Term 1 - Week 4

Tēnā koutou

This week many of our Year 9 students have been engaged in our noho/sleepover on our school marae, Rangatahi.  The noho involved a further induction into our kura and was a valuable learning experience for those students who were able to take part.  Students (and staff) participated in a range of activities including the game of Ki-o-rahi, hearing stories about our local area and prominent tupuna (ancestors) of the past, sharing kai together, and spending the night in our wharenui, Tia.  I would also like to acknowledge the staff who spent the evening and then stayed the night with the students - massive effort!

Today was Colours Day, a culmination of heaps of mahi over the first four weeks of school.  Colours Day is all about celebrating school spirit - something we do very well!  It was fantastic to see the students and staff dressed up in their house colours, and as always, the house chants to begin the day are an absolute standout!

School Photos take place in the Hall throughout the day on Tuesday 27 February.

Other important panui are below:

Kinloch Bus Notice
In order to keep students safe at all our bus stops, including Kinloch, it is important that students wait at the various bus shelters until all the buses are in and stopped.  We want to avoid chances of any accidents taking place so we ask that you remind your child(ren) to wait until the buses are completely stopped before moving towards the bus and entering the bus.  

Bring Your Own Device
We are a bring your own device (laptop) school.  We encourage each student to bring their laptop to school with them every day, charged, and with their charger.  We have begun the process of collecting information about which students will be eligible for a long-term loan laptop.  These laptops will be distributed within the next week.

New skirt
Starting from Term 2, 2024, we are excited to announce the addition of a straight-style skirt, alongside our current skirt, which is available for purchase via our website, as part of our school uniform options. With the introduction of this new skirt, the older style straight skirt, which has not been available for over six years, will no longer be a part of our uniform. From Term 3, 2024, it will be considered a non-uniform item.  The new straight-style skirt is not currently listed on the Argyle website.
We want to highlight that Year 12 students who currently own the older style straight skirt will be exempt from this change. We understand that requiring them to purchase a new skirt for just two terms would be unfair. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we strive to enhance and update our uniform options to better suit the preferences and needs of our students.

Forming Good Habits - Coming to School Consistently and on Time
We want to emphasise the importance of forming good habits when coming to school. By developing positive routines, we can create a learning environment for our tamariki that makes them want to be here. Ensuring they arrive by 8.45am, gives them the best chance to start the day feeling prepared. This means getting yourself sorted and prepped the night before sometimes. Teaching our kids to do this sets them up for good habits moving forwards. 

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

                                       Sporting News

Upcoming Events:
Monday 26th February- BOP Golf Championships 
Friday 1st March- BOPSS 3x3 Basketball Championships 
Friday 1st March- Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Athletics Finals Day
Saturday 2nd & 3rd March- BOPSS Senior Volleyball Champs 
 
Winter sports trials
Hockey
Girls trials:
Monday 26th February 5- 6.30pm
Wednesday 28th February 6 - 7:30pm
Boys Trials:
Tuesday 27th of February: 5-6:30pm
Thursday 29th of February 5-6:30pm
Trials will be held at the Taupo Hockey Turf
 
Rugby
1st XV Boys Rugby have started preseason skills and fitness on Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30pm
U16 Boys Rugby muster is on Wednesdays 3:30pm
Girls Rugby muster is Friday 8th March 3:30pm
 
Netball
There is a 4 week pre season skills and drills starting on Tuesday 27th February- 3:30pm-5:00pm on the school courts. All ages.
 
Basketball
Junior Prems Boys Basketball trials (Yr 9 & 10s)- Tuesday 27th February- 5pm-6:30pm. In the school gym
Year 9 Boys Basketball trials- Tuesday 5th March- 5pm-6:30pm, In the school gym.
 
Winter sports registration 
Next week we will be asking students to register for winter sports. Keep an eye out for more instructions on how to do this through our website. 
See the list of sports we offer below;
Football
Rugby
Netball
Hockey
Basketball

We are always looking for welcoming families to host our International students. 
We have multiple students arriving. Some will stay till December and others are staying for a full year. We have boys and girls, and will always take your preference into account. 
All those students are coming to NZ to experience the beauty of our country and the people who live here.
We are looking for homestays, who can be a second family for those students. Who will be able to engage them in their life. The students will need a room for themselves and of course they will have meals with you. The weekly allowance from January 2024 will be $290 per week. We can place two students from a different background in one family, if you can offer two rooms,  but won’t be able to place two students with the same nationality  in one family.
Before we will accept you, the school will visit you at your home and to talk about many practical aspects of hosting a student. We also will undertake a police vet check for core caregivers.
During the students stay you can rely on full 24/7 support from the school, to ensure a pleasant stay.
For more information, please get in touch with Aniek Lenoir on [email protected]. 
We will be able to send you an information package, and will follow up with a phone call.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support.
With their support we are able to reward the outstanding
effort and achievements of our students.