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With the CAA Literacy and Numeracy Assessments beginning next week and internal assessments well underway across the senior school, the timing feels right to return to the theme I shared at our recent assembly: that it is our consistent, everyday efforts that shape our outcomes, not a last-minute push. Students who tend to do well are those who have shown up regularly, engaged with their learning, and built on it over time. I want to encourage all senior students to trust that preparation as they head into this busy period. All the best to our students as they prepare for their upcoming NCEA and CAA assessments. I am sure your hard work will pay off.  |
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Adrian Fastier |
In this newsletter:
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CAA Literacy and Numeracy Assessments |
The first round of the CAA Literacy and Numeracy Assessments for this year starts next week. All students involved in these exams have received an email regarding the day, time and location of their exam. Week 1: Monday 18th May - Year 12-13 Writing Tuesday 19th May - Year 11-13 Reading Wednesday 20th May - Year 11 Writing (Year 11 students do not have any timetabled classes on this day and will come in for their exam time only. Students must be in uniform). Week 2: Tuesday 26th May - Year 11-13 Numeracy Wednesday 27th May - Year 10 Numeracy (Year 10 students do not have any timetabled classes on this day and will come in for their exam time only. Students must be in uniform). All students must bring a charged laptop to their exam. They need to meet outside the exam room 15 minutes before their scheduled exam. They should have sorted their NZQA log-in so that they can access the test platform. Students sitting the numeracy exam need to also bring their calculator. Students who have specialist assessment conditions (SAC's) MUST check their Teams messages for the date and time of their exam. There are over 180 separate SAC sessions to timetable over the two weeks, so students will not necessarily be sitting the exam on the same day or time as their class or cohort. There is no way to make this possible. All SAC students need to come to E8 15 minutes before the time of their scheduled exam to meet their assistant. They also need to bring a charged laptop. Teachers have been working with students in English and Maths classes to help prepare students for sitting these exams. Students can be revising this work and ask their teachers for any clarification on what is expected. All the best to all students sitting these assessments. We wish you well. |
Tech Crew Gets Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access at The Court Theatre |
On 30 April, some members of Lincoln High School’s Tech Crew enjoyed a memorable behind-the-scenes workshop at The Court Theatre, gaining a rare insight into the technical magic that brings professional productions to life. Highlights included walking through the elevated gantries high above the stage, standing over a giant mirror suspended above water for Wāhine Mātātoa, discovering how the flickering candlelight effect was created for the chandelier in Death at Murder Manor, and viewing both the life-size set under construction for Let the Right One In alongside its detailed scale model. The group was also given an exclusive preview of upcoming productions and had the opportunity to step into backstage areas that are normally off-limits, even on standard theatre tours. For students interested in technical theatre, The Court Theatre offers incredible opportunities. In fact, some of our senior tech crew will soon be working as on-stage 'movers' for Let the Right One In, providing them with valuable industry experience. |
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Flynn Naysmith Takes Centre Stage |
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Upcoming Drama Productions |
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Lincoln High School Represent! On 2 May, two energetic Lincoln High School jazz groups took part in the Ōtautahi Jazz Jam, a Christchurch music event hosted at Christchurch Boys’ High School. The event is non‑competitive and provides an opportunity for schools to showcase their big bands and smaller combo groups in an environment focused on celebrating the music and the performance. It also gives students something purposeful to work towards early in the year, while gaining valuable performance experience. This year, the LHS Jazz Band once again took to the stage, performing two pieces: Vehicle, a driving, funk‑inspired work, and That’s It, a full‑on classic swing piece. The Polygons, a smaller, student‑driven ensemble, performed Work Song, a classic jazz blues. The group brought great energy and joy to the performance, supported by excellent soloing and strong ensemble playing. Both groups represented themselves and the school superbly. It is a real privilege to work with such a passionate and fun group of students, and to see their hard work pay off on stage. Congratulations to all involved on a fantastic night of jazz. |
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Open Day |
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On Tuesday 12th May, Lincoln High School welcomed well over 700 visitors to our annual Open Day, with prospective students and whānau enjoying an afternoon showcasing the many opportunities available across our school community. Running from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, the event provided families with the chance to explore our learning spaces, meet staff and students, and experience the vibrant culture of Lincoln High School firsthand. Guests were welcomed with speeches from our Principal, Head Students, and current Year 9 students, who shared their experiences and insights into life at Lincoln High School. A wide range of learning area displays highlighted the creativity, innovation, and diversity of programmes available to students. From hands-on activities to subject showcases, visitors were able to engage directly with staff and students across the school. The afternoon also featured outstanding performances from members of our Jazz Band and Kapa Haka group, both of which brought fantastic energy and school spirit to the event. Student guides led tours throughout the school, helping families explore our facilities while answering questions about school life, opportunities, and co-curricular activities. Thank you to all staff, students, and families who helped make the event such a success. We loved welcoming so many future Lincoln High School students onto our campus. |
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From The Archives - Uniform |
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Uniform at Lincoln High School has evolved over the years from including hats, rompers and ties, to non-uniform for Year 13 students to our current slick looking fit. In the district high school period and through into the early foundations of Lincoln being a high school the girls’ uniform consisted of a gymnasium tunic over a white blouse and navy bloomers with a school pattern beret and school tie all wrapped up with a navy blazer. For boys, they were required to wear a mid-grey jacket and shorts, grey shirt block boots or shoes, school stockings and a school cap. With the headmaster’s permission, senior boys could wear long trousers. PE uniform for boys was a white sleeveless singlet (guns out!), shorts and white tennis shoes. Uniform checks were routinely held with girls having to kneel in the hall to have the correct length of skirts checked. Fingernails were also checked and any too long were snipped! In the late 60s or early 70s Seventh Form (Year 13) students were allowed non-uniform; something that was in place until around 2020. The classic Lincoln uniform of green shorts, white polos or blouses, green jersey and green polar fleece jacket was introduced in the 80s and remained in place until a bright group of Year 9s turned up in our current uniform in 2017. The “classic green” included a winter and summer uniform, with the girls wearing long green and red tartan kilts through the colder months – often with pyjamas carefully hidden underneath. |
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Fun Facts:
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Students in the Spotlight - Chess Club |
The Lincoln High School Chess Club meets 4 days a week in A14. Over the year members can play social chess or competitive chess. One of the competitive competitions is a Chess ladder competition, where competitors are randomly allocated their original place and then they can challenge those up to two places above them. The goal is to work your way up the ladder to determine who is #1. |
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Staff PLT - Dr Nina Hood |
What helps learning “stick”? How do students move knowledge from short-term memory into long-term understanding? These were some of the key questions explored by Lincoln High School staff during a whole-staff professional learning session on Thursday 7 May, led by education researcher, Dr Nina Hood. Throughout the session, staff explored practical ideas such as retrieval practice, spaced learning, cognitive load, and explicit instruction. In simple terms, the focus was on understanding how teachers can help students remember learning more effectively, build confidence, and apply knowledge successfully over time. Teachers explored how small deliberate changes in classroom practice can have a significant impact on student learning outcomes. This includes helping students manage information more effectively, strengthening long-term memory through regular review and practice, and ensuring learning is carefully sequenced so students can build strong foundations before moving into more complex thinking and problem solving. The session also reinforced what we already know at Lincoln; the importance of relationships, belonging, motivation, and wellbeing in the learning process. Research shows that students learn best when they feel supported, connected, and confident in their learning environment. This ongoing work reflects Lincoln High School’s commitment to providing high-quality teaching and ensuring every student is supported to learn successfully and achieve their potential. |
Women in Motorsport Breakfast – April 20, 2026 |
During the April school holidays, five of our students attended the Women in Motorsport Breakfast at Ilex. Sponsored by Coates, the event brought together an inspiring group of women who are leaders across motorsport and high-performance sport. Students heard from keynote speaker Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand, along with a panel of highly accomplished women working in racing, engineering, data, and sports management. A key message shared throughout the morning was, “You can’t be what you can’t see,” highlighting the importance of visible role models for young women. Students also had the opportunity to connect with industry representatives and learn about the wide range of careers available in motorsport and related fields. Key takeaways included having confidence in their abilities, being open to new opportunities, and taking chances when they arise. It was an inspiring and valuable experience for everyone involved. |
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Careers Update |
We have a range of exciting careers events coming up to help students explore different pathways and future options. Caregivers also receive a fortnightly careers update through our new careers website, CareerWise, with key events, news, and job opportunities: If you haven’t been receiving these updates, please check your junk mail. If the issue continues, contact our team at lla@lincoln.school.nz. |
Upcoming Career Events for Term 2 for Year 12 and 13 students
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Event’s Outside of School for Senior Students
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Opportunities/Scholarships
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Short Courses – Explore & Upskill Short courses provide the opportunity for students to explore career pathways, gain hands-on experience and learn new skills. There are a range of opportunities available, primarily for students in year 12 and 13. To see what courses are available during the school holidays visit Careerwise Short Courses |
Latest Jobs Link: https://lincoln.careerwise.school/posts?category=jobs How caregivers can connect with us: Contact details: |
House Competition and Student Council Update |
HOUSE COMPETITION Term 2 House Events What a hoot! Our first House Spirit Week of the year was a massive success, packed with energy and friendly competition. From the grit of the House Tug of War, the creative flair of the Writing Challenge, the focus of the Sign Language Challenge to the incredible performances at our Annual Talent Quest, there was something for everyone. We wrapped it all up in style with a vibrant House Accessories Day. A huge shout-out to the Kūaka House Captains and Mr. Marshall for their tireless work in coordinating such a fantastic week. Thank you to everyone who jumped in and participated! Congratulations to our Writing Challenge winners: Prose: 1st = Zainab Racheel (Kūaka, year 9) 2nd = Sansithu Deepagoda (Kōtare, year 11) Poetry: 1st = Maree Botha (Īnaka, year 12) 2nd = Bella Le (Kūaka, year 9) Overall Spirit Week standings: Will be announced next week once we have crunched all the numbers Updated House Standings: Will be announced next week once we have crunched all the numbers
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YEAR 13 SCHOOL COUNCIL |
Values Recognition Award During the full school assembly in week 3, we celebrated two students who were recipients of the Values Recognition Award—an award given by students, for students. This award recognises those who demonstrate our school tikanga, contribute positively to the school community, and consistently strive to be their best. We awarded two junior and two senior students. Junior Recipients Scarlett Maguire Scarlett is recognised for her kindness and respectful nature towards everyone around her. She demonstrates whakamana through her respectful behaviour and manaakitanga through her positive and supportive attitude towards others. Her consistency in treating people well makes her a strong contributor to the school environment. Hadley Lauren Hadley is respectful to all their teachers and classmates and everyone they are around. They are reliable and will always turn up when you need them. They are supportive to everything you want to try. They are very resilient and always try their hardest at everything they do, and she is so caring and just amazing and really nice. Congratulations to Hadley Lauren for receiving this award. Senior Recipients Pippa Tyrer Pippa is an outstanding all-round individual who has contributed widely to the school through activities such as Tournament of Minds, netball, Student Executive, and representing the school at the SISS regatta. She consistently shows manaaki by supporting those around her and helping new students feel welcome, while also demonstrating whakapono through her reliability and commitment to everything she takes on. Her leadership, integrity, and genuine care for others make her a highly deserving nominee. Eric Zhang Eric is recognised as a truly exceptional role model within the school community. He consistently demonstrates whakamana through his kindness and respect towards others, whakapono through his reliability and strong work ethic, manaaki by supporting classmates and uplifting those around him, and manawaroa through his dedication to his studies and personal growth. His all-round character and commitment to others make him an incredibly deserving candidate. Congratulations to all students on this well-deserved recognition. LHS on Socials! Want to keep up with what’s happening around the school? Make sure you follow our school Instagram page! Run by our School Council, the page shares upcoming events, student achievements, sports results, reminders, and plenty of snapshots of school life. Give it a follow and stay connected with our school community! |
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Upcoming School Council Events Week 8 – Whānau Fest Save the Date: Senior Formal – Saturday 1st August – 730-1130pm – Wigram Air Force Museum Ongoing Activities Study Lounge – Every Monday in Wai Tūhura from 2:45-4:30pm Breakfast Club – Every Wednesday in Wai Ora from 7:45-8:30am Student Tutoring – contact tutor@lincoln.school.nz for more information |
OTHER STUDENT LEADERSHIP GROUPS IN ACTION Year 13 Emerging Futures Summit Last week, 26 of our Year 13 students attended the Emerging Futures Summit, run by YouthNZ, hosted across Christ's College, Christchurch Arts Centre, and the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Throughout the day, students took part in a range of workshops designed to help them reflect on the world they are stepping into and the opportunities ahead of them. The summit encouraged students to think about the influences and expectations that have shaped them, the challenges and pressures they are currently navigating, and the different pathways and possibilities available for their futures. It was a valuable opportunity for our students to pause, reflect, and build confidence in navigating an increasingly complex and fast-changing world. Youth NZ is offering “The Gap Chat: Caregivers Workshop”. The workshop is designed to support caregivers in understanding the changing world of work and how best to support their young person as they consider what comes next. Thursday 28th May |
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Extra Curricular Sponsorship Opportunity Lincoln High School is currently seeking local businesses or individuals who may be interested in supporting our sports programme. We are raising funds to help cover the ongoing costs of uniforms/travel/equipment, ensuring all of our students have the opportunity to represent our community with pride. In return, we can offer business promotion through social media recognition, and school communications. If you or your business would like to support local youth sport, please get in touch via email seg@lincoln.school.nz. We truly appreciate the incredible support our Lincoln community continues to show our students. Stacey Eggers (TIC Sport) |
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Term Two Dates for Your Diary
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