Student Expectations

Our Commitment to Community

At Howick College, every member of our community—students, staff, and visitors—has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to feel safe and supported. We all share responsibility for upholding our core values of Courtesy, Commitment, Curiosity, and Courage to maintain a positive and focused environment.

The following processes and guidelines outline key expectations around behaviour, attendance, uniform, and mobile phone use. These support a consistent and respectful culture that enables all students to engage fully in their learning.

Read Our Policies

Five students on Howick School school stairs with Curiosity, Commitment written on them.

All students are expected to act in ways that reflect our core values and contribute to a safe, respectful school culture. The following expectations outline the behaviours that support learning and wellbeing across our community.

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

Our Expectations:

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
Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for student success. Being present and on time builds self-discipline, supports full engagement in learning, and helps maintain a focused, respectful classroom environment. Every student's presence matters.
To support families in meeting these expectations, we have created the practical guidelines below.

Arriving Late to School

Students who arrive at school after 8:50am must report to the Student Office for a late pass
An explanation must be provided by a parent/caregiver via email to note@howick.school.nz
Students must arrive to all classes on time, organised and ready to learn. This includes being punctual for Tutor Class and assemblies
If a student accumulates 3 unjustified late arrivals—to school or to any class—a reflection will be issued. A reflection will be issued for every 3 unjustified late arrivals

Student Absence or Illness

If a student is unable to attend school due to illness, parents/caregivers must notify the school by emailing note@howick.school.nz, explaining the reason for the absence
If a student is absent due to illness for three or more days, parents/caregivers are expected to provide a medical certificate
If a student needs to be absent for one or more days because of special circumstances, their parents/caregivers must email note@howick.school.nz. This should be submitted at least 2 days before the intended absence and include the dates the student will be absent and the reason for the absence

Feeling Unwell at School

If a student begins to feel unwell while at school, the following steps must be followed:
During class time, the student must obtain a signed permission slip from their classroom teacher before going to the Health Centre
Students may visit the Health Centre during interval or lunchtime without a permission slip
The school nurse will assess the student's condition and, if necessary, contact the parent/caregiver to request consent for the student to go home
If contacted, the parent/caregiver should report to the Front Reception, and the student will be signed out and released from the Health Centre

Please Note: Students must not contact parents or caregivers directly and arrange to go home.

Planned Student Leave Request (3 or more days)

From Term 3, 2025 onwards, a Student Leave Request Form must be completed for all non-school related absences of 3 or more days
The form must be signed by each of the student's teachers at least two weeks in advance of the leave start date
Teachers will discuss any impact on learning and/or assessments created by the planned leave
Once completed, the form must be submitted to the Principal, who will review and code the leave as either justified or unjustified
Student Leave Request Forms can be collected from the Student Office or downloaded from our website

Please note: Unjustified leave does not guarantee extensions or additional support for assessments missed during the student's absence.

Appointments During School Hours

If a student has an appointment during school hours:

A parent or caregiver must email note@howick.school.nz in advance, stating the reason for the appointment
The student must sign out at the Student Office before leaving the school grounds
If the student returns on the same day, they must sign back in at the Student Office upon arrival

Where possible, we ask that appointments are made outside of school hours to minimise disruption to learning.

Year 13 Privileges

All Year 13 students are permitted to leave the school grounds at interval and lunchtime. All other students must remain on site during interval and lunchtime
Only Year 13 students who have earned unsupervised study may leave the school grounds during their study periods

Managing Absences and Lateness: A Guide for Families

For more detailed information on managing your child's attendance, please refer to our guide for families available on the school website.
Managing Absences & Lateness Guide Attendance Management Plan
Students must wear the correct uniform to, from, and at school. By wearing the Howick College uniform properly and in accordance with their year level, students demonstrate pride in being part of the Howick College community. Full details are available under our Uniform & Grooming page.

Arriving at School in Incorrect Uniform

If a student arrives at school in incorrect uniform, they must report to their House Dean before school. The Dean will:

Arrange a replacement item from the Student Office, or

Issue a temporary uniform pass, depending on the circumstances

Ongoing or Unacceptable Uniform Issues

If no acceptable reason is provided for incorrect uniform or grooming, or if a student repeatedly fails to meet these expectations, they will be withdrawn from class until the matter is resolved by their parent or caregiver.

Non-Uniform Items Worn at School

If a student is found wearing a non-uniform item in class or on school grounds:

The teacher will ask the student to remove the item

A lunchtime reflection will be issued

The item will be held securely at the Student Office until the end of the school day

If the student is uncooperative, they will be referred to their Dean or a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and further disciplinary action may follow.

Non-Removable Uniform Items

If the incorrect item cannot be removed (e.g. non-uniform shoes or trousers):

The student will be sent to their Dean or an SLT member

They will be supervised and given schoolwork to complete until the issue is resolved

Parents or caregivers will be contacted by phone

Permanent Uniform Permits

Students who need to wear a non-uniform item long-term must apply for a Permanent Uniform Permit. This requires:

A written explanation from a parent or caregiver

Supporting documentation e.g. medical certificate or cultural evidence

The Dean will review the request in consultation with the Associate Principal.

Please view the full Howick College Uniform Process here.
Uniform Process
As outlined in our Mobile Phone Process and in accordance with the Government's mandated "phones away for the day" policy, mobile phones, head phones or ear bud suse is NOT permitted from the time students enter the school grounds in the morning, until after the final bell at 3:20pm.

Key Requirements:

Mobile phones must be set to silent mode and stored in the student's school bag at all times throughout the school day

No headphones or earbuds may be used unless approved by Guidance or Learner Support

This includes during class, transitioning between classes, at interval, and at lunchtime

Consequences for Non-Compliance:

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

Mobile Phone Process
The Howick College Senior Ball provides our Year 12 and 13 students with an opportunity to celebrate their senior years.

Held at an off-site venue, entry requires a prepaid ticket with information emailed to students and parents. Student transport/safety to and from the event is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled Year 12 and 13 students only

Must achieve 80% regular physical attendance at school

All take home course and EOTC costs and sports fees must be paid in full

Students who left during the event year cannot attend as students, but may apply as outside partners

Excluded individuals: Expelled, excluded, or trespassed students cannot attend as students or partners

Code of Conduct Requirements

School rules apply throughout the event

Strictly prohibited: Drugs, alcohol, smoking or vaping

Students and guests who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or found in possession of prohibited items, will be denied entry to the ball and may be removed from the premises if already inside

Outside Partners

Only Year 13 students may apply to bring partners

Application form required to obtain permission

Partners do not have automatic right of attendance

Principal reserves the right to refuse unsuitable partners

Principal's Authority

Right to remove non-compliant students and guests without refund

May take further disciplinary action as required

Final decision on all attendees

School Responsibility

Covers the duration of the ball, while at the venue only

Pre-ball and after-ball events are private functions and parental responsibility. The School does not acknowledge or take responsibility for external events