 Term 2 Issue 2 |
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Kia ora e te whanau o Whangaparāoa,
Extracurricular activities have always been a big part of my life. As a student at school, I was fortunate enough to have many different opportunities to partake in activities outside the classroom, from sport to theatre albeit backstage. As I reflect on my school days, many of the positive memories from school bring me back to the experiences outside the classroom. Although reasonably diligent inside the classroom, learning did not come easily for me as a teenager. I had to incorporate many of the skills learned outside the classroom into my learning. Skills such as resilience, commitment, and the desire to improve and enjoy what I was doing are skills I took from activities outside the classroom, and into what I do now in both my personal and professional life. As the Principal of our school, I love being a spectator to the activities on offer, which are far wider than I had as a teenager. I see the skills, determination, and drive to succeed in many of our young people, and it makes me so proud.
Why am I sharing this? As we enter the forthcoming literacy and numeracy examinations (next week) for many learners in Years 10 and 11, the same skills will be needed, just in a different context. Yes, there are opportunities later in the year should some of our learners not pass these exams, however, let's encourage our learners to make the most of this first formal qualification opportunity for 2024, and then build on their learning for the remainder of the year knowing they have this co-requisite qualification already in the bank.
Additionally, this time of the term is a bit of a grind. This is where it takes learner resilience, determination and desire to learn to continue to push through a content-heavy curriculum time. We could say this is where the training or rehearsals really do count to the final performance. If the learning is solid now, the results at the end of the year will be better. Please continue to encourage your learners to push through, attend school, and work hard in their learning. There is information further into this newsletter about the specific impact of extended learner absences.
Back to my opening observation. The opportunities for learners to participate in activities outside the classroom at our school are endless. This week we have our Junior School Production. From popping into some of the rehearsals I know we are in for a magnificent show, so grab your tickets and head along, it will be fabulous! Next week our Year 7 learners head away to the Hunua ranges for their camp. This, again, is an amazing opportunity for learners to develop resilience and friendships in an outside the classroom situation.
Thank you, our parents and the wider community, for your ongoing support of our school. We can't do this without your support and are very grateful.
Ngā mihi mahana
Steve McCracken
PRINCIPAL/TUMUAKI
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May
20 - 24 Year 9 / 10 Sports Camp
23 Year 8 HPV1
23 - 25 Junior Production
27 - 31 Year 7 Camp
28 Numeracy Co-requisite Exam
30 Literacy Co-requisite Exams
June
3 Kings Birthday
4 Staff Only Day - School closed for instruction
15 School Ball
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Recent News
Term Time AbsencesWe are again asking for home support in ensuring learners are at school when they should be. As we have already discussed this year, the impact of poor attendance on achievement is proven and a hot topic nationwide. We are not afraid to make an impassioned plea to parents and guardians to think carefully about choices which impact your child’s learning, specifically term time absences.
In 2023 we had three senior learners we strongly believe did not, at the end of year, reach their qualification level because of the impact extended family holidays had on their learning. Two of these learners did not achieve NCEA L3 and one learner missed their University Entrance qualification. Already this year we are seeing competent learners slipping behind and endangering their opportunities to gain year end qualifications or endorsements because of similar circumstances.
Family holidays and extended trips should only be taken during school holidays, except in exceptional circumstances.
Requests for non-school related leave other than specific appointments, sickness or bereavement, during the school year must be requested please in writing, in advance, and directed to [email protected]
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Nurse UpdateColds
Children generally experience multiple colds per year and adults can expect to experience 2-3 colds per year. They sometimes last a week or more.
The acute phase of a cold is generally 2-3 days, and then learners should be well enough to return to school. Learners are not required to be off school with mild cold symptoms.
Colds are caused by viruses and therefore antibiotics are ineffective.
Supports for colds include
- Otrivine nasal spray - improves nasal congestion
- Honey - helps cold symptoms and can improve sleep
- Vicks vaporub - reduces nasal congestion and can improve sleep
Please remind your young person about cough/ cold etiquette.
- Hand washing
- Coughing into your elbow
- Disposing of used tissues in a bin
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Writers FestivalOn Tuesday, 14 May a group of Year 7 and 8 learners made their way to Aotea Centre to hear from four magnificent writers.
They heard from an Iranian refugee who was almost kidnapped from school (Maryam Master); a Myth and Horse loving author (Rachael King) whose screenplay will be on Neon; an enthusiastic Polynesian poet (Selina Tusitala Marsh) who celebrated differences and helped youngsters ‘get out of knots’; and a motivating Kiwi writer (David Hill) who encouraged everyone to just start writing.
Many students were inspired by the talks and bought some of the books discussed by the authors - some were lucky enough to get their books signed!
It was a wonderful day celebrating literature.
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Deputy Principal - Cristian RodriguezA big thumbs up to Deputy Principal Cristian Rodriguez who is currently working on the final stages of his Doctorate thesis on Digital Entanglement.
In recent times Cristian has addressed the SoTel Symposium 2024 on technology in secondary schools, presented his research to a group of academics from all over the world at the Micro-phenomenology Lab, and received an invitation to present in person in Geneva later this year.
Someone once told Cristian that a Doctorate was a marathon of a journey - Cristian, we wish you luck for the last few miles of your marathon!
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Hosting an International StudentKia Ora Whānau
We have had a fantastic return to welcoming our wonderful international students to the coast.
Welcome to all our new families who have joined our hosting whānau and hello to future homestays.
We are asking for expressions of interest for hosting 2024 and beyond.
This is a great opportunity for you to experience hosting a student from another country and share with them your family and community.
If you would like to be considered for this opportunity please email Sue McKay [email protected] to discuss further. Alternatively, you are welcome to visit our college website and explore the information listed in the International tab.
We would love to hear from you. | |  |
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