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Kia Ora Tatou
This week nearly all of Year 11 attended a science field trip looking at the use of water from both the Kawerau and Clutha rivers. This has been a great opportunity for our students to visit water users including the Roaring Meg power station as well orchardists in Central Otago. This has been a new development for our NCEA Level 1 science course and will help students see the application of science in our community. I am extremely grateful to the Science Department for organising this trip. It was a long day for both students and staff.
Year 10 Camp, Tautuku
Next week I expect that all Year 10 students will spend some time at the annual Year 10 camp at Tautuku. There are some changes to the camp activities for 2024 and I know that students will enjoy the time in a very special part of our country.
For parents, I know that some students will be anxious about going. Please be encouraging and supportive. The experiences that they will have on camp can be significant and life changing, allowing them to develop team work, communication and leadership skills. Year 10 camp is a very positive experience for students and many senior students put their names forward to return as leaders.
Parents, please do send your child to the camp. We will take good care of them and they will enjoy the experience!
Uniform
For the majority of students they are looking very smart and tidy in their uniform. However, we have a few students who are not getting it quite right. The common issues are:
Hoodies, these are not part of the school uniform and should not be worn at school
Incorrect footwear. The choices are black shoes or roman sandals. Some students have been cutting the back strap off their roman sandals to make them in a form of ‘scuffs’. This is not accepted and students will be asked to get into their school shoes and have their sandals repaired/replaced
Jewellery, a number of students wearing rings and multiple bracelets. Students will be asked to remove these. Students are permitted to wear taonga but these should be worn under their clothing.
We ask parents to support by ensuring that your child leaves for school each day appropriately dressed for school.
School accounts
Next week we are expecting to send out school accounts. These will detail clearly what is a donation and what is a fee. Fees may be for resources that courses may charge which are optional for the student/whanau to purchase. It may also be for extra curricular activities such as sports subscriptions. The school does expect that outstanding accounts for previous years sports fees to be paid prior to participating in the 2024 season.
There is an option for families to make regular payments directly into the school account so that these fees are cleared by the end of the year. Please contact the school office for assistance with setting this up.
It is timely to remind whanau that senior students are to have cleared their account prior to the purchase of tickets to the SNOB. I have been informed that this year the SNOB Committee would like to hold their ball earlier than usual. A date will be confirmed next week.
Financial hardship
The school and Board of Trustees are aware that there are some families who be struggling financially especially with the significant increases in the cost of living during the last year or so. Each year the school does receive some funds to support participation in extra curricular activities for students who may not be able to afford to do so.
We don’t always know which families would benefit from this support. If you would like to discuss this, in confidence, please do talk to the teacher in charge of the activity or make direct contact with me. We want to help and we want to ensure that students have the opportunity to participate in the wider life of the school.
Finally
Today is the first day of autumn and there have been a few mornings that have been quite cool! As we start to head into winter please do start to prepare for the wet and cold weather ahead. Hopefully, the next couple of days will be a pleasant autumn weekend and we can all get outside and enjoy some sport or time being active.
Have a great weekend.
Ka kite ano |
Recent News
Health News
Our School Community has Head Lice doing the rounds. Please check your child’s/children’s hair and treat if lice is present. Remember that ALL eggs must be removed to be able to be Lice free. | |  |
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Wellbeing: Peer Support
Peer Support sessions continued this week with a session in the hall with Mrs Bloxham Guidance Counsellor, Mrs Ward Year 9 Dean and Mrs Jory Assistant Principal -Junior Pastoral speaking about student support, our values and positive behaviour expectations. | |  |
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NCEA Achievement
Congratulations to those students that received awards in today's assembly in recognition of last years NCEA achievement. | |  |
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Athletics Day Results 2024
Athletics Day Results 2024 | |  |
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Social Sports Week
Social Sports Week | |  |
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Ordering Photos
To view and order from the Mentor Groups Gallery, please go to www.snapz.co.nz | |  |
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Conferences
The purpose of these Conferences is to allow a 20 minute conversation with the student, parents or caregiver and the mentor. | |  |
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Week Five Literacy Tip: Refreshing the Basics!
Staff have been refreshing the basics with students over the past few weeks. | |  |
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