June 2024

Bollywood Showdown 2024 WINNERS!

We are thrilled to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of our team at the Bollywood Showdown 2024, an Auckland-based Indian dance competition held on Friday 28 June at the Dorothy Winstone Centre. This event draws the best talent from across the region, making our victory all the more significant.

Amidst fierce competition, our dedicated group of 15 students showcased incredible talent and perseverance. Each performance was a testament to their hours of practice, unwavering dedication, and passion for dance. Their hard work was rewarded as they came in first, not only winning a very large trophy but also securing a generous sum of prize money.

The journey to this victory wasn't easy. Our team faced numerous challenges, from intense rehearsals to balancing their academic commitments. However, their determination and resilience shone through. Their demonstration of manaakitanga and commitment to excellence has truly set a standard for all.

This victory is not just about the trophy or the prize money. It is about the spirit of teamwork, the bonds formed, and the shared joy of achieving something remarkable together. It's a reminder of what can be achieved when we work together, support each other, and strive for excellence.

Congratulations once again on this incredible achievement! Let's look forward to even more success and joy in the future.

Our Winning Team! Rhiane D’Souza Yr13, Shreya Dooblah Yr13, Zia Khan Yr13, Thrisha Shiju Yr13, Nuha Wadhwania Yr13 , Izabel Cyril Yr12, Tanisha Narsey Yr12, Aneisha Pathak Yr12, Mishti Saha Yr12, Soha Ekbote Yr11, Mridini Karnawat Yr11, Jiya Tailor Yr10, Ashreena Hanif Yr9, Saachi Ranchhod Yr9, Anshika Sinha Yr9

 Mānawatia a Matariki 2024 

Ngā manaakitanga | Maori Focus Group

With New Zealand celebrating Matariki, two of our student leaders, Danyon Varney and Nakkita Tuhaka, have been featured in the Auckland Council video: 'How do Aucklanders celebrate Matariki - what does Matariki mean for you?' https://www.facebook.com/aklcouncil/videos/1244920179820931/

Matariki Celebrations at Lynfield College

Matariki at Lynfield included celebrations with whanau, akonga and kaiako.

Our kapa haka group performed at Te Ringa Awhina (our school Marae), an activity in Te Reo Maori was driven by our akonga which taught whanau and rangatahi how to introduce themselves using the language, we shared kai, korero and listened to Maori Music.

Ka nui te mihi ki a Whaea Larissa, Whaea Maihi, te roopu whai take Maori (Maori focus group), nga akonga me nga whanau I tae ki te kura ki te whakanuia te wa o Matariki.

Year 9 GROWTH Coach Training

Wednesday 26 June saw the Year 9 student coaches complete their first day of training in the GROWTH coaching framework. One or two students from each Hui mai group are undertaking the training to become a student coach. Student coaches will have coaching conversations with their peers around their goals. Student coaches help to motivate others and enable them to plan the next steps towards achieving their goals. Student coaches gain confidence, communication and leadership skills along the way.

Pictures show students using the GROWTH (Goal, Reality, Options, Will, Tactics, Habits) framework in conversation with other budding coaches.

Students coaching students is a signature practice across Lynfield College. So far students in Year 9, 10 and 11 have been trained to be student coaches.

Brain Bee Challenge

On Wednesday 26 June, two Lynfield College Year 11 students, Eliza Shaikh and Sia Pai, visited The Centre for Brain Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, to compete in the annual Brain Bee neuroscience challenge. This challenge is an international competition that aims to encourage secondary school students to learn about the brain and its functions. The students spent the day immersed in the world of neuroscience, visiting labs, part in a Gel Electrophoresis demonstration, meeting neuroscientists and competing in the individual and group challenges. Congratulations to Eliza, who was the recipient of one of the 25 Neurological Foundation Brain Bee Internships that allow students to spend a day in the Centre for Brain Research.

Auckland.Scoop » New Zealand’s ‘Brainiest’ Students Compete For Brain Bee Glory 

Talanoa Evening | 25 June 2024 from 6 - 7.30 pm

Last night we gathered and celebrated our young Pacific students at our Term 2 Talanoa, where we recognised and awarded up to 50 outstanding individuals. The event was not just about accolades but also a learning experience, showcasing the diverse array of current services and programmes available in Term 3.

It was an enriching gathering where education and achievement took centre stage, promising a brighter future for our students. Thank you to all those who attended.

Lynfield College Production

That's a wrap on this year's highly successful production of Hairspray! The immense effort, expense, and energy invested in putting on a Broadway musical truly paid off. Lynfield's talent was evident in every performance. The cast, musicians, and creative team were delighted to see such great audience support.

Hairspray was a wild, musical ride set in the early 60s. While the catchy tunes kept us boppin', the story delved into more serious themes that taught us to look past the color of one's skin, and fight for every human being's equal rights. Some of the language would be considered offensive by today's standards. This vocabulary makes the show more authentic in terms of the era, and reflects the racist mindset of mainstream America that is a central to the play. 

The set represents the struggle for equal rights, with modern references to the continued challenges people of colour still face in America today. This show represented those themes faithfully, while still allowing the comic elements to shine through.

Many thanks to Ron Delgrosso and Vini Laga'aia for their photography.

Diversity and Women in Engineering

On Saturday 22 June, former pupils of Innovative Learning (IL), who are currently in Year 12 participated in the Diversity and Women in Engineering Summit. The day was designed to help them become familiar with different engineering courses and understand the importance of critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving at university.

Our students worked alongside 11 other groups to tackle a problem set in the year 2050, like the tasks we have in 9 IL. Our girls shined and performed exceptionally well, with one group winning the second prize for innovative thinking. We are incredibly proud of our students and particularly of our IL programme.

Japanese Trivia Night 

Friday 21 June was the annual New Zealand wide Japanese trivia night. Year 9 and 10 students from all over the country competed in trivia all about Japanese culture and customs. This year we submitted two groups and competed at Epsom Girls Grammar against other Auckland high schools.

Our groups consisted of Lynfield College 1 (Eugene Han, Satoru Kameyama, Hansel Michael, Dwayne Vyas) and Lynfield College 2 (Devyani Jogia, Jaime Ray, Saira Unni, Ati Vijay). Both teams competed very well but a special shout out to Lynfield College 1 for coming fourth place.

The night consisted of speeches from special guests from the Consulate General of Japan in Auckland, as well as prizes for first, second, third and best dressed. We are looking forward next year to sending more teams and aiming to reclaim the trophy.

Squash Premier Boys Incredible Result 

Our Squash Premier Boys team competed at the Auckland Secondary Schools' Squash Team Championships held at North Shore Squash Club on the 18 and 19 of June. This team were faced with a difficult draw and on the first day of competition ended up needing a victory over local rivals Green Bay High School to make it into the top four. This was an incredibly closely fought match coming down to the 5th game in the 5th match. Our team however managed to get across the line and finished the tournament in 4th, an incredible result considering injuries and illnesses to members of the team.  Left to Right: Michael Small, Ashwin Gupte, Oskar Ludvig, Calum Bint, Aditya Parab

Chess Federation Competition Our school's two Chess teams (A and B) participated in the West Auckland Chess Federation Interschool tournament held on Friday 14 June at the Waitakere Chess Club in Kelston. Both teams performed well and enjoyed the experience of being part of such a competitive chess tournament. In total 17 teams participated in the event. Our school's A team came 8th place and our school's B team came 12th. Special thanks to the parents who helped provide transportation for this tournament and to Mr Kumar for his support and mentoring. Congratulations to the following students

Gold Medal for 1st individually on Board 1: Ayaan Vasudeva

Year 9 Chinese Class Trip

On Friday 14 June, 44 students from our Year 9 Chinese classes went on a day trip to the New Zealand CNSST Cultural Learning Centre. While they were there, they attended two Chinese cultural lessons, Chinese Kungfu and Lantern making, which were enjoyed by everyone.

After the lessons, our students enjoyed a traditional Chinese Yum cha lunch at Lucky Fortune Chinese Restaurant where they practised their chopstick skills. Before the trip, the classes had been learning about Chinese chopsticks and students worked in groups and conducted research on the cultural elements of this practice. It was great to see them use these skills so well.

Many thanks go to Tui Tuia Learning Circle for giving us a Chinese programme grant to make these wonderful activities happen.

About the New Zealand CNSST

In 1998 Jenny Wang, QSM gathered together a group of people in her home garage who were all Chinese new settlers from China, Taiwan and other Asian countries to set up an organisation to help Chinese-speaking migrants to settle well in New Zealand. The charitable trust named ‘Manukau Chinese New Settlers Services Trust’ was born on 21 September 1998.

Having founded the organisation, Jenny Wang worked as the Executive Director for over 23 years and became a recipient of the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) in 2008 in recognition of work she has done with the local migrant community in New Zealand.

Orienteering Eden Park Sprints

On Wednesday 5 June, a group of our Year 11 Orienteers competed at the Orienteering Eden Park Sprints. This is an event which allows some of our best Orienteering athletes to race at a very different venue compared to the local West Auckland Schools they usually compete at. Part of this experience allows students to compete on the Eden Park Pitch, visit the home team changing rooms and even make a trip up into the Coaches Box as seen on TV. Congratulations to the following students who competed at the event.  Michelle He 6th, Caitlin Hsiao 9th, Kate Phillips 13th, Emily Yang 20th, Tehillah Hubert 27th