School Expectations

School Uniform

The Heretaunga College uniform is a gender-neutral uniform.  Students have a range of options from which to select to make them feel comfortable and to provide a sense of belonging to our kura.  Consultation with our student, staff and whānau community led to changes being made to the uniform from 2024.  

Our uniform encompasses both the uniform items and the expectations around appearance.  Students wearing the Heretaunga College uniform are expected to wear uniform items correctly, and follow appearance expectations in representing our college and our PRIDE values.  Upon enrolment, students and caregivers have signed a declaration acknowledging agreement to follow the Heretaunga College uniform expectations.

NZ Uniforms supplies the Heretaunga College uniform.  Payment Options: NZ Uniforms accepts cash, Eftpos, all major credit cards and WINZ payments. They also offer ZIP and have a ‘Uniform Club’ which is a great way to save for your school uniform purchases – ask them for more details.

NZ Uniforms
4 Jackson Street, Petone
Ph: 04 282 0129
Website: www.nzuniforms.com

School uniform must be worn to and from school, in school time and when attending functions associated with the College outside school hours.  Those students without the correct uniform may be removed from class and parents/caregivers contacted.  Non-regulation uniform items may be confiscated.  All clothing and footwear should be clearly named.

It is expected that students arrive at school and leave school wearing their correct uniform unless having attended an after-school sports event. Formal lavalava also known as sulu, tupenu, ie-faitaga are also now part of our uniform. These must be plain black.

Mobile Phones @ HC

Heretaunga College is committed to ensuring students have access to learning environments free of distraction and disruption. Student access to mobile phones in classrooms and teaching areas while learning is taking place has long been recognised as contributing to disrupted learning experiences.

In 2023 and in 2026, consultation with students, staff and whānau was undertaken to gather information and perspectives on the school's policy regarding mobile phones. The outcomes of this consultation have directly shaped these updated procedures. This aligns with the government’s “Phones Away for the Day” policy released in January 2024, which provides clear guidelines around mobile phone use in schools across New Zealand.

International research consistently highlights that mobile phones at school present significant challenges, primarily by creating major learning distractions. These rules are designed to maximise student focus and academic progress while minimising opportunities for distraction and cyberbullying.

Under our “phones away for the day” approach, as soon as the students arrive on the school site they must keep their phones switched off and stowed inside their bags for the entire school day, including break times. This applies to all students, including those visiting onsite.

Students who choose to bring a mobile phone onto school grounds do so entirely at their own risk. Heretaunga College accepts no responsibility for any accidental loss, theft or damage to personal devices.

While we understand that parents may wish to stay in touch with their children, students can catch up on messages once they leave the school grounds at the end of the day. If the student needs to contact a parent/caregiver during the school day they must come to the school office. If a parent/caregiver needs to reach their child during school hours for an emergency or urgent matter, please contact the main school office directly at 04 939 9370.

Further details on national guidelines can be found on the Ministry of Education’s ‘Using phones at school’ page: https://www.education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/digital-technology/using-phones-school