In today’s newsletter we have the following:
Senior Leadership Team
Principal News
Kia ora e te whānau,
Wow – Week 6 already and the term is absolutely flying by! It has certainly been a very busy and positive few weeks here at ANI.
This week, we have had a strong focus on Health and Wellbeing, with many of our staff and students running wellbeing activities during lunchtimes across the school. It has been fantastic to see so many of our tauira involved and enjoying these opportunities. Bringing wellbeing to the forefront of our tauira’s thinking is really important so that it becomes something they prioritise as they move through each day.
Over the past two years we have been working with Mitey, a mental health education resource, and it has been wonderful to see our kura grow from simply doing Mitey activities to truly being a Mitey school. This week has been another important step in our journey to continue prioritising mental wellbeing for everyone in our community.
It was also great to finish the week with our mufti day, where we all came dressed in green to show our support for wellbeing. Ngā mihi to all of our whānau who supported this day and helped make it such a positive way to wrap up the week.
Another highlight was hosting Shaun Quincey (Adventurer and Businessman), who spoke to all of our tauira about our āhua Māramatanga – Our Learning Journey, particularly the idea that “I have a growth mindset and persist when things get challenging.”
Shaun is one of only two people who have rowed solo across the Tasman Sea. During his kōrero he shared the realities of that journey and just how challenging it was. For example, he originally expected to travel around 2,700km, but the reality was closer to 5,000km, with ocean currents pushing him backwards for 30 of the 54 days he was at sea.
Despite the challenges, Shaun spoke about the behaviours and mindsets that helped him succeed. These included:
- Believing he could achieve his goal
- Being grateful for the opportunity
- Maintaining strong routines
- Having a clear plan
These ideas really resonated with our tauira. As Shaun shared, it doesn’t matter how big or small the challenge is — these habits are important for all of our learning journeys. I encourage you to talk with your tamariki about what they took away from his kōrero.
Earlier in the term we also had a staff only day, and I wanted to provide a bit more context about what this involved. I understand that staff only days can place pressure on whānau, and we appreciate your support. However, they are incredibly important opportunities for us to continue building the capability of our staff so that we can provide the best possible learning experiences for our tauira.
Our focus for the day was on using data to better understand and respond to the needs of every learner — not just the majority, but each individual tauira. At ANI we draw on multiple sources of information to build a full picture of student learning and wellbeing.
For example, we track academic progress through assessments such as e-asTTle and PROBE, alongside Overall Teacher Judgements (OTJs) in relation to the New Zealand Curriculum. We also run student surveys that explore how tauira are feeling at school — including their sense of belonging, friendships, relationships and happiness.
Together, these pieces of information help us develop a clearer picture of each learner.
During the day we worked with a specialist in this field and explored how AI tools can help us interrogate and better understand the data we already have. We also developed dashboards that allow kaiako to quickly see key information about their learners — where tauira are currently achieving, where progress has been made, and where there may be strengths or gaps.
I feel very strongly about ensuring that we continue to be a data-informed school, and I believe the work we are doing places ANI at the forefront of this kind of practice within Aotearoa New Zealand.
Finally, I would also like to thank all the whānau who attended our Student Led Conferences recently. Our tauira were incredibly proud to share their learning with you, and it is powerful for them to see that whānau and teachers are working together as a team to support their development and growth.
You can continue to support this learning at home by regularly talking with your tamariki about questions such as:
- What are you learning at school at the moment?
- How could you use that learning outside of school?
- How could your learning help others?
Ngā mihi nui for the ongoing support you give our kura and our learners. We truly value the partnership we share with our whānau.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jason Pocock
Principal ANI
Deputy Principal News
Thank you for supporting Student-Led Conferences
A big thank you to all of our whānau who engaged with our Student-Led Conferences last week. We were thrilled to see 89% of our families attend, which is phenomenal. Your support and partnership make a real difference to our learners.
It was fantastic to see students taking ownership of their learning and beginning conversations about their goals for the year ahead. We encourage you to keep those conversations going at home and continue engaging with your child’s He Waka Eke Noa journal, which captures their reflections, goals, and learning journey throughout the year.
Upcoming Health Learning
Later this term, beginning in Week 8, students will begin their first Health units, which sit within our IB theme “Who We Are.”
- Year 7 students will take part in a two-week unit focused on emotional literacy, helping them to recognise, understand, and express emotions in healthy ways.
- Year 8 students will begin a two-week unit exploring Strengths and Identity, supporting them to better understand their personal strengths and how these shape who they are as learners and individuals.
As students complete learning within each theme, they will share reflections and celebrations of their learning on Hero. We encourage whānau to keep an eye out for these posts and take the opportunity to talk with your child about what they have been learning.
Ashley Triana
Deputy Principal – Curriculum
School-Wide Positive Behaviour
At Auckland Normal Intermediate, we teach children to act in a way that represents themselves, others and the school in a positive way. As a school, we encourage and support young people through teaching the expected behaviour, supporting them in making the correct choices and allowing them to reflect and learn from their choices.
Our positive behaviours are underpinned by our school’s values. These behaviours are acknowledged and reinforced across the whole school.
The 4 Ahua (values) we live at ANI are:
- Māramantanga – Our Learning Journey
- Rangatiratanga – To lead and grow ourselves and others
- Manaakitanga – Taking care of ourselves and others
- Whanaungatanga – Connecting and celebrating who we are
We are excited to announce a new addition to our end-of-term prizegiving assembly! This year, alongside our student Ahua awards, we will also be recognising our teachers with Ahua awards for the first time. We look forward to celebrating all of the fantastic students and staff with our school community.
Supporting Our Digital Citizens
At Auckland Normal Intermediate, we see firsthand how the digital world has become a central part of our students’ social lives and learning. As they move through their intermediate years, their online footprint naturally grows, which brings a need for a new level of responsibility. Our goal isn’t just to “police” their devices, but to prepare them for the challenges they’ll face online. We encourage parents and caregivers to keep a relaxed, open dialogue about what’s happening on their screens. When students feel they can report a “red flag” without the fear of having their phone immediately confiscated, they gain the confidence to handle tricky social dynamics and digital content safely.
To help keep things on track at home, we recommend setting up a few simple “guardrails.” A great starting point is a family tech agreement that sets clear expectations like keeping devices in a common area overnight rather than in bedrooms. It’s also worth a quick check to ensure their privacy settings are locked down and that they are only accepting “friend requests” from people they actually know in real life. Most importantly, remind your child that what they post stays with them; a simple “think before you click” habit goes a long way in helping them build a positive digital reputation they can be proud of.
Continued Focus on Attendance
Our school attendance remains very positive, with the current Term attendance sitting at 94.4% after six weeks of the school year.
Our goal is for your child to maintain a minimum of 90% attendance. Research shows that regular attendance is the best way to stay engaged and succeed academically.
At ANI, we follow the Ministry of Education’s attendance guidelines:
- Over 90% attendance: Regular Attendance (missing fewer than 5 days across a term)
- More than 80% and up to 90% attendance: Irregular Attendance (absent for between 5 and 9 days across a term)
- More than 70% and up to 80% attendance: Moderate Absence (absent for between 10 and 14.5 days across a term)
- 70% attendance or less: Chronic Absence (absent for 15 days or more across a school term)
If your child needs to be away, please confirm the absence via the HERO app and provide the reason so we can code the absence correctly. We’ll be in touch if absences become worrying, as we’re here to support your child’s learning.
Dillon Rungan
Deputy Principal – Wellbeing
News from our Deans
L2L lessons
This term we have focused on our āhua of Māramatanga. Our Deans with Mr Pocock and Mr Rungan, have been teaching lessons about being ready for learning.
Our Year 8 students worked with Mr Pocock on developing a growth mindset and learning how to persevere when things become challenging. Mr Rungan led our Year 7 students in a similar learning focus, exploring what it means to be ready for learning and to have the right tools for learning. Mr R likened this to climbing a mountain. Before you even begin a big climb, you need direction and a pack filled with the tools you will need to succeed.
To support this learning, we were fortunate to have Sean Quincey visit and share what perseverance looked like for him during his incredible row across the Tasman Sea. He spoke about the many difficult days at sea, including times when strong currents meant he travelled backwards or even in circles. Despite these challenges, through determination and persistence he eventually completed the journey, an extraordinary achievement. To date, only two people have successfully rowed solo across the Tasman Sea, Sean and his father.
Sean’s story was a powerful reminder for our students about the importance of attitude, perseverance, and continuing to move forward even when progress feels slow or difficult. It reinforced the idea that learning, much like rowing across an ocean or climbing a mountain, requires resilience, preparation, and the belief that with effort we can reach our goals.
Conversations at home: friendships
As we come to the end of our first term for 2026, it has been a time of many new beginnings for our students. Our Year 7 students have been settling into a new school, while our Year 8 students have joined new teams and continued growing over the summer.
During this time, students have made new friends and strengthened existing ones. This is an important part of whanaungatanga, building connections and a sense of belonging within our school community.
With new friendships often come new experiences and opportunities to learn about how we get along with others. It can be helpful to have simple conversations at home about friendships, kindness, and how we support each other. These small chats help students think about how they show care and respect in their relationships.
Supporting Healthy Friendships
As students form new friendships, it can help to have simple conversations at home about what positive friendships look like.
- Listen and be kind: Encourage active listening, polite language, and treating others with respect.
- Be a good friend: Being reliable and supportive helps friendships grow stronger.
- Share and connect: Spending time together and enjoying shared interests builds strong bonds.
- Talk things through: Disagreements are normal. Encourage calm conversations and listening to different perspectives.
- Apologise and forgive: Taking responsibility and accepting apologies helps friendships move forward.
- Respect boundaries: Good friends do not pressure each other or control who someone spends time with.
- Be yourself: The best friendships happen when students feel comfortable being who they are.
- Choose kind friends: Quality friendships that feel safe and supportive are more important than popularity.
- Know when to step back: If a friendship is consistently unkind or hurtful, it is okay to move on.
ANI Facebook Page
Just a reminder to parents and caregivers that events such as sports, chess and any other competitive activities will be reported on the ANI Facebook page linked here.
Please check out the wonderful achievements of our exceptional students.
Lynley Sheweiry
SLT Executive Admin
Student Achievement & Learning
Principal Awards
Arts and Culture
ANI Cultural Day 2026
Sustainability
Our dedicated beekeepers have been very busy! We needed to buy a new queen bee for one of our hives. The beekeepers have named her Queen Stella. A queen bee is crucial because she lays all the eggs in the hive and helps keep the colony strong and healthy. Right now, we are giving Queen Stella some time to settle into her new home before checking on her. This allows the bees to accept their new queen and for her to start laying eggs.
Some very important visitors came to speak with the beekeepers from the Ministry of Primary Industries. We helped them set a hornet trap near the beehives. Invasive hornets pose a significant threat to New Zealand’s invertebrate species, and we are happy to monitor the trap. We had a great conversation with our visitors, and our hardworking beekeepers asked some thoughtful and interesting questions. It was a wonderful learning experience.
Over in the garden, we have also been working hard to prepare the space before we plant our winter crops. Getting the garden ready takes time and teamwork. Recently, we have been laying sacks around the kūmara plants. This helps to keep weeds under control and gives the kūmara more room to spread out and grow. By taking care of the garden now, we are helping to make sure our plants have the best chance to thrive in the coming season.
After School Classes
Staff
School Counsellor Team
Supporting Student Wellbeing at ANI
For our tamariki, many physical, emotional, and social changes are happening all at once. These changes can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming. At this stage of development, big emotions can be a normal part of growing up.
Our tamariki are also beginning to develop a stronger sense of identity and independence, while navigating more complex friendships and social situations. Because their brains are still developing, especially the areas involved in decision-making and managing emotions, they are still learning the skills needed to understand and cope with their feelings. With time, guidance, and support from important adults in their lives, these skills continue to grow.
All children and whānau face challenges during their schooling journey. Early adolescence is an important stage of growth and development that can bring both excitement and opportunities, alongside challenges.
At ANI, we support student wellbeing through a counselling programme that provides a safe and confidential space for ākonga to talk about challenges that they are facing and receive guidance and support.
How Does Counselling Work?
- Sessions take place during school hours and usually last 30–45 minutes.
- Counselling is voluntary (students only come if they want to) and is free of charge.
- Sessions may include talking, games, art, drawing, or writing, depending on the student’s needs and interests.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Counsellors at ANI adhere to The New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) Code of Ethics, which means student privacy is respected. Information shared in sessions remains confidential except when:
- There is a risk of serious harm to the student or others.
- The student gives consent to share information.
We believe students are best supported when key people in their lives work together. With student consent, counsellors may collaborate with whānau and school staff to provide consistent support.
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or would like further information.
Anna MacLeod – School Counsellor. Email: counsellor@ani.school.nz
Monday-Wednesday-Friday
+20 4053 3249
- Youthline: free phone 0800 376 633 or free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
- thelowdown.co.nz or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626.
- SPARX.org.nz: online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.
- Kidsline: free phone 0800 543 754. Talk to a trained Kidsline buddy from 4pm-9pm weekdays.
- What’s Up (for 5 to 18-year olds): free phone 0800 942 8787. Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 1pm–10pm and weekends, 3pm–10pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.
Reception Reminders
As we move into cough and flu season, we kindly remind parents and caregivers of the following:
- Keeping Sick Children at Home:
To help prevent the spread of illness, please keep your child at home if they are showing any signs of being unwell (e.g. coughing, fever, sore throat). This helps protect other students and staff. - Medical Certificates for Extended Absences:
If your child is sick for more than three consecutive school days, a doctor’s note is required. Without it, any further absence will be recorded as an explained but unjustified absence. - More Information:
For full details on our absence and sickness policies, please visit our website:
ANI Code of Conduct – Absences and Sickness
Thank you for your support in keeping our school community safe and healthy.
Megan and Gabi
Front of House Team
Free Period Products:
As part of a government-funded initiative, we’re offering free pads and tampons for our young ākonga | students in the reception bathroom!
We understand it can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if it’s a student’s first time getting their period, and we want to make sure they feel as comfortable as possible.
Please let your student know they can access these products at any time, and they’re welcome to take some home if needed!
If you have any questions, please speak to Gabi or Cait in reception!
Megan and Gabi
Front of House Team
ANI Community
ANI PTA Hollywood Social
We had a fantastic time at the ANI PTA “Hollywood” Social!
The night was full of energy as students danced to the beats of DJ Cadelis under glowing lights and vibrant decorations.
It was great to see so many smiles as students enjoyed being at school in such a fun, social, and unique setting.
A big thank you to everyone who helped make the evening a success!
Natalie Cassidy
Chairperson of ANI PTA
ezlunch Notice
Dental Van Visit 2026
The dental van is coming on the 23rd of March until the 2nd of April to see the children under their care. Parents will be contacted to gain consent.
Notice from Marist College
Upcoming Events for Week 7, Term 1, 2026
Notices from our community partners
