Our Expectations | Howick College

Policies & Processes

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.

Behaviour

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.
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.

Attendance & Punctuality

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 here.

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

Behaviour

Attendance & Punctuality

School Unifom

Student Leave Request Form

School Uniform

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 Uniform & Grooming)

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.
An after-school 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 click on the link to view the Howick College Uniform Process.

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.