In today’s newsletter we have the following:
Senior Leadership Team
Principal News
Kia ora e te whānau,
It’s wonderful to begin Term 4 with longer sunshine hours and the exciting range of activities and experiences on offer for our tauira (students). One of the highlights has been our IB Exhibition for our Year 8s — a true celebration of learning, creativity, and action.
IB Exhibition — Art as Action
This year’s big idea, “Art as Action”, invited our tauira to explore and respond to one of the UN Global Goals. Over an inspiring eight weeks, students developed both their knowledge and skills, culminating in an incredible display of creativity, passion, and purpose.
The journey concluded with our Whānau Night on Tuesday, 14 October. Despite the tight spaces, it was amazing to see so many families come together to celebrate our students’ work. The pride and confidence our Year 8s showed in sharing their learning was truly heartwarming.
The Exhibition is the apex of the two-year journey at ANI — a chance to bring together the skills, attributes, and values we believe make successful, thoughtful young people. We’re incredibly proud of our 2025 Year 8 cohort and confident they are well prepared for the transition to high school.
Preparing for High School
The coming weeks continue to support our Year 8s as they get ready for their next chapter. Today, we completed our High School Practice Day, where students experienced a six-period timetable and moved between different subjects — giving them a taste of what high school life will be like.
We also have upcoming exams and orientation days, ensuring our students feel confident and prepared. It’s a busy and exciting term for them as they finish their ANI journey strong!
Athletics Day — Whanaungatanga in Action
It was fantastic to see our school community come alive during Athletics Day this week. The event was a true celebration of movement, house spirit, and our school values. The sense of whanaungatanga (connection and relationships) was on full display — not just among our students, but also our staff. It was wonderful to witness the effort, encouragement, and enthusiasm shared throughout the day.
Important Upcoming Events
As we look ahead, we have some exciting dates to mark on your calendar:
- November 14 — ANI Jubilee Day!
We’re thrilled to be celebrating 80 years as a kura. This is a special milestone, and we’d love to see our community come together to celebrate. - November 14 — Trivia Night
Our annual Trivia Night will also take place that evening. Tables are selling fast, so if you’d like to join in the fun, please email Lynley (ani@ani.school.nz) to reserve your spot! - School Raffle
This year’s raffle will raise funds for our school library. Each child has been given one raffle book to sell, and we truly appreciate your support with this important fundraiser.
Farewell to staff
As we approach the end of the year, we want to acknowledge the staff who will be leaving us at the end of the year for travel and opportunities
- Kieran Gleeson
- Farrah Dillon
- Ben Christie
- Sian Stephens
We are grateful for the mahi and expertise these staff have given to ANI and although we farewell them formally later in the year we did want to acknowledge them at this stage.
Finishing the Year Strong
As we approach the end of the year, it’s vital that our students finish well, not fizzle. With so many exciting events and distractions, staying focused on learning can be challenging.
As parents and caregivers, you can help by checking in regularly with your child about their learning. Here are some great conversation starters:
- What new learning did you do today?
- Why or how might this be important for your future?
- What are you most proud of in your learning this year?
- What goals do you still want to achieve before the end of the year?
- How can we help you be successful in finishing strong?
These small but meaningful conversations help keep our learners engaged and motivated right through to the last day of term.
Ngā mihi nui for your ongoing support — let’s keep the energy high and finish the year together, with pride and purpose.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Jason Pocock
ANI Principal
Deputy Principal News
Staff Professional Learning – New Mathematics Curriculum
On our Teacher Only Day last week, our staff engaged in their second day of professional learning focused on the refreshed Mathematics and Statistics curriculum. We spent the day exploring planning, explicit teaching and then delved into the measurement strand of the new curriculum for years 7 & 8. This PLD is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring our teaching aligns with the latest curriculum changes and best practice, so every learner experiences success and challenge in mathematics.
Year 7 Market Day – Profit with Purpose!
Term 4 marks the start of our Year 7 students’ journey towards Market Day! This year, we’ve made some exciting updates to our Programme of Inquiry — one key change being the move of Market Day into the Year 7 programme. With this shift in year level, the unit now sits within the Sharing the Planet theme and focuses on sustainability. Appropriately titled Profit with Purpose, this inquiry challenges students to think about how business ideas can make a positive difference for people and the planet.
Market Day provides a rich, authentic context for learning. Throughout the unit, teachers will be weaving in concepts of sustainability and climate action, financial literacy, and key collaboration skills — helping students connect their ideas to real-world impact.
We’re excited to watch our Year 7 students put their ideas into action, showing how creativity, teamwork, and purpose can make a real difference for our planet and community.
Year 8 – Ready for What’s Next
With Exhibition behind them, our Year 8 students have jumped into a busy few weeks of high school preparation. Over the last 8 weeks, they’ve been engaged in purposeful learning around a key novel and then earlier this week they tackled a literary essay with an unseen writing prompt, putting their analytical and writing skills to the test.
Today, students experienced a taste of high school life during their High School Experience Day — following a full timetable, swapping classes each period, and exploring a variety of subjects they might encounter in the years ahead. Next week, they will complete mock exams in literacy and mathematics, further building their confidence and readiness for the next stage of learning.
Following these milestones, our Year 8 teams will move into their final unit of the year, Sharing the Planet and then as the term wraps up, we look forward to celebrating their journey with fun and memorable events, including Amazing Race Day and Graduation, marking the end of their primary school adventure in style.
Ashley Triana, Kieran Gleeson and Scott Boniface
ANI Deputy Principals
Year 8 Deans
Kia Ora Year 8 community,
We are absolutely thrilled with how the year is progressing and the hard work our Year 8 students are putting in. A good portion of our learning this term has been geared towards finishing 2025 on a positive and successful note, as well as preparing our tamariki for high school. On that note, it is a great time to take stock and prepare everything that is needed. A reminder below about the following testing dates for our main feeder schools. Along with these tests, the student support team will be sitting down with our main feeder schools to pass on information to help make our students’ transitions as successful as possible. A massive part of this is the time and effort our teachers show when organising and preparing the information to hand over, and we are so thankful for this.
Epsom Girls Grammar School
Date: Thursday 30 October
Venue: Epsom Girls Grammar School Campus
Time: 1:30-3pm (We recommend the girls leave no later than 1pm)
Auckland Boys Grammar School
Date: Monday 17 November
Venue: Auckland Grammar Study Centre
Time: 9:00am – 10:50am
If you have any issues or questions, please reach out to the team Dean or Team Leader.
Nick Houston and Sarah O’Dea
Y8 Deans
Raffles
We would like to thank all of the businesses that have donated goods and services to ANI for the Jubilee Raffles.
Your generosity is outstanding.
Cordys – 553 Mt Eden Road
Scarlett Slimms and Lucky – 476 Mount Eden Road
Xoong – 424 Mount Eden Road
Molliere’s – 615 Mount Eden Road
SellMyapple – 697 Mt Eden Road
Midas car service – 496B Mt Eden Road
The Warehouse – Royal Oak
Essential Deli – 455B Mt Eden Road
Kelly Electrical – 9/55 Sainsbury Road, Morningside
Edventure Tours – Hamilton
Chiropractic First – 693 Mt Eden Road
The Watershed – 3C/89 Ellice Road, Wairau Valley
Travel Associates – 545 Mt Eden Road
Good News Parlour – 416 Mt Eden Road
KC Loo Fruit Centre – 436 Mt Eden Road
RAD Cafe – 397 Mt Eden Road
Eden Nails and Spa – 420 Mt Eden Road
I Got Planty 411 – Mt Eden Road
Chapter Book and Tea – 442 Mt Eden Road
Moe’s Barber – 613 Mt Eden Road
De Post Belgium Beer Cafe – 466 Mt Eden Road
Goodwin’s Real Estate – 910 New North Road
Circus Circus – 447 Mt Eden Road
Alter Cafe – 465 Mt Eden Road
Boutique Dog Grooming – 611 Mt Eden Road
The Lash Room – 412 Mt Eden
I Press – 421/425 Mt Eden Road
Wild Wheat – 813 Mt Eden Road
Isobella’s – 551 Mt Eden Road
By the Bottle – 811 Mt Eden Road
Jono’s Village Eatery – 447 Mt Eden Road
Archivista – 452 Mt Eden Road
Mt Eden Foot Clinic – 457 Mt Eden Road
Voila Cafe – 471 Mt Eden Road
ANI 80th Jubilee
ANI 80th Jubilee
We are excited to share that Auckland Normal Intermediate (ANI) is turning 80 this year!
Back in 1945, Auckland Normal School officially became Auckland Normal Intermediate, beginning with a roll of 438 students. Fast forward to today, and we proudly serve 739 wonderful learners.
To celebrate this milestone, we are hosting a special Jubilee Day on Friday, 14th November, followed by a fun-filled Trivial Pursuit Night that evening, details below.
For all Jubilee information, please follow this link.
Trivial Pursuit Night
Please book now as tables are selling fast!
- Date: Friday, 14th November
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: The MPS
- Tables: 15 tables of 8 (get in quick!)
- Tickets: $30 per person (includes a cheese platter and a mystery bag for your table)
- Extras: Preordered pizza served at mid way through the night, cash bar available, games, spot prizes and a silent auction throughout the evening
- Prizes: for the winning table
To make the night a success, we would greatly appreciate your support. If you are able to contribute in any way, be it goods, services, prizes, or accommodation (such as a weekend at a beach house), for our silent auction, we would be incredibly grateful. If you have any items to donate, please contact Mandy Tomlins our Alumni Ambassador: mtomlins@ani.school.nz
Cultural Festival 2025
Final Tickets Available! Set to sell out!!!!
Kia ora e te whānau,
We’re gearing up for one of the biggest nights of the year! Our cultural groups are putting the final touches on their performances, and our teachers are working hard to make sure the evening is another incredible celebration of our students’ talent and identity.
We’re now down to our last handful of tickets, so make sure to get in quick! Entry is free, but every guest will need a ticket so we can allocate seating. Tickets are available now via Kindo. A koha at the door is warmly welcomed to support future Arts and Culture events at our kura.
(Note: Student performers do not require a ticket.)
Event details:
When: Thursday 30 October 2025
Time: Doors open 5:30 pm, performances begin 6:00 pm
Where: ANI MPS
Food: International food stalls and light snacks will be available
Accessibility:
The venue is wheelchair accessible. Please let our ushers know at the door if you require assistance, and we will accommodate you with a floor seat.
Photography:
Please be respectful of all performers. Photography guidelines will be available at the door.
Important for performers and crew:
All student performers must be backstage by 5:30 pm, unless otherwise specified by their group leaders.
Student stagehands and tech crew must arrive at school by 4.30 pm for pre-show checks.
Detailed performer information can be found in the school notices.
He waka eke noa – we look forward to celebrating with you!
Nicole Astrella
Performing Arts Co-ordinator
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
NZ National Gymnastics Championships
We would like to share some exciting news regarding Hermia’s participation in the 2025 XP Gymnastics Nationals, which took place from 23rd September to 27th September at The Trust Arena in Auckland.
Hermia competed in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Category – Group (Grade 3 National Group), and we are thrilled to let you know that her team achieved 1st place overall, winning the RG Grade 3 Group Overall National Champion Trophy.
Hermia has earned the title of National Champion in this category.
ANI is incredibly proud of her and the other ANI students and wanted to share this special achievement with you.
Japan Trip
During the September holidays, 28 excited students and staff went on an amazing adventure to Japan. After our flight via Hong Kong, we hit the ground running. First stop was the Tokyo Skytree before a visit to Asakusa. Almost 12 hours at Disneyland was definitely a highlight. Chinatown, the Artrick Museum, Yokohama, the famous Shibuya crossing, making our own Cup Noodles and checking out the National Museum of Nature & Science rounded off our Tokyo experience.
A short flight down to Fukuoka, and the students met their homestay families from our sister school, Wajiro Higashi Elementary School with whom they spent the weekend. We spent Monday experiencing Japanese school life. We were treated like rock stars in their school assembly. Over the next few days, we visited a local Shrine, Marine World and a Virtual Reality centre before sadly beginning our journey home, taking with us awesome memories.
It was a pleasure for Scott Boniface, Nicole Rowland, and I to take these students on an overseas adventure to such an incredible country and share with them some of what Japanese culture has to offer. While they loved 7/11 stores and the many vending machines, we know the rich cultural experiences and the independence they gained are invaluable.
Brooke Tuialii
Netball Prizegiving
Netball Prizegiving for the 2025 season will be held on Tuesday 28th October in the MPS from 6 – 7pm.
All netball players, coaches and managers are invited to attend alongside their whanau and friends. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Thank you!!
Sian Stephens
Netball Coordinator
Sustainability
The Sustainability Club has been busy getting the garden ready for our summer crops! We recently received new soil, which we used to top up the garden beds and prepare them for our kūmara tipu planting.
We also planted courgette, pak choi, lettuce, and tomato seedlings — all grown from seed by the club. As we prepared for summer, we harvested the last of our winter crops. Club members were delighted to take home some cabbages, leeks, broad beans, carrots, and potatoes.
It’s been a great season of growing, harvesting, and learning together. The students have loved getting their hands dirty, discovering what helps plants thrive, and seeing the results of their hard work. We’re now looking forward to watching our summer crops grow and sharing more fresh produce from our school garden in the coming months!
Ms Redshaw & Mr Christie Teachers in Charge of Sustainability
Staff
Reception Reminders
Kia ora everyone,
Just a quick reminder for parents and students — our school reception is a quiet, working space, not a hangout area. We want to keep it calm and peaceful so that visitors and students who may be feeling unwell can be comfortable while they’re here.
Please remind students that:
- They must ask Gabi or me for permission before using the phone.
- If they’re feeling unwell, they should come and speak to us first before making any calls.
Thanks for helping us keep reception a welcoming and respectful space for everyone.
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.
Free Period Products:
A quick reminder that pads and tampons are available in the reception bathroom for students who may need them during the school day. They’re welcome to collect these at any time—no need to ask.
Please feel free to let your child know this support is there for them if needed.
Cait and Gabi
Lost Property:
Lost property is kept at reception for any students who may have misplaced items. Please encourage your child to check regularly, as the lost property is cleared out at the end of each term.
Cait and Gabi
ANI Community
ANI PTA
The ANI Parent Group has had a fantastic year running a range of fun, themed socials for our students. These events have not only given the kids a chance to connect and enjoy themselves, but have also helped us, as parents, build stronger connections with each other. We stuck with the ‘no phones’ policy at the socials, which was a real success — it encouraged more interaction and helped make the nights more enjoyable for everyone. We also introduced a backdrop for students to have their photos taken, all of which the students can access on the school google drive.
Funds raised through these events will go towards a pizza lunch for our Year 8 students and an end-of-year morning tea to thank our wonderful staff. We’re also excited to contribute to next year’s library upgrade and look forward to working more closely with individual classes and supporting school events in 2026.
Our final fundraiser for the year will be a second-hand uniform sale. If you have any unwanted ANI uniforms in good condition (no rips or stains, please), drop them off at the school office before the end of term. We’ll be bundling and selling these to participating primary schools — a great way to recycle and raise funds at the same time. Thanks for your continued support!
Ngā mihi nui,
Natalie, Anna, Helen, Gemma, Mote, Lisa, Elena and Selaima
Natalie Cassidy
Chairperson of ANI PTA
Upcoming Events for Week 4, Term 4, 2025
Notices from our community partners
