From working dogs and quad bikes to crutching sheep and ultrasound pregnancy scans, Year 13 Albany Senior High School (ASHS) student Nirvana Fairey Foster has had an unforgettable introduction to life on the land – and she’s loved every second of it. Thanks to the Gateway program at ASHS, Nirvana has completed two farm placements … Read moreFrom the City to the Farm: Nirvana Finds Her Future Through Gateway

On Wednesday 6 August, Albany Senior High School (ASHS) proudly hosted the 2025 Young Leaders Day – a dynamic and inspiring event that brought together over 45 Year 12 students from high schools across the North Shore. Designed for students interested in stepping into formal leadership roles next year and beyond, the day was entirely … Read moreInspiring Future Trailblazers: Young Leaders Day at ASHS

This week, the Government has announced it will no longer support the construction of building open plan classrooms in schools – citing concerns around noise levels, student distraction, and the suitability of these spaces for structured teaching. But at Albany Senior High School (ASHS), where open plan learning has been a cornerstone since the school’s … Read moreOpen Minds in Open Spaces: Why ASHS Stands by Open Plan Learning

Year 11 and 12 ASHS Mooting Club members in action at the recent ASLM Competition at Diocesan College.    This year, I had the opportunity to co-run our schools mooting team as part of the ASLM (Aotearoa Secondary Schools Law Moot), and it’s been one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences of my high … Read moreStudent Voice: Mooting Reflection 2025, by Maddy Weaver (Year 13)

At Albany Senior High School (ASHS), environmental education isn’t just taught – it’s lived.Every Wednesday, students step out of the traditional classroom model and into Impact Projects – deep, inquiry-based learning focused on real-world issues. Through hubs like Blue Nature and Enviro 101, our ākonga (students) become scientists, innovators, and leaders tackling Aotearoa’s most pressing … Read moreFrom Classroom to Coastline: Rangatahi Leading the Way at ASHS

On Wednesday, May 28, Albany Senior High School (ASHS) came alive with purpose and pride as ākonga presented their Impact Projects – bold, student-led explorations of innovation, creativity, and community impact. The showcase was a true celebration of what happens when young people are given time, trust, and space to pursue their passions and solve … Read moreImpact Projects Showcase: Celebrating Purpose, Passion and Real-World Problem Solving

What if ākonga (students) could swap the classroom for a landscaping company, a veterinary clinic, or a design studio – without missing a beat in their education? At Albany Senior High School (ASHS), the Gateway programme is doing just that, helping our rangatahi step out of textbooks and into real-world careers. Real-World Learning, One Day … Read moreBeyond the Classroom: How Gateway is Fast-Tracking Future Careers

Every Wednesday, something extraordinary happens at Albany Senior High School (ASHS).Instead of filing into traditional classrooms, ākonga (students) fan out across studios, workshops, kitchens and gardens, pursuing deeply personal, often world-changing goals through the school’s hallmark programme: Impact Projects. Unique to ASHS, Impact Projects give ākonga an entire day each week to explore real-world challenges … Read moreReal-World Ready: Inside the Impact Project Journey

In Term 1, Albany Senior High School (ASHS) launched the Basketball Boys Academy – a new initiative designed to create connection, mentorship, and opportunity through sport. The programme was the brainchild of basketball coach Matt Cowie, a driving force behind the school’s wider Basketball Project, which focused on supporting young tāne in meaningful ways.  With … Read moreMore Than Basketball: Building Brotherhood and Belonging

Term One marked the end of what has been an exciting and challenging three years as Whānau ki te Ako Co-Lead and, more recently, Lead Principal.  While this mahi took me away from ASHS on Fridays, it allowed me to spend that time in our feeder schools, helping to build connection and collaboration across our … Read moreReflecting on an Exciting Journey: My Time as Whānau ki te Ako Lead Principal