The fundamental rule of the Howick College community is that all its members, staff, students and others, have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and have their needs met in a safe environment. It is the responsibility of each individual to demonstrate our values of Courtesy, Commitment, Curiosity and Courage to ensure this occurs.

​

Behaviour

Everyone plays an important part in ensuring Howick College is a safe and pleasant learning environment. All students attending Howick College must adhere to the expectations of our school community and behave according to the high standards our school values reflect. The following guidelines outline our behavioural expectations:

​

• At  Howick College we will NOT accept:

  • Inappropriate, abusive, or obscene language and/or behaviour, including but not limited to racism and other forms of discrimination;

  • Bullying, mocking, lying or stealing. This includes inappropriate text messaging and inappropriate use of social media;

  • Homophobic behaviour in any form including name calling, 'jokes' and harassment;

  • Hindering or discouraging others from learning.

• Showing courtesy and respect for others is essential. This applies to all interactions with other students, teachers, non-teaching staff, members of our community and the general public.

• Students are not to bring Howick College into disrepute by their actions or behaviour. This includes while travelling to and from school, and outside normal school hours.​

• Students are to respect the school grounds and all school property, this includes putting rubbish in the bin, and no marking of desks, walls, or tables.

• Graffiti or inappropriate images are not allowed on any items a student brings to the college

• Smoking or vaping is not permitted on the way to and from school, during school hours or at any school event.

• Items that are unrelated to school activities and may cause danger to others must NOT be brought to school.

​

Agreements

When enrolling at Howick College, all parents, caregivers, and students must read the following agreements and confirm their understanding and acceptance of the stated conditions and requirements

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​​Mobile Phones

As outlined in our Mobile Phone Process and in accordance with the Government's mandated "phones away for the day" policy, mobile phone use is NOT permitted from the time students enter the school grounds in the morning, until after the final bell at 3:20pm.

• Mobile phones must be set to silent mode and stored in the student’s school bag at all times throughout the school day. This includes during class, transitioning between classes, at interval, and at lunchtime.

• If a student is found using a mobile phone, the phone will be confiscated by the teacher and returned to the student at the end of the lesson.

• The teacher will enter the incident into Kamar and issue a lunch-time reflection.

• In cases of repeated incidents, Deans will contact the student’s parents/caregivers and the student will be required to hand in their mobile phone each morning.

• If a student is defiant and refuses to hand over their phone, a senior leader will be called. SLT or the Deans will contact the student’s parents/caregivers.

 

​Please click on the following link to view the Howick College Board's Mobile Phones & Personal Digital Devices Policy.

​

​Attendance

Arriving at school and to class on time is crucial for students' education. Punctuality helps develop self-discipline, ensures a smooth start to the day, and allows full engagement in lessons. It also supports a focused classroom environment for all students.

​

• Students are to organise themselves to attend all classes and be punctual, including Tutor Group and Assembly times.

• If students are unable to attend school due to illness, parents/caregivers must contact the school by emailing note@howick.school.nz 

• If students need to be absent for one or more days because of special circumstances, their parents must email their child’s tutor teacher and cc note@howick.school.nz  This should be submitted at least two days before the intended absence.

• Students who arrive after 8:50am must bring an explanation note from their parent/caregiver. Alternatively, the parent/caregiver can email note@howick.school.nz. Students must also report to the Student Office for a late pass.

• If a student accumulates three unjustified late arrivals—to school or to any class—a reflection will be issued. A reflection will be issued for every three unjustified late arrivals.

• Students who for any reason need to leave school before the end of the school day, must report to the Student Office to sign out. They should bring an explanation letter written and signed by a parent/caregiver or the parent/caregiver can email note@howick.school.nz prior to the student leaving the school grounds. We encourage parents/caregivers to make appointments for their children outside of school times. 

• All Year 13 students are permitted to leave the school grounds at interval and lunchtime.  All other students must remain on site at interval and lunchtime.

• Only Year 13 students who have earned unsupervised study may leave the school grounds during their study periods.
  ​​​

School Uniform
Students must wear the correct uniform to, from and at school. By correctly wearing the Howick College uniform appropriate to their year level, students demonstrate their pride to be part of the Howick College community (details on our uniform guidelines can be found under ‘Uniform & Stationery’).

​

If students arrive at school in incorrect uniform, they must report to the Student Office before school and follow these procedures:

• If no acceptable reason is given for incorrect uniform or grooming or if a student persistently contravenes the uniform and grooming guidelines, they will be withdrawn from class until the student’s parents remedy the situation.

• If a student is found wearing an incorrect item in the classroom or the grounds, the teacher will ask the student to remove the item, an after school reflection will be issued and the item will be stored securely in the Student Office until the end of term. Should the student choose to be uncooperative, the student will referred to their Dean or a SLT member. In such circumstances, further disciplinary actions may be taken.

• If a student wears an item that cannot be removed, they will be immediately sent to their Dean or a SLT member who will supply work and supervise until the problem is remedied. The parents will also be informed of the situation by phone.

• If a student requires a Permanent Uniform Permit to wear a non-uniform item, they must give the Dean the appropriate information, such as a letter from the parents and accompanying medical certificates or cultural evidence, and they will consult with the Associate Principal. Please click on the link to view the Howick College Uniform Process.