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

A Day of Learning Beyond the Classroom

In Term 1, students from the Beginner Language Class BLC, 9ELC, and 10ELC in the EAL Department took part in an engaging and educational trip to the Auckland Museum. The visit aimed to deepen students’ understanding of Māori and Pacific cultures while developing their language, thinking, and observational skills through real world experiences. The day was meaningful, productive, and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Upon arrival, students were welcomed by museum staff and guided to the Education Programme session, He Orokotaenga Mai. During this session, they were introduced to Māori creation pūrākau, or traditional stories, which provided valuable insights into Māori beliefs, values, and worldview. Through storytelling and interactive discussions, students connected this cultural knowledge to themes they have been studying in class.

The session also included pair and group activities where students explored objects and exhibits related to Māori and Pacific cultures. They observed carefully, shared ideas, and learned about the stories behind each artefact. These activities supported collaboration, critical thinking, and communication, all of which are important for both language learning and academic growth.

After the session, students explored the museum in small groups. Using a structured handout, they gathered information and completed tasks to reinforce their learning. Students were actively engaged, reading displays, asking questions, and making thoughtful observations. Many showed curiosity and enthusiasm as they discovered new knowledge.

One highlight of the trip was the Earthquake Simulation experience. Meredith Wong 9D3 shared, “I learned a lot from the trip, but the earthquake simulation was my favourite experience because it helped us feel what an earthquake is like and made us realise the importance of knowing what to do in that situation.” This experience helped students better understand real life situations and the importance of safety awareness in New Zealand.

Students also reflected positively on the trip. Mantej Singh 10J11 commented that “it was a fantastic and unexpected experience. I learned many things while enjoying the trip, and I feel that one day is not enough to explore everything.” His comment highlights the value of learning beyond the classroom.

The trip also supported academic learning. BLC students will write recounts based on their experience, while 9ELC and 10ELC students will connect their learning to storytelling and develop simple persuasive texts. They also completed structured emails, drawing on both the skills developed in Term 1 and their experiences during the trip.

Overall, the Auckland Museum visit was an enriching and memorable experience that strengthened students’ understanding, confidence, and curiosity.

~ Mrs B Bekker, EAL Teacher

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.

Contents:

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

Sea Week is New Zealand’s annual celebration of our oceans, designed to raise awareness about the protection of our marine environments. From Monday 2 to Friday 6 March, the Enviroschools Council hosted a range of events, with every day filled with different activities.

On Monday, students were given chalk to draw their favourite sea animals on the pavement!

On Tuesday, the Enviroschools leaders organised a small five-question quiz that was presented during Whānau assembly. This quiz provided fun facts surrounding sea life, highlighting the diverse species that live all around the world. It aimed to spread awareness, helping educate students on some endangered species that live in our seas, such as the Amazon River dolphin and Albatross, which are both unique animals that we strive to protect. Students who answered correctly were rewarded with a piece of chocolate, creating motivation and friendly competition. Overall, students had an enjoyable time engaging with the quiz, so we thought it a huge success

After sit-down lunch on Wednesday, students were invited to fold origami in the form of sea animals! We provided them with recycled paper as we put great consideration into caring for our environment. For guidance and inspiration, a couple of YouTube tutorials were used, helping them familiarize themselves with the art of origami. By the end, we were able to finish a collection of well-made fish, turtles, sharks etc. Overall, it was a very enjoyable hands-on activity that allowed students from all year levels to engage their inner child.

Our penultimate activity of the week was a stream water testing from the Kilkenny Stream. It was amazing to see students stop by and participate before continuing and for students to learn the importance of this testing and what we can do to help. It was especially interesting for us to learn how poor the water quality is in the stream – with both water clarity and phosphate being significantly above the value considered to be the trigger value to call the pollution hotline. Seeing students interested in something new to them is especially heartening to see and we hope we’ve inspired those who came to pursue environmental volunteering – potentially even water testing as well.

On Friday, BDSC’s school grounds were filled with colour as we held our first non-school uniform day of the year under the theme “blue and green”. It was great seeing students dressed up in vibrant sea colours and posing to take exciting photos with friends by the chalk art. Through our mufti-day, we were able to collectively show support towards sea life and advocate for marine protection. All donations will go towards our enviroschools groups here at BDSC.

~ Enviroschool Council Leaders