From Friday 24 to Sunday 26 April, the second group of Silver Duke of Edinburgh students embarked on our three-day, two-night sea kayaking training and practice expedition around the beautiful Maraetai coast. Serving as essential preparation for our upcoming qualifying journey, we were required to use our skills and knowledge to navigate across the water and camp self-sufficiently.

For a lot of us, managing heavy sea kayaks on the open water was a completely new experience. Luckily, we had incredible weather throughout the trip. The water was glassy and flat for most of the journey, which was a huge help as we got used to the steady rhythm of paddling. The mornings at camp were definitely a little bit cold, but waking up to the beautiful sunrises and watching the sunsets over the water made it so worth it.

This trip really brought us together as a team and showed us how important communication is. Whether we were working together on our map skills to track and plan our routes or just shouting words of encouragement across the water when the paddling got tough, the shared memories and group morale are what really kept us going. We even managed some success with fishing. After a completely empty Day 1 where I think most of us thought we’d catch nothing, someone finally caught a fish while we were paddling along on Day 2, and from then on everything changed. The couple of people who had lines out kept reeling in a few more over the rest of the trip, which became a massive highlight for everyone. By the last day, everyone was feeling a little bit sore and tired, but the constant encouragement within the team kept our energy up all the way back to the boat ramp as we loaded up the gear and packed the kayaks away.

A big thank you to the awesome instructors Leroy and Simon, who came out with us and shared their expertise to keep us safe on the water. It was a really great experience for everyone involved, and our qualifying journey in October can’t come soon enough!

~ Amber Miller 11J11��

Cross Country

On Monday 30 March,��we hosted our annual��Cross Country��day��held on the school grounds. The��weather��was a little bit to be desired, but��we managed to get��through��the races before the��worst of it.��All students were running for points for their whānau and there were some great performances on the day,��with perseverance and determination kicking in on the last laps.

Our champs on the day were:��

Year 9 Girls: Olivia Stone 9K12
Year 9 Boys: Toby Morrow 9D9
Year 10 Girls:��Soyo Yamagami 10J17
Year 10 Boys: Tyler Lau 10J5
Senior Girls: Leah Yang 13K6
Senior Boys: Kade McLoughlan 11D9

Whānau Placings:

Congratulations to our overall whānau winner, Blake,��and all our Champs!

Athletics

Alumnus Noah Retford (graduated 2024)��is just finishing his��freshman��year at Northwood University in Michigan, USA, on a track and field scholarship for hurdles. He is studying a business degree with a major in automotive aftermarket and management. Given that his two passions are athletics/hurdles and cars, Noah has an amazing opportunity to be in one of the best college hurdles teams in the USA and study what he loves.��He also survived his first bitterly cold Michigan winter with temperatures dropping as low as -27 degrees some days!

In his first indoor track season, Noah broke the Auckland��Men’s��60m hurdles record and has the lead time in New Zealand for 2026. He entered the Northwood University record books with top ten fastest times for both 60m hurdles and 400m hurdles in his��freshman��year.

It is great to see our past students excelling in their passion.

Swimming��

Football

Sponsorship Opportunities

BDSC Sport��would like to create a mutually beneficial partnership within our school community and alumni family. If you��are in a position to��discuss��a sponsorship partnership.��We have��various��ways��to promote your business. From large digital billboard on Chapel Road,��Social��Media, branding on non-playing uniform, Botany Bulletin etc.��We can negotiate a package that is right for you, while��adding funding to the programme or a specific code.

Please��make contact with��Director of Sport,��Karl McLennan, to discuss further��k.mclennan@bdsc.school.nz

Thank You Bayleys Howick

Thank You Bayleys Howick for your continued support. It was a pleasure to show the Bayleys team around our school site and get a detailed tour from our lead students. Bayleys Howick have donated $1000.00 to the sports programme. The money will be set aside to support students who may miss out on sporting opportunities due to financial hardship. The challenging times we are in does mean some BDSC students may need a hand with sporting equipment. Shoes, Boots etc…

This is the second time Bayleys Howick have supported us in this way. We are very grateful for the continued support.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Adventurous Journey was one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences I have taken part in. Over three days, I travelled across Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands carrying a full pack, navigating unfamiliar tracks, and learning to live completely outdoors. From setting up my own tent to cooking meals in an open field using portable equipment, everything pushed me out of my comfort zone. Hiking long distances each day while carrying all my gear required determination and resilience, but reaching places like Billy Goat Point, the lava caves, and the summit made it all feel incredibly worthwhile. It felt really special being surrounded by nature and realising how capable I could be when I stepped away from my usual routine.

Although the journey was physically and mentally demanding, it taught me so much about independence, perseverance, and confidence. I learned how to take responsibility for myself, adapt to new situations, and keep going even when things felt difficult. It also showed me the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and pushing through challenges. Looking back, it truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helped me grow as a person, and it’s something I will always be proud of completing.

~ Saanvi Bharany 13E2

I recently took part in a week-long leadership programme in Vanuatu with students from New Zealand, Australia, and Vanuatu through the Future Leaders Academy. This was part of my Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award to complete my residential project.

As my first time visiting a Pacific island, the experience was both eye-opening and highly rewarding. The programme emphasised active leadership, with students like me being responsible for planning and leading all of the activities. We worked alongside non-government organisations to better understand Vanuatu’s socio-economic challenges, contributed to the community by painting buildings at a local primary school, participated in cultural activities, and supported environmental restoration projects.

These experiences helped me develop my problem-solving skills, strengthen my leadership abilities, and improve my confidence in working with others. I also gained a deeper understanding of the realities faced by communities in developing countries, and the importance of taking initiative to create positive change.

Overall, the trip had a lasting impact on my perspective and personal growth. I would strongly recommend the Future Leaders Academy to anyone looking to develop their leadership skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

~ Jack Wilson 13E2

Many of our students, including several Student Leaders, participated in the Howick ANZAC Parade, joining veterans and community members to honor those who fought for our country. The service was a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by military personnel and served as a valuable learning experience about the impact of war. By participating, BDSC students showed their commitment to honoring the past and keeping the memory of those who served alive for future generations.

Botany Downs Secondary ���߲ݴ�ý held its first Pasifika Fono of 2026, bringing together students, whānau, and staff for an evening celebrating culture and connection. Co-chairs Mele Manuatu 13K12 and Herriot Porter 13K12 welcomed the community, followed by a beautiful Tongan Hiva (hymn) that set a warm and uplifting tone.

The 2026 Pasifika Council was introduced, showcasing a strong team of senior and junior student leaders dedicated to empowering Pasifika learners. This year’s theme— “Our Culture, Our Strength, Our Success”—highlights the belief that cultural identity and personal resilience lay the foundation for achievement.

Associate Principal, Mrs Holmes shared key insights into Pasifika academic progress and the school’s continued focus on wellbeing, attendance, and strong community partnerships. Student voice was a major feature of the evening, with students describing success in terms of pride, improvement, family, and breaking stereotypes.

Families later joined in talanoa, offering feedback on how the school and whānau can work together to support Pasifika achievement.

We encourage whānau to continue attending our fonos, as your presence and partnership are vital to the success of our Pasifika learners.

~ Mrs Vanessa MacDonald, TiC Pasifika Council

Another year, another opportunity for Botany Downs Secondary ���߲ݴ�ý to attend the ASB Polyfest event. As one of Auckland’s biggest cultural festivals, Polyfest brings together thousands of students to celebrate and showcase their unique cultures through vibrant costumes, powerful performances, and strong cultural pride. It allows us to appreciate the diversity that makes our community so special.

This year, BDSC stepped onto the Polyfest stage with four diverse cultural groups: Chinese Lion, Punjabi, Indian, and Chinese dance. Each group proudly represented their culture while embracing this year’s theme, “Ko au ko te Taiao! Ko te Taiao ko au! He Toa Taiao Taiohi nō te Moana nui a Kiwa, āke, ake, ake!” (“The environment lives in me, as I live in it – a Pacific youth eco-warrior for generations to come”). The theme highlights the importance of caring for our environment and recognising the deep connection we have with it.

For BDSC students, Polyfest was an opportunity to represent our school with pride, support one another, and be part of something truly meaningful. Seeing performers step on and off the stage with big smiles is something that will remain unforgettable.

Many of BDSC’s cultural groups have performed not only on the Polyfest stage, but also at other places such as kindergartens and retirement homes. We are excited to continue sharing our cultures and performing on any stages that come our way in the future.

~ Rachel Ly 12J5 and Ivy Liong 13J11

Over the first few weeks of school, the BDSC Lion Dance team had the opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year by performing at several places within our community. We are extremely grateful to be given so many occasions to perform, especially so early in the school year, and we all had an amazing time at all the events!

In Week 4, we performed twice for young students at Pigeon Mountain Primary School, and also for Saplings Daycare. It was a great start to our performing year to be able to share culture with so many young people, who were so excited and eager to see us. It was also nostalgic to see ourselves in those students, probably never expecting to be the ones performing. Not only was it fun to perform, but it was also very helpful for us to get back into our old routine and find our rhythm to prepare for this new year.

The following week, we had the pleasure of going to Metlifecare in Beachlands. This performance was a new experience for us, and we were able to try out new moves so that we could weave them into our routine. The old folks had a wonderful time watching us and interacting with the lion, and we hope to have impressed them as they’re sure to have seen many lion dance performances like ours.

These events were not only fun and exciting, but memorable for us to help prepare for the future. We look forward to more opportunities in the future and are hopefully able to take some new recruits as the year progresses. Big thanks to Ms Yu for organising these performances for us, and to Dr Fu for driving us to the events! Keep an eye out for us, as we have more performances coming up!

~ Mia Chin 12D3

Making a Difference, One Hour at a Time

Service is at the heart of what makes Botany Downs Secondary ���߲ݴ�ý special. Through the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) Service Award programme, our students have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their communities, transforming hours into impact and compassion into action.

Our Service Journey: 2023-2025

The numbers tell a powerful story. Over the past three years, 447 BDSC students embraced the challenge of giving back, collectively creating ripples of positive change throughout our community and beyond. Their dedication earned:

• 27 Gold pins – recognising exceptional service commitments
• 57 Silver pins – honouring sustained volunteer efforts
• 153 Bronze pins – celebrating emerging community leaders
• 210 Members’ badges – welcoming students beginning their service journey

These aren’t just pins and badges—they’re symbols of countless hours spent tutoring younger students, supporting local organisations, protecting our environment, and strengthening our community bonds.

What is the SVA Service Award?

The SVA Service Award is a national framework that gives students across New Zealand—from Year 7 through Year 13—a way to record, track, and receive recognition for their volunteering efforts. Best of all, it’s completely free for all students.

The programme follows a simple philosophy: Log. Earn. Build. Use.

Students log their volunteering hours through the user-friendly SVA App or website. All forms of service count—whether it’s helping with school events, volunteering in the community, or supporting family and neighbours at home. As students reach hour milestones, they earn recognition pins that acknowledge their growing commitment. Over time, they build a comprehensive Summary of Service—a powerful document that strengthens university applications, enriches CVs, and opens doors to leadership opportunities.

Your Service Journey Starts Here

Ready to begin your own volunteering story? Getting started is simple:

1. Download the SVA App from the App Store or Google Play Store
2. Or create an account at volunteer.sva.org.nz
3. Start logging your service hours immediately

Your Service Record becomes more than a list of hours—it’s a detailed account of your volunteering journey, showcasing the events you’ve contributed to, the causes you’ve supported, and how your efforts align with global sustainability goals. This comprehensive record serves as invaluable documentation for student leadership roles, university and halls of residence applications, scholarship submissions, and future employment opportunities.

At BDSC, we believe that service isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. Whether you’re just beginning your volunteering journey or aiming for your Gold pin, every hour matters, every action counts, and every student has the power to make a difference.

Join the movement. Log your hours. Change the world.

��~ Shraddha Sharma, SVA Teacher in Charge

Monday 11 – Saturday 16 August was a very busy but successful week at the KBB Music Festival. Both the Orchestra and Jazz Band received Bronze awards at the Gala concert on Saturday evening.

The Jazz Band performed on Thursday evening. Unfortunately, our drummer was unwell and unable to perform. Luckily, Hamish was able to organise the drummer from the Howick ���߲ݴ�ý Jazz Band to play with BDSC. The student did an amazing job sight-reading the charts with the band.

The Honours Programme was held on Friday evening. We had four students selected for the two ensembles: Tiffany Ong 13D9, Candice Wang 13K6 and Rick Zhao 11J5 in the Chamber Orchestra, and Cici Wang 11K6 in the Concert Band. They all really enjoyed the experience.

~ Mrs L Treneman, Head of Music