Term 1 - Week 10

Tēnā koutou,

As term one draws to a close it's a good opportunity to reflect on the term and celebrate some of the awesome events we have been able to produce with the help of our amazing staff and students.  Apart from all the amazing teaching and learning going on in the classroom and outside the classroom this term, below is a selection of other events/activities we’ve had going on:

• Year 9 powhiri
• Colours Day
  
• Athletics Finals Day
  
• School Photos
  
• Year 9 students and whānau BBQ
  
• Whānau interview afternoons
  
• French sister school visiting
  

Our calendar is very full and we have had many camps and trips going out this term as well.  Thank you to all the staff who have created these opportunities for our students.

Next term is only nine weeks long, but there is lots to look forward to in term two as well:

• School production (Mamma Mia) - Mon 19 May-Fri 23 May
• Literacy and Numeracy common assessment activities - Monday 26 May-Friday 30 May
• School Ball - Saturday 14 June
• Swimming Sports - Friday 19 June
• King’s Birthday public holiday - Mon 2 June
• Matariki public holiday - Fri 20 June
  

Throughout Term 1, we have been outlining attendance expectations for all of our students.  To support our attendance goals, we have also outlined to our senior students our expectations regarding the school ball. The key message for students was to ensure their unjustified attendance rate was as low as possible.  Our attendance rate in the senior school has improved since the introduction of these expectations in 2023, which is really pleasing. However, there are some of our senior students who are currently below the attendance expectations.  If you have a concern about your child potentially not meeting our ball attendance expectations, please get in touch with their respective Year 12 or Year 13 Dean as soon as possible.

To further help educate about unjustified absences, these include: skipping a class, absence for a half day or full day of classes for reasons our school deems are unjustified.  Examples of unjustified absence include staying home to study for a test, or to complete an assignment, or being ‘too tired to come to school’ etc.  Justified absences are listed below.  The school needs to be notified of these absences so the students receive a J for justified on their attendance record.

• Cultural or sporting representations at regional or higher level
• Illness (including hospitalisation)
  
• Medical/dental appointments
  
• Bereavement
  
• Exceptional Family circumstances which may include travel for special occasions or may be sensitive and involve other agencies (application should be made to the Principal)
  
• Vehicle breakdown / train / bus delay / car accident / natural disaster
  
• Citizenship Ceremony
  
• Ballet / music / speech exam
  
• Drivers Licence
  
• Accident before school which may include injury to an animal
  

As we head into the winter months, it is timely to send out some reminders about our uniform expectations.  The link to our uniform regulations can be found here.  Importantly, please take note of the jacket and sports hoodies section.  Jewellery is also another section to take note of.  For health and safety, we do not allow large hoop earrings.  Keeping our uniform standards high takes a village, so please support us by ensuring you are aware of our uniform regulations and ensuring your child meets our standards.  The link to the argyle website to see our uniform options can be found here.

A reminder about some of the extra numeracy support we have available: Students can purchase an extra resource to support them at home while studying for the Term 2 CAA exams. They can purchase either of the following two revision books from the office:
1. Numeracy Essentials - This is for learners who need support on their journey towards achieving the NCEA Numeracy CAA exam. It has Notes, examples and practice questions with answers. $16.95 
2. Numeracy Practice - This contains 40 sets of practice questions with answers. $9.95
Next term, we will be running Numeracy(CAA) revision sessions for  year 10-12 students.

Have an awesome Easter!

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

Sporting News by Tremains

Upcoming Events:
NZSS Sailing Regatta, Monday 21 April - Saturday 26 April, New Plymouth
Netball Tournament, Junior A, Saturday 12th April, Hamilton
NISS Mountain Bike, 12-14th April, Tauranga 
Basketball 3x3 Nationals, 26th-27th April, Tauranga