Term 4 - week 3
Kia ora, koutou.
Week three started off with a bang with our haka competition taking place on Tuesday during whānau time on school field. The whole school gathered in front of Te Ao Marama and were split into our four houses, Ngauruhoe, Tauhara, Ruapehu and Tongariro. The judges gathered in the middle of the students and then one by one the four houses performed our very own haka, “Tu Tauira” towards the other houses. Our haka was written by Matua Snow. It was an awesome way to end our whānau cultural calendar. Our staff were amazing in encouraging our rangatahi to give it a go, and by participating in the haka as well. Our goal of having all our students and staff being able to participate and perform the school haka is close. A big congratulations to Tongariro House for taking out a tightly fought competition. Ka mau te wehi!
The Sports Awards on Wednesday night this week was a fantastic event. We were able to celebrate our students who have performed so admirably for our various sports teams or in their individual events throughout this sporting season. There were many awards handed out during the evening, and the top awards went to Meadow Peacocke - Junior Sportswomen of the Year, Dante Minhinnick - Junior Sportsman of the Year, Kamaia Minhinnick - Senior Sportswoman of the Year and Sasha Parize-Baker - Senior Sportsman of the Year.
A big mihi to our sports coordinators, Nicole Taylor and Erica Strik, and our line manager for sport, Brenda Ronke for organising the event. Thanks to our guest speaker Shanelle Barrett, one of our alumni and former New Zealand triathlete, who spoke so beautifully. Richard Murphy, as always, MC’d the event with aplomb! Thanks to all the other staff who helped set up the evening.
Today, we celebrated our senior students who achieved second and third places in their various subjects this year. Achieving any academic award is a massive achievement. Congratulations to all the students who received awards today. Celebrating success is something we love to do and it is one of the most fulfilling aspects of this wonderful job of ours.
On Monday after school our staff are attending a pōwhiri at Waipāhīhī Marae. We are looking forward to connecting with one of our local marae and learning more about who they are as hapū. We are committed to an ongoing reciprocal relationship with Ngāti Tūwharetoa and the opportunity on Monday night is something I am really looking forward to.
Below are some important panui (notices):
Accord Teacher Only Day
Friday 10 November - this the final full day of preparation set aside for the implementation of the new NCEA level 1 at the beginning of 2024. Those sitting NCEA exams are still required to attend their exam on this day. School will be closed for all other students who do not have an exam on Friday 10 November.
Uniform
We are noticing a trend that long trousers are becoming a popular option for many of our students. We want to remind everyone that the grey trousers school (purchased through Argyle School wear) are the only approved trousers for our school uniform. Other types of trousers or track pants are not part of our school uniform and should not be worn by students.
2023 Graduated Study Leave
In order to best serve the needs of our students, we will once again take a graduated approach to study leave at the end of the year.
Our focus for this will be on pathways and endorsements rather than solely credits. We need to ensure that our students have appropriate pathways for their next year at school and/or to transition to work/further education.
Study leave will be granted when there is evidence that the student has achieved the desired outcomes for the year or has the skills to self manage towards these outcomes. Outcomes may include; numeracy/literacy, NCEA, pathways into future subjects, UE, subject or overall endorsements.
For students who have been identified by their subject teachers as needing extra help to achieve their goals, the following will apply:
Week 5: Normal timetable; students in Groups 1 and 2.
Week 6: Collapsed timetable with workshops
Week 7: Transition
Ngā mihi
Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL
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