uphold the values of respect and care for one another. The majority of our students do an outstanding job of this, and we must ensure that this culture of respect is the standard for everyone. I would also like to thank the caregivers who provided feedback on the toilet trial. Your voice matters to us as we strive to balance both community input and what we believe is in the best interest of all our students.

One area of ongoing concern is attendance. Unfortunately, the Waikato region continues to have the lowest attendance rates in the country, and this is something we must address together. Regular attendance is critical to student success, and each day at school contributes significantly to their learning and overall development. I urge families to recognize the long-term impact of absenteeism. We are here to support whānau in overcoming any barriers to attendance, with the help of our Student Engagement Officer and external agencies such as Bluelight for students whose attendance is at critical levels. In addition, our Cultural Diversity Liaison, Fazeel Aqil, is available to assist families from migrant backgrounds. If you need any guidance or support, please contact him at faqil@hillcrest-high.school.nz.

As we move closer to external exams, it’s vital that students begin or continue their revision. A structured study plan during the holidays will make a significant difference. For our juniors, Term Four will follow a regular teaching programme until Week 7, when junior exams will take place. These will be preceded by a Teacher Only day and a study day for students on Friday, 22nd November. After the exams, we are excited to offer a hands-on learning programme, with each faculty delivering practical, subject-aligned sessions over six days. Attendance during this period is just as important as at any other time, and it is essential that all students participate fully.

Term Four is also a time of celebration, with several award evenings planned to recognise student achievements. Please keep an eye on your emails for invitations if your child is receiving an award. The first of these events is the Māori Success evening on 17th October, and we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our rangatahi.

Finally, I’d like to address recent media reports regarding out-of-zone enrolments. Like many schools, Hillcrest High School has had to reduce the intake of out-of-zone students for 2025, and we will only be accepting up to Priority 2. As our community continues to grow rapidly, it is essential that we prioritise in-zone students to ensure we can secure the resources needed to serve our school. This will help us advocate for additional classrooms and staffing, which will ultimately benefit all of our students.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we head into Term Four. I wish everyone a restful break and look forward to seeing our students return, ready to tackle the final term of the year with energy and focus.