Delivering the Promise ConferenceOn 14 March, Whangaparaoa College hosted the Internation Conference "Delivering the Promise". Guest presenters Brett Salakas (HP Educationa Ambassador) and Mike Reading (Director of Using Technology Better) battled out over the latest innovation in AI, VR, AR and the Metaverse and strategies to include them in the classroom.
The evening culminated in an EdTech Exhibition where educators could further explore the potential of technology in schools as well as enjoy our hospitality.    Memorial for Jan CrouchWe recently recognised Jan Crouch, past staff member and RTLB teacher, with a memorial and installation of a friendship bench in the Year 7 area. There was a good turnout of family, friends and colleagues to remember Jan. It was Jan’s idea that we have a friendship bench to assist learners in making friendship connections. Our Year 7 teachers are teaching our learners about the purpose of the bench seat and looking out for each other.  School Tv - Understanding Adolescence“Parenting adolescents can be demanding, terrifying, exhausting and a sanity threatening endeavour. Often it can be a lonely business with many parents being afraid to share their concerns.”
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
Adolescence is a significant developmental stage marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is characterised by an emerging sense of self-identity, exploration of personal interests, beliefs, values and goals, increased independence and autonomy beyond the family, growing responsibility, increased engagement in risk behaviours, emerging sexuality, amplified significance of peers, intensification of gender stereotypes, and shifting relationships with parents and caregivers. Adolescents seek increased independence and autonomy, which requires ongoing negotiation and compromise within the parent-child relationship
For more visit:
https://wgpcollege.nz.schooltv.me/newsletter/understanding-adolescence
NZ Music Commission's Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme at Whangaparaoa CollegeThis year Whangaparaoa College was a part of the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme. This was made possible through the support of the Ministry of Education with the purpose of placing music industry professionals into classrooms to support our music students with their aspirations in performance, song writing, composition, digital production and understanding aspects of the music industry.
Ten lucky learners got to be part of the workshop on Wednesday, 22 and Thursday, 23 March and go to work with a music industry professional and mentor called Phodiso. Meeting and working with a music professional has made a long-lasting inspiration for our music students, especially in the area of songwriting and composition work and which can also gain them NCEA credits.    House Tug of WarThe house tug of war was won by the proud Water House. Each house had a team made up of a boy and girl from each year level. The four Houses battled it out on the field during lunchtime to determine the strongest house. Shown below is the Water House pulling their way to victory!
 Voices of Hope 'Behind the Jersey' PresentationRecently a group of around 200 Health learners and athletes had the privilege of listening to some amazing presenters from Voices of Hope's 'Behind the Jersey' campaign. They heard from both co-founders, Jazz Thornton and Genevieve Mora, as well as Izzy Dagg to highlight the message 'It's not weak to speak' and to bring awareness to mental health in the sporting world.   CYC Trust - JUMP EventThe CYC Trust Youth Workers headed to JUMP with 92 learners on a recent Friday night! It was an awesome time of fun and connection for young people. CYC Trust exists to build resilient individuals and a stronger community.   EnviroGroupOur community is plagued by a variety of invasive species, animal or plant, which harm our native wildlife, outcompete them, and apply pressure that, if left unchallenged, will lead to the eventual extinction of our beloved flora and fauna. You might think there’s nothing you can do about this, but that’s not true. For the sake of this article, I will be discussing Aotearoa New Zealand’s most invasive plant species: mothplant.
 The picture included shows different parts of the moth plant, all of which are easily Google-able to help you identify this harmful plant. One of its most identifiable features is the toxic white sap it bleeds when the stem is cut that is an irritant and can kill beneficial insects.
You might be surprised to discover how often this plant pops up all over the Hibiscus Coast, and across the country. Being a vine, moth plant climbs on top of and suffocates other plants, stealing their water and sunlight, slowly killing these plants. Many of these will be natives. Its flowers are pollinated instead of native flowers, allowing it to flourish while they fade. And it sprouts many, many pods, each of which contains a thousand seeds.
Eventually, these pods will burst, and disperse the seeds, creating thousands more moth plants to continue its domination.
But there are easy, accessible methods to getting rid of these plants, which are well worth the effort. If the plant is small enough, it can simply be pulled out of the ground- just make sure to get the roots as well! If a little bigger, it’s best to cut the stem and paste the part still in the ground with a mothplant weed killer, such as Weed Weapon Invade Gel. These aren’t difficult to come across.
The Whangaparaoa Library has a supply of MetGel poison paste and tools that you can borrow for free. If you’ve come across a massive moth plant, you might want to cut at the stump enough to access its inside, and paste this with a moth plant weedkiller. This will slowly kill the plant. Look around for pods- these will be further up the plant- and gently bring them down without breaking them. Gather these in a bag, tie a tight knot and throw them away in your general landfill rubbish bag.
There is also a weedbin at the Whangaparaoa Library where you can dispose of mothplant pods (plus lots of other pest plants) safely. If they’re too high up to just be grabbed, you may want to use a pole or rake to drag the vine down to a more accessible level. When hunting for mothplant, remember to wear gloves and be wary of the toxic sap. Nature will thank you for it!
Image: A bag of moth plant pods, with a flower and stem surrounding it
Ruby Douglas
Senior Kaitiaki Tangata (EnviroGroup) leader
SportsFour Sailors from Whangaparaoa College were very privileged to be selected to take part in the Inspire Sail GP program down in Christchurch.
Aimee Bright and Kosta Gladiadis participated in the wing foiling event, Holly Gray, and Finn Pye in the foiling Wasp event.
The inspire participants were given a special tour of the Team NZ Sail GP boat and shown all the amazing technology and designs that makes these boats go so fast. These state of the art boats are like the formula one of car racing reaching speeds of up to 75km/hour around the course.
The team were coached in their foiling crafts and got to demonstrate their skills as part of the entertainment to the sold out crowd that came to Christchurch to watch big boats race. It was an incredible opportunity for 4 Whangaparaoa college students to be a part of this Internationals Sailing Event.
  We took six teams down to the HBC Raiders to compete in the North Harbour KiwiTag Festival. Our learners had a lot of fun playing in the sunshine, while playing some tag. Big thank you to all our student coaches.   Congratulations to our boys who qualified for Tag Auckland Champs and competed against all the other top schools finishing 7th in Auckland. Great effort boys!   Congratulations to Year 11 Learner Zoe Pedersen who competed at the Auckland Swimming Champs recently. Zoe did exceptionally well winning gold in the 50 Freestyle, 50 Backstroke and 50 Fly.
Hosting an International StudentKia Ora Whānau
We are very excited to be welcoming a large number of International's for term 3 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.  Lumino 2023The Lumino the Dentists Mobile Unit is scheduled to come to Whangaparaoa College in 2023. Term 1, weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
The Lumino the Dentists, School Smiles Programme is fully funded by the Ministry of Health. It offers free dental examinations, oral health education, x-rays and a professional dental clean for students in year 9 to year 13, *up until their 18th birthday.
Treatment including white fillings, sealants and extractions of baby teeth are also provided on the school grounds as required. For other treatment not completed on board the unit, you will be referred to your local practice or orthodontic specialist.
Enrol with us!
If you’d like us to see your child during our visit, please complete the online enrolment form via the link below. If we have seen your child at Whangaparaoa before, please also complete this online enrolment form, to make sure we have up to date contact/medical information for your child, as we now advise our patients/their parents of upcoming appointments via text message.
Please call or text us on 0272228521 if you have any questions.
Click here to enrol with Mobile 3 Community Notices Manly Volunteer Fire BrigadeManly Volunteer Fire Brigade - Expression of Interest is now OPEN.
Volunteer Firefighters: Join the Brave Few and Make a Difference!
Are you looking for a way to help your community? Are you looking for a way to make a difference? Become a volunteer firefighter at Manly Volunteer Fire Brigade!
Volunteer firefighters make up a vital part of New Zealand's emergency services. They are the first responders when emergencies strike and help to protect lives and property in their local area.
Volunteer firefighters are highly trained and equipped with up-to-date skills and knowledge to help those in need. They are a dedicated, brave and compassionate group of individuals who are committed to helping the community they serve.
If you are looking for a rewarding way to make a difference, come join the brave few and become a volunteer firefighter.
Access to the Expression of Interest application via our facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/manlyvolunteerfirebrigade/
Fill out the form, and we will contact you.      |
