|
|
Lytton High School
Newsletter · Term 3 2025
|
|
|
|
|
Principal's Message
|
As we come to the end of Term 3, I want to take a moment to celebrate the spirit of our students and staff who show resilience, creativity, and determination across all areas of school life. Whether on the sports field, in the classroom, out in the community, or in cultural and outdoor pursuits, our learners have stepped forward with pride and purpose.
|
|
|
|
This term has been filled with moments that remind us of what it means to be part of the Lytton whānau; the excitement of tournament weeks, the achievements in pathways and vocational learning, the leadership shown by our senior students, and the joy of music, performance, and connection. Each of these successes adds to the feathers of our collective cloak, helping our young people to soar.
|
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I encourage all students to stay focused on their goals, support each other, and embrace the opportunities ahead. Together, we will finish the year strong, proud of our efforts and prepared for the challenges and successes of 2026.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Netball Season 2025
|
We were proud to have three teams represent our school in the local netball competition this season – Senior A, Junior A, and Social. It was exciting to finish the season at the new courts at the netball centre, a fantastic facility for our players and supporters alike. Our Senior A team put in a strong performance, finishing as runners-up in the B Grade, while our Junior A team celebrated an outstanding achievement by winning the C Grade competition. Congratulations to all our players on a great season of netball!
|
|
|
|
|
Lower North Island Secondary School Competition - Winter Tournament Week
|
This year we were proud to return to the Lower North Island Secondary Schools Netball Competition for the first time in many years, taking a young and enthusiastic team. With only two Year 11s and the remainder being Year 9 and 10 players, we were the youngest team at the tournament. Facing strong opponents – many made up of Year 12 and 13 students – was both challenging and inspiring.
|
|
Despite the tough competition, our players stayed positive and continued to grow with each game. By the end of the week, we had progressed from winning quarters to celebrating our first full game win on the final day. Entering the tournament seeded last, our goal was to build from there, and we are proud to say we achieved just that, finishing in place 31.
|
|
Both the players and management team took away valuable lessons, and we now feel much more prepared for next year. Most importantly, every player can say their netball has benefited greatly from the experience. Ka mau te wehi!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winter Tournament - Hockey
|
The Woolaston Hockey Tournament in Stratford, Taranaki was such an awesome experience for everyone involved. It gave us the chance to push ourselves on the turf, build our skills, and enjoy the unique feeling of representing our school. All week the team showed determination and energy, and it was really cool to see how everyone supported each other, both in games and off the field.
|
|
Looking back, one of the best parts of the tournament was how much fun we had as a group. Every game threw new challenges our way, but we went into them with positivity and gave it everything. Along the way we learnt heaps about resilience, communication, and what it means to work together as a team. The growth we saw over the week was huge, and it felt like each game made us stronger.
|
|
There were plenty of highlights that we’ll remember for a long time; like the epic 4–3 win against Opunake High School, late-night Laser Tag, sharing kai together, getting stuck in Dannevirke, the flying fox, and exploring the beautiful Taranaki region. These moments brought us even closer as a team and made the week so much more memorable.
|
|
Something we’ll never forget are the freezing river recovery sessions. As uncomfortable as they were, they became a routine we all committed to, which even the coaches joined in on the last day! Those moments reminded us that we do everything together as a team.
|
|
Overall, the tournament wasn’t just about hockey, it was about building friendships, growing as a team, and making memories that will stick with us. We’re excited to see hockey continue to grow, and with our new captain, Zyanja Rudge, leading us, we can’t wait to see what next season brings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term 3 Pathways Faculty
|
The Term 3 Pathways Faculty Report highlights the range of activities and achievements of students within the Pathways Faculty during this term. Many students successfully completed various vocational certificates and courses, including 18 students gaining their learner's license and 8 students gaining their forklift license, as well as a group completing Workplace Health and Safety and Customer Service courses. A number of students also participated in practical programmes, including a chainsaw course and the Redshirts Warehouse Gateway programme. Some senior students gained valuable real-world experience through work placements at Gisborne Hospital in the Engineering Department. Furthermore, Year 13 students actively prepared for their future by applying for 2026 courses, scholarships, and halls of residence places.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students Embrace Te Taiao in the Winter Elements
As the colder weather settled in, Outdoor Education students shifted from the moana to the awa. Students traded their surfboards for waka, refining their paddling skills on the awa. Hīkoi has also remained a focus, with students completing navigation assessments across local whenua, building confidence in the outdoors while strengthening their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
|
Meanwhile, our Year 13 students have taken on extra responsibility, working in pairs to lead others in the outdoors. This has included guiding Year 9 students on hīkoi, sharing local pūrākau, teaching compass navigation, running scavenger hunts, and building survival huts. These experiences have helped the Year 13s grow as leaders while inspiring younger students to connect with te taiao.
|
The Year 13 students also took their learning further afield, travelling to Mount Ruapehu to embrace the winter elements. Over several days, students learned to ski and snowboard on both Tūroa and Whakapapa ski fields. They were fortunate that Tāwhirimātea was on their side, delivering what locals called the best day of the season.
|
For many, this was their first time in the snow, making the experience both exciting and challenging. Students were pushed mentally and physically as they adapted to a new alpine environment. Beyond technical skills, the trip fostered resilience, self-management, and leadership, all while working towards the challenge of ngākau hihiko - an eagerness to act.
|
Outdoor Education continues to provide opportunities for students to experience Aotearoa’s unique environments, connect with te taiao and grow through challenge and adventure.
|
“Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu.” – “Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Music Department's Charity Concert & Ball.
|
The Chris Reynolds Big Band donated their time to us and our audience danced the night away. Some of our senior students got up and sang with the band and did a great job, too! The money we raised will go towards the cost of our trip to the Big Sing that we attended in Term 2 of this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yokohama Hitorizawa High School visit to Ritana
|
Yokohama Hitorizawa High School, from Japan visited us during the mid-winter months, arriving from their 38-degree summer to our crisp, cooler climate, quite the change for them. Despite the contrast in seasons, their visit became a time of creating lasting memories, sharing culture, and strengthening connections. It was a rich and rewarding experience, not only for our manuhiri, but also for our kura and wider community, who were uplifted by the exchange of learning, aroha, and friendship.
|
|
The Hitorizawa students immersed themselves in school life at Lytton High, experiencing both our style of learning and the values we uphold. Their visit included an overnight stay at Pakowhai Marae, where they enjoyed a classic kiwiana meal - corned beef with white sauce and all the trimmings, followed by the Kiwi favourites of ice cream and pavlova.
|
|
|
|
They also took part in a farm visit, where gumboots were essential as they trekked through sheep dung and mud. Hands-on activities such as lamb docking and sheep shearing gave them a real taste of rural life in Aotearoa. To top off that day we had fish and chips with tomato sauce and a swig of L&P.
|
|
These are just a few of the many experiences they enjoyed during their stay, and we hope the memories they created here will remain with them for a lifetime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We sincerely thank our homestay whānau for the kindness and generosity they showed in welcoming our visitors.This experience could not have taken place without the selflessness and manaaki they so willingly offered.
|
|
Thank you to everyone who played a part in the success of this exchange.Together, your efforts created an experience that will be treasured not only by our visitors, but also by our own community.
|
|
We are excited to continue building on this relationship with Yokohama Hitorizawa High School and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mātai Medical Research Centre's career in science day
|
A group of senior science students recently had a fantastic opportunity to see firsthand where a science education can lead them. Their trip to Matai opened their eyes to a wide variety of exciting and surprising careers.
|
|
The students got a chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world of science. They were able to get their hands on actual medical equipment, practicing skills like inserting a cannula—something that really brought their biology lessons to life. They even got to play with dentistry tools and see a massive MRI machine up close, learning about its incredible magnetic power.
|
|
Technology played a big role in the day. The students found the VR (Virtual Reality) setup especially cool, seeing how it's used to train medical professionals. They also learned about forensic science, including how blood splatter analysis can help solve mysteries. They were shown examples of different narcotics and learned about the damaging effects these substances have on the brain.
|
|
The trip also highlighted careers focused on the human body. The students learned about the muscles involved in physiotherapy and even saw how scientists measure the strength of hits in rugby to understand and prevent concussions.
|
|
Overall, the trip was a huge success. It was a great reminder that a science background can lead to a huge range of interesting jobs, from working with high-tech machines to helping athletes recover from injuries. It was a day that truly showed these students the endless possibilities of a career in science.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hockey
|
at the start of the season our Hockey Team had to weather some stern challenges in the Tairawhiti Secondary Schools competition. However, new Coach Anthony Boyder, created player cohesion in the second round, everybody contributing to the unity and harmony of the game that lead to some success, enjoyed by the team and their supporters.
|
|
|
|
|
Indoor Bowls
A Lytton team attended the North Island Secondary Schools Indoor Bowls Championship at Mount Maunganui. Overall they did rather well. A special mention to our North Island Singles Champion Adam Rickard, a deserving winner of the ‘Frank Paton Memorial Shield’. Congratulations also to our Singles Plate champion, Jakeb Te Kani Brown. Adam Rickard and Jacob Yates winning a Bronze medal in the pairs, and pairs Plate Champions Hori Ngata & Mahanga Clapperton - Nahu.
At the National Secondary Schools Indoor Bowls Championship held in Hamilton, Adam went on to represent Lytton High School and received a Bronze medal for his effort in the Singles Competition. Then in the Pairs, received another Bronze with Pairs partner Kiki Casey. Jakeb Te Kani Brown and his Pairs partner Jak Perry won the plate competition. Well done and congratulations to all. Much credit and appreciation to Coach Rachael Rickard for her drive and care in preparing the team. Ka mau te wehi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sports Calendar Term 4
|
8 October – Fast 5 Netball, Gisborne Netball Centre
|
9 October - Cross Country
10 October – Turanga Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals, Nelson Park
16 October – Combined Tairawhiti Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals, Nelson Park
22 October – Poverty Bay Rugby Secondary School 7's
5 - 7 November – Junior Ki o Rahi Nationals, Ruatoria
25 November – Year 9 & 10 Pickleball Tournament
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Trustees Elections
|
We have received the results from Schooled Election Pilot of our Parent Representative Vote that closed on Wednesday 10th September. Congratulations to Hugh Stuart and Gabe Perano for being re-elected to the Board Of Trustees, and to Amal Prasad our new Board Of Trustees Member. Many thanks to Faith Pohoiwi & Nicolas Fischer Meiling for putting their names forward for this election. Congratulations also to Zyanja Rudge our year 11 student who has been elected by her peers as our new Board of Trustees Student Representative, we wish everyone well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
19 September - Last day of Term 3
|
|
14 October - Board of Trustees meeting
|
|
28 October - Senior Achievers Assembly
|
|
30 October - Senior Prizegiving
|
|
4 November - NCEA Exams begin
|
|
4 December - Final NCEA Exam
|
|
5 December - Junior Assembly
|
|
8 - 10 December - Year 9 & 10 Intensives
|
|
10 December - Final day of 2025
|
|
2 February - Beginning of 2026 school year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
