Papatoetoe High School Newsletter 2
Transcription
Papatoetoe High School Newsletter 2
w Papatoetoe High School Newsletter 2 18 March 2015 Dear Families Thank you to the large number of parents/caregivers who attended the student progress interviews last Thursday. The relationship that your son/daughter has with their academic mentor is a very important one in assisting with goal setting and monitoring achievement over the year. Students meet with their academic mentor once per week and there are key messages that will be delivered at various times, especially for seniors involved in NCEA. Our next round of student progress interviews will be early in term 2 and provide an opportunity to meet with the subject teachers of your son(s)/daughter(s). All students will receive a brief progress report at the end of term 1 which will provide a base for further discussion at the interviews. Congratulations are extended to the following students who gained their NCEA endorsed with excellence last year. Level 1 Jamon Amiga, Deepishka Deo, Ritu Gherra, Spencer Hart, Amandeep Kaur, Zicheng Lin, Catherine Ma, Cong Ma, Sam McDougall, Michelle Nguyen, Priyanka Prahalad, Jacqui Rawhiti, Jobandeep Singh, Kanav Singh, Rajpreet Singh, Ailen Suarez. Level 2 Saahil Chand, Simran Chandra, Stephen Ha, Matthew Keestra, Kajol Kumar, Makene Lemon, Sophanna Out, Tessa Shepherd, Chania Singh, Gursirat Tapia Level 3 Aaron Doung, Shainez Edwards, Vaneesha Kumar, Shayal Lal, Kaiqi Li, Lisa Lim, Nhu Y May Lim, Neha Naidu, Lisa Ru, Ashley Southgate, Jael Vattely. This represents a record number of excellence endorsements for the school and in addition we had 54 merit endorsements at level 1, 53 at level 2 and 31 at level 3. Preliminary figures for the NCEA results for the cohort of students that left our school in 2015 are also pleasing, with just over 74% of them gaining at least level 2 NCEA. This particular statistic is the most important one in determining comparisons between schools but the confirmed data isn’t available until late July/August. I extend my best wishes to those students competing at Polyfest this week and acknowledge the efforts of the tutors and the hours of work spent at rehearsal. Thank you to the large number of family members who attended our international performance evening at the Vodafone Events Centre last Wednesday. It was an enjoyable evening and showcases the cultural diversity of our school. P R GALL PRINCIPAL w UPCOMING EVENTS Friday 20 March ................................... Teacher only day 30 March-2 April.................................. International week celebrations Thursday 2 April .................................. Last day of term 1 Progress reports issued Monday 20 April .................................. First day term 2 Thursday 23 & Tuesday 28 April ...... Student Progress Interviews. Students released at 1.00p. Monday 27 April .................................. ANZAC Day observed Student Progress Interviews and Reporting for 2015 Thank you to all parents and students who came to our recent SPIs. We are very appreciative of your attendance, and the opportunity to communicate with you in this way about the progress of our students. Early feedback has shown us that this was a very successful day. We welcome your feedback, which can be sent to [email protected] TERM ONE 28 January – 2 April Were held on 12 March Student Progress Interview 1 with Academic Mentor Focussed on engagement with learning Thursday 2 April Progress Reports will be given to students and available through the Kamar portal. Course feedback re being responsible, being respectful, being a learner TERM TWO 20 April – 3 July 2-8pm Thursday 23 & Student Progress Interview 2 with subject/course teachers Tuesday 28 April Focus on progress in each course. (spread across two afternoons) Wednesday 1 July Academic Mentor Reports given to students and available through the Kamar portal Summary of progress in all courses Student’s own statement about progress against their 2015 goals TERM THREE 20 July – 25 September Monday 10 August to Preliminary Examinations for senior students Friday 21 August Thursday 10 September Student Progress Interview 3 with Academic Mentor Focus on progress in all courses, and course selection for 2016 TERM FOUR 12 October – (app. 6 November seniors) 9 December Monday 9 November NCEA external examinations begin Four days in November Junior examinations Approximately 6 Final Report for senior students given to students and available through November the Kamar portal 9 December Final Report for junior students given to students and available through the Kamar portal ASB Polyfest Group Performances Diversity Stage Diversity Stage helpers – Thursday, Friday, Saturday Vietnamese group – Friday 9.55 am Indian/Punjabi Fusion group - Friday 10.52 am Fijian group – Friday 1.46 pm (Saturday 12 noon) Hawaiian group - 3.26 pm (Saturday 10am) Samoan Speeches Year 9, 10 and 11 will take place on Wednesday, 18 March 2015, from 12.30 pm. Year 12, 13 and the Impromptu section will take place on Thursday, 19 March 2015 from 9.00am. Tongan Speeches Tongan Speech Competition will take place on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March 2015. Tongan Performances Friday 20 March 8:30am Papatoetoe High School Ma’ulu’ulu Friday 20 March 12:12pm Papatoetoe High School – Soke Niuean Speeches All speeches will take place Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March. Niuean Performance Friday 20 March 12.00pm – 12.30pm Learner Driver Licence Theory Sessions This programme is aimed at giving students support in learning driver licence theory, so that they can feel confident to sit their Learner Licence. If students attend three sessions, then sit and gain their Learner Licence, they may bring the receipt and licence to student reception to receive a $50 refund. We acknowledge the support of Auckland Council with this. This term there are four sessions in H2 at 3.30-5.00pm on Tuesdays. The opportunity will be repeated in term two and details will be in the school daily notices. Any enquiries to Mrs Banipal in the maths department w School Uniform All students are expected to wear the correct school uniform and we appreciate your support in achieving this. If a student is temporarily unable to wear the correct uniform, students should do the following: 1. Parent/caregiver to provide a note explaining why non-uniform item is being worn (eg, broken shoes). 2. Student to see their form teacher or dean as soon as possible in the day to get a temporary pass – normally these are given for a maximum of a couple of days. 3. If the time needed to replace shoes, jacket, jumper, etc is longer than a few days please contact the dean to discuss the matter. A supply of second-hand uniform items is available through the deans for student use. If there are any financial difficulties around getting uniform items please do not hesitate to let us know and we can provide your child with items that are clean and in good condition. We also have a number of shoes provided by KidsCan for our students to use. International Evening 2015 This year’s performance opened with a chillingly remarkable dance from our Kapa Haka group. The evening is based on celebrating the range of diverse cultures at our school and giving students a platform for coming together and sharing their skills. We had over 200 students performing dances from Tonga, Vietnam, Cook Island, Samoa, Fiji, India and Hawaii. They were well supported by parents and friends helping out backstage. The performances all showed strength, pride and dedication. A big thank you must go out to the tutors, student leaders and all the staff who have provided this opportunity for them. The majestic closing performance by the Fijian group got everyone enthusiastic and thrilled for having attended the show. We are very proud of our students and wish our Polyfest participants the best of luck. Manukau Institute of Technology Trades Academy The MIT Trades Academy was officially opened this week by the Associate Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Hon Louise Upston. Papatoetoe High School was represented by Dr Karen Dobric, who received a framed certificate on the school’s behalf, acknowledging that we are a foundation school in the first year of the Trades Academy. We have 30 Year 12 and 13 students attending MIT one day per week in the following areas: Primary Sector; Engineering (Computer Assisted Design; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning); Automotive; Building and Construction; and Hospitality. Each of the students is working towards a specific Vocational Pathway Award as part of their Level 2 NCEA Qualification, which includes MIT as well as school achievements. w In 2014 a group of our textiles students was commissioned by the Navy Museum in Devonport to create a quilt commemorating the outbreak of World War 1. Students worked closely with educators and museum curators to tell the stories of individual New Zealanders and the impact of World War 1 on their lives and families. The inaugural public display of the quilt was the “At Home At War” exhibition at Devonport Navy Museum in August 2014. This year the quilt is being loaned to Papatoetoe Historical Society and will feature in their commemorative exhibition “Lest we forget.” Environment Group 2015 The MAD (Make a Difference) Marine Environmental Camp was held on Motutapu Island from 20 - 23 January, 2015. The first day of the hui saw Nicholas Keestra and I, among the other MADsters, being welcomed onto Rangitoto Island by a local Ngāi Tai iwi member, and then climbing Rangitoto to experience the stunning 360° view of the Hauraki Gulf. The Motutapu Island campsite was exquisitely close to the beach, making it even easier for the MAD participants to engage in kayaking, snorkelling, recreational swimming and rock pool biological studies. We walked to the Motutapu Island Gun Battlements at dawn, revelling in the history of a place built out of necessity in the face of prominent danger. Dr Rochelle Constantine (PhD, whale expert at UoA) and other marine experts spoke about their jobs and the information gathered from their extensive research to the MADsters, and gave us the opportunity to question them. On our last day of the camp, we went on a dolphin and whale-watching boat tour. That experience in particular, seeing the lively dolphins and the seemingly gentle whales, was what told me I wanted to keep their home as pristine and liveable as possible. The MAD Marine Environmental Camp was a huge learning experience for me, and I would gladly do it again. Over four days, environmentally passionate students from schools all over the Auckland region came together to experience MAD, to be able to apply knowledge learnt back in their local regions and schools, and to Make A Difference. The MAD Camp was thought-provoking, fun and a great opportunity for any person interested in supporting the environment. I know I will never forget my group’s skit (“He was my favourite fish!”) and the incredibly passionate people I met. I would like to thank the MAD Camp leader, Cate Jessep, who was extremely supportive of Nicholas and I during the camp, and Mr Weldschidt, for sending in our MAD applications and giving us this great opportunity. “To waste, to destroy our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed.”― Theodore Roosevelt. Rebecca Thorby, 11 R11 Our school, being heavily involved with the environment, was invited to the Green Jam - Youth Sustainability Conference hosted by the Auckland Council in Western Springs on the 10th of March, 2015. I along with two other Year 11 students, Rebecca Thorby and Zoe Rogers, had the privilege of representing our school at this year’s Green Jam. This one-day forum’s key purpose was to inspire secondary school students to step-up and lead others to a sustainable future. To start the day, we were talked to by young leaders who are already making big differences in the world. They gave presentations on their story, how they became leaders, what inspired them, why we should make a difference, how we can help, and a lot more. I would like to thank the young leaders, Ben Dowdle, Florence Reynolds, Georgia Lala, Hannah Shingler, and Nalini Singh for their inspiring presentations. We then split-up and attended 6 different workshops in TAPAC and the Auckland Zoo which covered topics on the decline of bees and the affects it has on us, what we can do to help the population of bees rise, school related environmental activities, inspiring others to be more sustainable through movies, what others are doing to tackle environmental issues, and the importance of biodiversity in New Zealand. During these workshops we had opportunities to interact and build relationships with other inspired students from schools all around Auckland. To wrap up the Green Jam, we had a thorough action planning session, and finally reflected on our awesome day. This year’s Green Jam has been very influential and inspiring for all of us, and we would love to attend again next year to further expand on our leadership skills and connections. Rebecca, Zoe, and I, along with all the eager students and teachers who attend the Green Jam, will do our best to use what we learned from this amazing experience to help create a sustainable future. I would like to thank the facilitators, Bridget Glasgow and Rebecca Goffin, and our school’s Environment Group leader, Mr Weldschidt for supporting us and giving us this wonderful opportunity. -Nicholas Keestra w With Term 1 nearly at an end there are still some summer sports completing their seasons and we are starting to get our traditional winter sports codes up and running. This term we have added archery as a new sport where we have two teams competing on a weekly basis. We have also re-introduced softball with having both a boys and girls team. A big thank you to the staff and parents who have helped get softball back at Papatoetoe High School. Students are encouraged to read the daily notices for sports sign ups, meetings and trainings. SPORTS CONTRACT PROCEDURE: Due to some new regulations we have changed our sports contract system. Letters will be sent home to parents/guardians about the requirements and costs of each sport in which students are wishing to participate. There will be a return slip that needs to be signed by a parent/guardian giving students permission to play that sport and agreeing to pay any related costs. If there is no parent/guardian agreement students will NOT be able to participate. We please ask for your support in this new system and still hope we can provide students with the opportunity of representing Papatoetoe High School. If you know that your son/daughter is in a schools sports team and you have not received a letter please let the school sports co-ordinators know. SEEKING COACHES/MANAGERS: We are now in the process of looking for coaches/managers across the large variety of codes we offer at Papatoetoe High School. Sports teams cannot operate if there is no adult supervision present at trainings or on game days. We would be very grateful to anyone who is able to offer their services to coach, manage or officiate for a team at school this year. Please contact the sports coordinators (details below) for more information. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. COUNTIES MANUKAU ATHLETICS: On Wednesday 25th February 40 students represented the school at the Counties Manukau Athletic Championships. Our students gained the following results: Senior Girls Discus: Maryan Orake 6th Senior Girls Shotput: Ema Poasa 6th Senior Girls Javelin: Harriet Wright 3rd Senior Girls 200m: Lauren Gordon 2nd Senior Boys 800m: Michael Weldschidt 2nd Intermediate Boys 3000m: Jesse Weldschidt 1st CRICKET: This term we have had three teams playing. We have re-instated a Girls team who are showing signs of improvement each week as the majority of the team has not played the sport before. We have our Year 9/10 team playing in Auckland Crickets new initiative “Cricket Blitz” that encourages more students to play the game. They have been competitive and are currently 2nd in their section winning 3 out of 5 games. Our 1st XI Boys team have had a tough term but did manage to make the Gillette Cup Twenty 20 ¼ finals after an impressive win vs. Glendowie College. This win came about through a good partnership from Dhruvit Patel (Year 12) and Akshaye Luthra (Year 13) scoring 50 and 76 respectively. Other notable performances this season have come from Dylan Kippen (Year 12) who scored 63 vs. Westlake 3rd XI and Gurkirit Singh (Year 13) who took 4/18 vs. Westlake 3rd XI and scored a swashbuckling 84 not out against Kelston Boys. w ORIENTEERING: This sport still proves to be popular with our students with over 40 students competing in the Counties Manukau series each Monday afternoon. A number of students have gained credible placings: Papatoetoe High Race: Nicholas Bing (8th Senior Boys). Jacqui Rawhiti 9th, Deepal Prasad 7th, Lauren Gordon 6th and Natasha Pickering 4th in Senior Girls section. Pukekohe High Race: Lauren Gordon 10th Senior Girls. Rosehill College: Catherine Ma 6th Senior Girls. Lorenzo Vea’ila 10th Senior Boys. SOFTBALL: Our softball teams have shown signs of promise this year. Our boy’s team who are predominantly juniors showed improvement against much older opposition and narrowly lost their last game 4-3 to Sancta Maria which was a massive turnaround from the last time they played against each other. Our Girls team have had a record of 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw with 2 games remaining. They have managed two wins against McAuley 6-3 and 7-5. Their loss to Manurewa High was only by 1 point. Signs are strong for softball development in future years. VOLLEYBALL: Our Senior Girls and Boys teams have completed their seasons. The Girls team showed a good attitude right through the season and showed signs of improving against stronger opposition each week. For the 2nd year in a row our Senior Boys team went through the season undefeated wining the Southern Zone division. They progressed on to the greater Auckland Championships where they will be playing Auckland’s strongest volleyball school. They finished a credible 9th in their division with a 4 win and 2 loss record at the Auckland Champs. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/papatoetoehighsports We keep this up to date with sports news, results, fixtures and photos with the happenings of sport throughout the year. We will also be updating our school website in due course, which will also contain up to date sports information.