Academy News 2025
| Annual Waitakere Cadets Dinner Hosted by The Massey High School Hospitality Academy | This annual formal dinner was designed, prepared and served by our students at MHS. The menu consisted of the following options and catered for forty-five people.
Vegetarian
The whole night was very well received with the following comment being typical of the experience. “The meal was outstanding, from the rooms appearance when we walked in, the students serving dressed smartly and professionally presenting our meals and drinks in a formal setting. The food tasted as amazing as it looked. Huge thank you to the staff that supported the students to create a phenomenal formal dinner.” Our students are very lucky to have the Academies. The parents that were in attendance were very jealous that their kids don’t come here. Students were here prepared and setting up from 2.30, we finished at 9.15pm. Thank you to all our Hospitality students who took part. Taymullah Buksh, Danial Argent. Cole Lucas, Erin Parris, Christine Naidoo, Xavier Wilkins, Viliamu Tusa Fa'alili were back of house. Aviu Falani, Keira Hirzel, Jordon Mitchell-Sargen, William Marsters, Philip Ormandy, Devon Mitich, Talei Naigulevu, Galifale Talafou, Phoenix Smith, Aiden Skeet and Sam Hooper were front of house. | |||||||||||||||||
| Academy Showcase 2025 Celebrated in Style. | Such a wonderful evening on Wednesday 15th October in the PAC. Fantastic to see our Academy Community up on stage, whanau support in the audience and to celebrate the success of these outstanding young adults. Thank you to all our staff and students for their input and hard mahi during the year and to make last night such a success. Plus, not to forget the great support that goes on at home. Many thanks to you all. Special Thanks to: Abi Deans, Sam Paauwe and Rocky, (Sepu), Leeaupepe, our Academy Prefect Interview Team, plus the behind-the-scenes helpers for running such a joyous event. Sound Desk Team Karlin Yip and Liam Taylor for doing such a good job and always being available. Sarah Maxwell for doing all those certificates and her organisation. Hospitality, students and Scott Wright, Nyla Hanson, and Team for the food beforehand. Luke Kanuta for getting the sponsorship for our Construction students. Tutors and students for being so positive as usual. So nice to see Kaylamesha Fahiua presenting our building team with those memory photo boards, says it all about what the academies strive for. Many thanks to our generous sponsors who allowed to night to be such a success. They are: Western ITM Swanson, Makita, Southern Hospitality, Soljans, Repco and BTN. A really inspiring night, and we look forward to seeing our 2026 seek those heights as well. Have a great holiday all when that time arrives. Nick Hackett | |||||||||||||||||
| Massey High Takes the Heat at Waikato Culinary Fare 2025. | The final week of Term 2 saw Massey High School's Hospitality Academy shine at the Waikato Culinary Fare, New Zealand’s largest regional student cookery competition, hosted by Wintec in Hamilton. Our students went above and beyond showcasing impressive innovation in key creative categories including creative Burgers, creative Pizzas, Cakes & Cupcakes and Cold Desserts. Judges were impressed by dishes “that looked and tasted like they came from top patisseries,” far beyond what one might expect from secondary students. Competing across a range of live and static challenges, our students delivered with creativity, and technical skill. Led by our dedicated hospitality tutors they came home with an impressive haul Gold Medals (2), Silver Medals (6), Bronze Medals (9), Merit Certificates (3). Our heartfelt thanks to the Wintec Culinary team and judges for organising a memorable event. Congratulations to all entrants for their courage, creativity, and community spirit especially those with medals, who’ve made Massey High immensely proud. Our winners are:
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| Year 13 Tourism Academy | On Monday, some of our incredible Year 13 Tourism Academy students took their learning beyond the classroom and all the way to the Zoo! They proudly presented their Eco-Tourism Projects, showcasing a powerful mix of sustainability, creativity, and community spirit. Check out the amazing initiatives they’ve been involved in: - Built sustainable planter boxes with Taupaki School- Collected and recycled dental waste- Taught tamariki at Royal Road Primary about native birds and made bird feeders- Created an underwater display to highlight the impact of ocean plastic- Planted Mānuka trees near the Massey High School beehives- Collected stationery for the Back to School Project- Helped maintain gardens at a local rest home- Planted veggie seedlings with Colwill Primary students- Ran a fun recycling race and education session with Waitākere SDA Primary! The range and quality of these projects were absolutely inspiring. Our students have gained hands-on experience in sustainability, teamwork, and making a difference in their community. We couldn’t be prouder! These projects are run as part of an Eco-Tourism course led by the International Travel College. | |||||||||||||||||
| Year 13 Tourism Academy | Growing Together: A Collaboration Rooted in Sustainability Three of our incredible Year 13 Tourism Academy students – Megan, Taylim, and Brooke – have been working on Eco-Tourism project that’s not just hands-on, but heart-filled too. As part of a meaningful partnership with Taupaki Primary School’s Student Council, these senior students have co-designed and delivered two beautiful planter boxes for the school’s soon-to-be-developed outdoor learning space. The planters don’t just look good – they incorporate sustainability principles that will support the primary students' learning for years to come. From selecting materials to planning the layout and working alongside younger students, Megan, Taylim, and Brooke have shown leadership, creativity, and a genuine commitment to community engagement. Their work encourages younger learners to think about how we care for our environment through sustainable gardening. A huge shout-out also goes to our talented Building Academy tutors, who brought the designs to life by constructing and painting the planters using timber off-cuts. Not only did this reduce waste, but it made the entire project a brilliant example of cross-academy collaboration. We think you’ll agree – the final result is absolutely spectacular! This is what authentic learning and giving back looks like. Well done to everyone involved! | |||||||||||||||||
| Year 11 Hospitality Academy’s Chelsea Sugar Factory Trip Wednesday 28th May. | Wednesday’s trip to the Chelsea Sugar Factory was again another success. Our students represented Massey High School with pride, displaying exemplary behaviour throughout the day. We received outstanding feedback from the Chelsea staff, who were thoroughly impressed with the group's conduct and engagement. The day began with an informative and engaging tour around and inside the factory. One of the highlights for many students was entering the iconic Sugar Mountain. The overwhelming smells in certain areas gave students a newfound appreciation for the refining process, especially for white sugar. Students then participated in a baking class where they each created a pack of delicious yoyo cookies, much like melting moments, filled with a tangy passionfruit cream. This practical session was a definite favourite. To end the day, students explored the Interactive Zone. For anyone who hasn't visited yet, we highly recommend the Chelsea Sugar Factory tour for it’s a unique, educational, and delicious experience! Felicity Palmer Hospitality Tutor. | |||||||||||||||||
| Rotary Dinner: A Showcase of Culinary Excellence by MHS Hospitality Students. | In a delightful evening of fine dining and hospitality, Level 2 and 3 hospitality students took centre stage at a special Rotary dinner, serving up an exquisite meal to 30 guests. The event was a testament to their dedication, skill, and passion for the culinary arts, leaving guests thoroughly impressed. The evening began with a selection of bread and dips, providing a warm and inviting start to the dining experience. Guests enjoyed freshly baked bread paired with a variety of flavourful dips, setting the tone for the carefully crafted menu to follow. For the main course, the students showcased their mastery in cooking and presentation with crispy pork belly, elegantly paired with a rich and flavourful chilli caramel sauce. The combination of tender, perfectly cooked pork and the sweet heat of the sauce highlighted the students’ ability to balance flavours and textures. To conclude the evening on a sweet note, a baked cheesecake was served with a raspberry coulis, offering a creamy, indulgent finish. The dessert was a testament to the students’ attention to detail, as each slice was perfectly set and beautifully presented. Beyond the impressive menu, the dinner was a valuable opportunity for hospitality students to gain hands-on experience in food preparation, service, and customer engagement. Working in a real event setting, they demonstrated teamwork, professionalism, and a keen understanding of hospitality standards. The Rotary dinner not only celebrated great food but also provided an excellent platform for these students to shine, showing their commitment to delivering a high-quality dining experience. Their skills and hard work were appreciated by all, making the event a resounding success. Fifteen students were involved in the evening, and our thanks also go to their Hospitality tutors for their guidance. As a result of the success of the night, we have been invited to be part of an event at The Trusts Stadium later this year involving 250 guests. We look forward to such an exciting event as well. | |||||||||||||||||
