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DUX 2017Katherine Jacobs

The Dux is the most prestigious award in any school as it goes to the top scholar. This award at Takapuna Grammar School is highly sought after and highly competitive. To be Dux at Takapuna Grammar School, is to join a very select and elite group of the highest achievers in New Zealand. Katherine has had exceptional academic success throughout her years at Takapuna Grammar School. This year she is ranked in her subjects as follows:

English 1stFrench 1stMathematics and Statistics 1stSpanish 1stPhysics 3rd

In 2016, as a Year 12 student, she gained a National Scholarship in English and Spanish. At that year’s prize-giving she received the June Spooner Award for Academic Excellence in Year 12. This year Katherine has undertaken a full year course at Canterbury University in Mathematics and has gained an overall grade of A+. All her credits in Year 13 to date have been at Excellence level.

Katherine’s academic record at Takapuna Grammar School is exceptional. She is motivated, tenacious and independent in her learning, achieving across a range of disciplines. She is a gifted language learner. Katherine consistently produces work of the highest level, well considered, original and thoughtfully crafted.22 Jun, 2011.

Katherine has still made time to be involved in a range of co-curricular activities. Aligned to her studies in French, she plays petanque. She supports her fellow students as a Peer Support Leader and part of the Peer Whanau team. She is a Student Librarian and a member of the Girls in Stem and Enterprise Clubs. Katherine also plays with the String Ensemble.

Katherine has exceptional academic talent and a very bright tertiary future awaits her.

Congratulations to Katherine Jacobs who was awarded Dux of the School for 2017.

TAKAPUNA GRAMMAR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

PRINCIPAL’S REPORTCELEBRATING 90 YEARSTE POHO O TE TOIONACAMPBALL 2017GREASE

DECEMBER 2017

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Principal’s ArticleDecember 2017

As 2017 comes to a close we can reflect with pride on all we have done and achieved in one of the busiest years in recent times. There has been a flurry of special occasions and some big events.

External reviews have been a feature this year. These are a considerable undertaking for staff and the Board but the feedback supports what we do here is having a significant positive impact on our students. The Special Education Faculty review, completed early in the year, praised every facet of the operation. The teaching programmes and care of this group of students was deemed to be of the highest quality. These findings gave credit to staff whose daily work requires extra special qualities, patience and dedication. Last week these staff and students went on their annual week-long camp to Rotorua. The photos later in this edition relay the fabulous experience had by all of them. The Education Review Office visited in March and awarded a rare, second, consecutive four to five year return time. This shows their belief in the exceptional calibre of people, relationships, learning programmes and results found year upon year at Takapuna Grammar School. The International Baccalaureate has now been offered here for five years. The school has two world-class qualification pathways and an external review of IB was carried out in late October. The results of this will be available in the new year.

To be put under close scrutiny is valuable and provided positive feedback for the work being done in the school every day. Teaching is the core business of our operation and validation is essential and heartening.

Another feature of 2017 was the 90th reunion. This was a highlight for over 1,000 former pupils who visited at Labour Weekend for a fabulous time of reminiscing, catching up with friends and seeing what school is like nowadays. Our students captivated our alumni who found the young people highly intelligent and at ease socially. They were fascinated at how genuine and interested our adolescents are and admired their confidence in meeting and mixing with new people. We hope to build on the connections made over the weekend and have regular occasions like this that bring the different generations together. There are many benefits to be gained from diverse groups of people talking and finding out about each other. Young people need to know more about the world of work and possible pathways. Social media and other aspects of living in today’s complex, hectic world are areas we can all navigate better if we come together more.

No one can do everything by themselves any more. Collaborating with others who share some similarities such as attending the same school is likely to foster mutual benefits. Takapuna Grammar School is part of a Community of Learning aka our Devonport-Takapuna Kāhui Ako. Principals and teachers from our local schools are working together on several initiatives. Together we will raise student engagement and achievement with key areas of focus including writing, mathematics, cultural aspects and NCEA. Teachers are sharing information like never before and students are involved in music, sport, art, and other activities that bring them together for fun and learning.

The building programme is gaining momentum with the beautifully renovated hall now back in use. The main building will be completed at the end of 2018 so we have started work on an aspirational plan for developing the whole site with Belmont Intermediate School. We look forward to talking more with our community on how we can achieve local facilities that will benefit thousands of students and others in our community.

Thank you to all of you who have helped make this year a productive and enjoyable one. The leavers function held in the last week brought staff, parents and Year 13s together for the last time. It was very special to enjoy each other’s company. We are proud of all of them. They are a diverse group of fabulous people whose skills and values will make the world better. This makes the work we do together with our families, worth doing.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday and look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Mary NixonNga mihi nui,

Term Dates2018

Term One: Tuesday 30th January to Friday 13 April

Term Two: Monday 30th April to Friday 6th July

Term Three: Monday 23rd July to Friday 28th September

Term Four: Monday 15th October to Friday 7th December

Tuesday 30th January Year 12 and Year 13 students only, 11.45am start11.45am-1.15pm Assembly in Assembly Hall, followed by Whanau Form Class1.15pm – Peer Support Leaders to Assembly Hall

Wednesday 31st January Year 9 students only, 9.00am to 3.00pm9.00am Students to be met by Prefects at school entrances and escorted to Assembly Hall for PowhiriWhanau Form Class, Orientation and Peer Support to follow

Thursday 1st February Year 9 students only, 8.40am to 3.05pm8.40am Whanau Form Class, followed by full day of classes

Friday 2nd February All students, Year 9 to Year 13, 8.40am to 3.05pm8.40am Whanau Form Class, followed by full day of classes8.40am Year 10 and 11 students who are new to TGS to the Assembly Hall to receive timetables, followed by full day of classes

Tuesday 6th February Waitangi Day – School closed

Tuesday 3rd April

Monday 2nd April

Friday 20th March

Friday 13th April

Good Friday – School closed

Easter Monday – School closed

Easter Tuesday – School closed

Last day of Term 1!

Friday 1st June

Monday 4th June

Tuesday 5th June

School closed

Queen’s Birthday – School closed

School closed

Monday 3rd September School closed

Monday 22nd October Labour Day - School closed

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Senior PrizegivingYear 11

Luke Ambler: Distinction ScienceJames Arrowsmith: Distinction EnglishCharlotte Body: 1st Classical Studies, The Norah Hamlin Trophy, 1st HistoryNiamh Chalmers-Greaney: Excellence SpanishGhita Cherddararat: 1st English for Academic PurposesTy Coutts: Excellence HealthIsabella Dunleavy: Distinction Visual Arts - DigitalHarrison Free: 1st English LiteracyAnya Fry: Distinction Media StudiesJessie Gair-Ah Siu: Distinction GeographyJessica Hamlin: Distinction EnglishKyle Hensel: 1st Computer ScienceBenjamin Holt: Distinction Mathematics ExtensionJessie Jeffreys: 1st Mathematics AppliedLucy Jenkinson: Distinction MathematicsEmmanuel Jiang: Distinction MathematicsFrank Johnson: 1st Media Studies Jamie Kang: Excellence ArtHamza Khan: Excellence Special EducationSuyeon Kim: 1st Chemistry, Excellence Japanese, Distinction Physics Libby Lord: Distinction Biology, Distinction Chemistry, Distinction English, Excellence Geography, The Mathematics Cup - 1st Mathematics Extension, 1st PhysicsRebecca Lu: Distinction MathematicsCei Cei Luk: 1st ScienceEva MacKenzie: Excellence Technology Food and NutritionZoe Martin: 1st AccountingCampbell McKegg: Distinction Science Carina Oliver: 1st Drama, Excellence Technology Soft Materials, 1st Visual Arts - DigitalRiko Oyamada: 1st English as a Second Language Volkan Ozyurteri: Excellence Te Reo Maori Francesca Parussini: 1st MusicPhoebe Peng: Distinction Computer Science, Distinction PhysicsFaith Poppelwell: 1st Biology, 1st English, 1st French, Distinction HistoryLaila Roman: 1st DanceHiroaki Sakon: 1st English as a Second LanguageWenyi Soon: Distinction Computer Scienc, Distinction EnglishSarah Sun: 1st MathematicsClaudia Toxopeus: 1st Business StudiesPurim Triratanachat: 1st Design Visual CommunicationWilliam Twiss: Distinction Geography, 1st Physical EducationWilliam Vernon: Excellence Technology Resistant MaterialsAnna Videler: 1st Economics and Accounting

Year 12Amadeo Barrioneuvo-Grosman: 1st Media Studies – The

Robin Holding Award, 1st Art History, 1st Visual Arts – Design, Distinction Visual Arts - Photography

Eloise Blewden: 1st Visual Arts - PracticalLydia Brewer: 1st Biology, 1st Mathematics Statistics

Jessica Cheung: Distinction IB Individuals and SocietiesHarry Christian: Excellence Technology Furniture and

ConstructionOlga Chrzanowska: Excellence Geography, Distinction

Mathematics StatisticsMollie Cornfield: 1st Music

Amanda Dai: Excellence IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science

Ellie Dragicevich: Excellence HospitalityDaniel Eaton: Distinction Visual Arts - Design

Hazel Escott: Excellence FrenchSinalei Faulalo: 1st Drama

James Hwang: Distinction Accounting, 1st Economics, 1st Mathematics Extension

Xinyi (Kellie) Ke: Excellence Chinese, 1st MathematicsAliesha Kemp: 1st Dance

Christopher Laws: Excellence SpanishKate Lee: Distinction Biology, Distinction Chemistry, 1st English,

1st History – The Gallipoli Stone, Distinction Physics, 1st Mathematics Calculus

Harry Lochhead: Excellence TourismJiejie (Tora) Ma: Distinction Mathematics

Finn McDonald: 1st English LiteracyAbigail McDonald: 1st Musical Theatre

Luci McDougall: 1st Visual Arts - PhotographyYou Jin Noh: 1st Chemistry, 1st English for Academic Purposes,

Excellence JapaneseGaige Nortje: 1st Physical Education – The Wareham Shield

Year 12Darius Osing: Distinction Geography, Excellence German

Tanisha Pal: Excellence IB ScienceLuke Pank: Distinction English, Distinction Geography,

Distinction PhysicsSeungwoo (Kelly) Park: Excellence IB Mathematics

Luke Patterson: Distinction Mathematics Extension, 1st PhysicsHannah Posthouwer: Distinction English

Marian Sarah: Excellence Special Education Rebecca Scholtz: Distinction English, Distinction Mathematics, 1st Classical Studies – The C.C. Robinson Award, 1st Drama

Amanda Sim: 1st AccountingBrad Tan: 1st Computer Science

Sharon Tang: Excellence IB Creativity, Activity, Service, Excellence IB Literature, Excellence IB Spanish Ab Initio,

Excellence IB TOK, Excellence IB OverallSarah Warmington: Excellence Health

Louise Wigram: Distinction English, Distinction HistoryNatasha Willis: Distinction English Literacy

Tessa Wishart: 1st Business Studies, Excellence Technology Soft Materials

Zhaoqi (Wendy) Xia: Excellence IB English Language, Distinction IB Literature, Distinction IB Mathematics, Distinction

IB Overall.Woosik Yoon: Excellence Technology Resistant Materials

Renee Young: Distinction BiologySeulmir (Victor) Yu: 1st Design Visual Communication

Qingya (Rita) Zhou: Excellence IB Visual Arts, Distinction IB English Language

Christine Zhou: Excellence IB Individuals and Societies, Excellence IB Spanish.

Cheyenne Abraham: Excellence Te Reo MaoriOlivia Andrevski: Excellence Spanish

Rory Bessell: Excellence German Fin Bowen: 1st Music Theatre

Meg Buckingham: Photolife Award1st Visual Arts - Photography

Dougal Burden: Distinction English, Toynbee Cup 1st HistoryMitchell Cuthbert: Distinction Chemistry, Distinction Mathematics

StatisticsEmilly Fan: Distinction Biology

Andy Feng: Distinction AccountingOscar Finnemore: 1st Design Visual Communication,

Excellence Geography Julia Giurgiu: C.C. Robinson Award 1st Classical Studies

Joe Glover: 1st TourismSean Green: Wareham Shield Year 13, 1st Physical Education

Halim Hoskin: Excellence Health Katherine Jacobs: Excellence Spanish, Sam Dorrington

Memorial Award 1st English, Short Shield 1st Mathematics Statistics, Excellence French

Aoke Jiang: Excellence Chinese, Distinction Geography, Distinction Physics

Darya Kharitonova: Margaret Cullingworth Award, 1st Art HistorySoyun Kim: Excellence Japanese

Kate Lee (Year 12): 1st Mathematics Calculus Hyun Jeong Lee: Distinction Mathematics Statistics

Sophia Lord: Distinction HistoryRichard Lu: Margaret Cullingworth Award 1st Accounting, 1st

Chemistry, 1st PhysicsAdam McPheat: Excellence English Internal

Harvey Merton: 1st Biology, 1st Computer Science, 1st Economics, Distinction Mathematics Calculus

Brett O'Neill: Distinction HistoryGeorge Rea-Bucknall: 1st Visual Arts - Painting

Alex Roberts 1st Technology Furniture & ConstructionPoppy Ross: Distinction English, 1st Music

Shayla Rua-Chase: 1st Business Studies Molly Ryan: Excellence Special Education

Rebecca Scholtz (Year 12): 1st DramaSunghyun Shin: White Cliffe Timber Award Excellence

Technology Resistant Materials, Excellence Visual Arts - DesignHayley Tubb: 1st Media Studies

Caitlin White: 1st Dance Joshua Whyte: Excellence Hospitality

Jenna Williams: Excellence Technology Soft Materials

Year 13

Special AwardsDUX of the School: Katherine JacobsProxime Accessit: Harvey MertonAcademic Excellence Level 3:Mitchell CuthbertAoke JiangElla JohnsonRichard LuSpooner Cup - School Spirit:Gabriel JonesAcademic Excellence Year 12:The June Spooner Award,Kate Lee and Luke PankAcademic Excellence Year 11:The June Spooner Award,Libby Lord and Faith PoppelwellThe White Cup:Year 12 School Spirit,Lockie McNairChubb Cleverdon Cup:Year 11 School Spirit,Volkan OzyurteriGold Merit Awards:Cameron Burton, Callum Easterbrook, Emilly Fan, Kate Fan, Kate Lee, Iris Leng, Harvey Merton, Ella Pearson, Poppy RossCitations for personal excellence:Imogen Ayris, Nina Edgar, Oscar Elworthy, Josh Kench, Arabella Maynard, Luci McDougall, Sebastian Safka, Sofie Safkova, Saskia VosperDuke Of Edinburgh Gold: Michael de Boyett, Theo Hoyte, Finn Murphy, Lucy O’Keefe, Ella Pearson, Alice Yorke.

House Trophy: Ihi HousePensinsular Cup:

Gabriel JonesFarquarson Shield:

Jarrah Swift and Zoe DrakeYear 11 Speech Cup:Francesca Parussini

Margaret Campbell Shield (Languages):Katherine Jacobs

Mike Donald Memorial Shield (Visual Arts):Seongsuh (Annabelle) Kim

The Pat Hanly Award:Alice Wu

The Tony Steele Award:Cheyenne Abraham

The Post Award:David RereitiAFS Award:

Kate FanZonta International Leadership Award:

Kate LeeThe Library Service Award:

Iris LengThe Aroha Cup:

Shaina Campbell-HowardThe Sucess Cup:

Vicki BridleThe Malcolm Fairgray Cup for Horticulture Special Ed:

Haris KhanThe Prentice Award:

James DinsdaleBenefitz Graphic Design Scholarship:

Sam HarrisThe Ex-pupils Scholarship:

Joshua DownsThe IB CAS Award:

Sharon TangTGS International Student Scholarship:

You Jin NohRowan Nicks Scholarship:

Ella JohnsonThe Warren Mason Scholarship:

Katherine JacobsThe Dorace Mason Scholarship:

Mitchell CuthbertThe PTA Encouragement Award:

Daniel VosperDevonport RSA Memorial Trust Award:

Ruby WangfordDevonport Rotary Club Scholarship:

Halim Hoskin and Lucy O’KeefeBattersby Vase for Head Girl:

Ella PearsonIan Gray Memorial Trophy for Head Boy:

Harvey MertonThe 1970 Prefects Cup for Sportsman of the Year:

Will WatsonThe Sandie Wiltshire Cup for Sportswoman of the Year:

Kate Williams

Auckland University:Dougal Burden, Emilly Fan, Harvey Merton, Katherine

Jacobs, Poppy Ross,Aoke Jiang

Massey University:Jacqui Lynch, Holly Blair, Alice Yorke, Samael Knaap

Victoria University:Jack Breen, Jacob Byron-McKay, Ben Clark, Lara

Dyer, Oscar Finnemore, Amelia Hay, Madeline Hill,Rina McDonald, Jarrah Swift, Annabel Thompson, Jenna

WilliamsAUT University:

Madison Coghlan, Jude Gair-Ah Siu, Ella Pearson, Alice Wu

Otago University:Saffie Doughty,Oliver Gent, Arushni Nacker, Serena

Young

Cloe Barbera:Excellence Year 2 IB Spanish, Excellence Year 2 IB GeographyThomas Benison:Excellence Year 2 IB English Literature, Excellence Year 2 Theory of Knowledge First equalGabrielle Jones:Excellence Year 2 IB Visual Arts Jack Maran:Excellence Year 2 IB BiologyYujie (Stephanie) Wang:Excellence Year 2 IB Chinese Literature, Excellence Year 2 IB English Language, Excellence Year 2 IB Economics, Excellence Year 2 IB Physics, Excellence Year 2 IB MathematicsSuhwoo (Veronica) Yoon:Excellence Year 2 IB Spanish ab initio, Excellence Year 2 IB History, Excellence Year 2 IB Chemistry, Excellence Year 2 Theory of Knowledge First equalJungha Lee:Excellence Year 2 Creativity, Activity, Services Cup

University Scholarships

IB Awards

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Celebrating 90 YearsTakapuna Grammar School celebrated its 90th Birthday. We attracted 1062 attendees and an absolutely fabulous long weekend of celebration, connecting with old friends and colleagues was had by all.

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Te Poho o te Raiona Opening of the Takapuna Grammar School recently renovated hall.

This has now been named as Te Poho o te Raiona – The Heart of the Lion named by school students.

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Heads UpYear 9 Core Art

These paintings were inspired by the work of a Canadian artist Sandra Silberzweig and were completed in a term by our Year 9 core classes using acryilic paint. Students based each of the artworks on an animal head which they had to abstract and add patterns to.

They learnt a little about the process of geometric abstraction, how to mix and blend colours and how to apply pattern and outline with control. Emphasis was also placed on building up interesting layers of paint and colour using a variety of techniques.

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Special Education CampRotorua

Every year the Special Education Department packs its bags and heads off to Rotorua for a week long camp. It is the highlight of the year and a chance for us all to try new experiences, learn to manage ourselves away from home and enjoy the company of our friends.

This year we braved the Zorb, swam at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre and in the Blue Lake, watched a Kapa Haka performance (and took part) and sat down to a formal Hangi dinner. We also visited a new attraction in Rotorua called 3D Trick Art. Here the students put themselves into 2D paintings that when a photo is taken it suddenly turns into a 3D piece of art.

Every year our students are challenged but so enjoy the camaraderie of the camp environment.

We are all looking forward to next year.

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Student Design AwardModelled by Loretta Riach

Congratulations to Tessa Wishart who won second place in the Student Design Competition for Years 11-13 with her Zero Waste project. There were a record number of entries in the senior division throughout New Zealand and the quality of the entries was extremely high making judging difficult.

Tessa's focus was Sustainable Design and she wanted to create a Zero waste garment. After a lot of research she finally came up with the idea of using tyre tubing which was supplied free from a motorbike shop and also used wood offcuts from hard tech student’s projects. She also sourced recycled fabric to make the under dress.

She originally hand cut some of the tyre tubing but realised that it was very time intensive so she then learnt how to use the laser cutter and was able to achieve a faster result. She was inspired by armour and how humans need protection from not only physical elements but also emotional and psychological as well. She carried out intensive research and created a stand out Neck piece that was shown at the TGS Fashion Show at The Bruce Mason Theatre.

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Year 9 CampChosen Valley

The Year 9’s have recently returned from another amazing camp at Chosen Valley.

Chosen Valley provides an opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in a range of outdoor activities such as kayaking, archery, team building activities, a confidence course and much much more. The students were fantastic and many of them challenged themselves, overcame some of their fears, and made many new friends along the way.

A huge thank you must go to all of the staff that helped run the camps.

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International DepartmentWith NCEA exams taking up the time of many TGS students, a smaller group of 30 international students, who do not have to sit these exams because they arrived later in the academic year, have been offered a varied and fascinating programme.

The group began the month long program with peer support training where they learnt how to work together as a group and develop their leadership skills. They have been on trips to places Rangitoto Island, Piha Beach and Parakai Hot Springs, as well as working with local primary school children in a community service role.

Departments around the school have run special classes in Performing Arts, English, Maths, Science, Food Technology, Hard and Soft technology, Photography, Languages, Media, Geography and much more. Students launched rockets, wood carved designs, programmed laser printers and even performed their very own choreographed stage show.

They experienced what it is like to train on a rowing erg and later visited the TGS rowing club at Bayswater Marina to learn their way around the boats. One day was spent with the IB students leading an Amazing Race challenge in Auckland city while the library staff put everyone through their paces.

The Special Education Department also enjoyed the company of the international students for a day. The programme drew to a close with the students helping to plan and prepare a traditional Hangi for all the staff involved.

End of year International Programme

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TGS Ball2017

This year’s senior school ball was held at Ellerslie Convention Centre with the theme “Secret Garden” and is the highlight for many Year 12 and 13 students - this years 2017 ball was no exception with over 600 guests attending the occasion.

Prince and Princess were awarded to Maxwell Bridge and Shemaiah Porter, with King and Queen going to Callum Easterbrook and Arushni Naicker.

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Fashion ShowThis years fashion and dance show proved to be a fantastic evening. Students showcased their undeniable fashion and dance talents at the Bruce Mason Theatre to a full house. The dancers awed the crowd with the different genres of dance whilst some of our students strutted the catwalk wearing fabulous designs giving the audience their best poses.

When Worlds Collide

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Grease is the WordIt took less than five minutes for the whole audience to clap and wave the ‘Rydell High School’ flags, as an amazing cast of young talented students performed the all-time favourite musical Grease. They performed for five days with six performances in total. Every single song was sun beautifully, with the audience holding their breath, only to loosen up when the song had finished. The whole show was mesmerising.

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Sir Peter Blake Explore RangitotoDuring the term 2 holidays a group of IB and NCEA Visual Art students got together with Mr Potter and painted the Sir Peter Blake mural. The idea had been talked about for a while, but with the winning of the America’s cup we were reminded of the amazing contributions Sir Peter made to our society, and as an ex-student how pertinent it would be to have a mural somewhere on the building named after him. We are very happy with the location and the students really had a great experience making some public art. Students involved were Natasha Willis, Caitlin Killick, Ella McLeod, Nick Svendsen, Rosa Oliver, Grace Colebourn and Lucy Anderson. A wonderful effort from the students and we look forward to painting the next one of our alumni!

All of our Year 10s recently had the opportunity to explore Rangitoto in preparation for sitting Level 1 NCEA internal assessments in Science, English and Physical Education. They made cross-curricular links as they searched for evidence of geological processes at the same time as being socially responsible and all the while searching for the perfect words to describe the experience. It was great to have the opportunity to get so much learning out of a feature that dominates our school’s outlook. We all made sure to wave from the summit - the white-wrapped main block was very distinctive.

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Leadership Learning DayStudents from Years 9 - 13 got together in the library to work with Ella Pearson Head Girl, Harvey Merton Head Boy and Donald Jessep from Strengths.NZ. Students had the opportunity to listen to Donald talk about leadership and helping leaders create a culture that allows them to be highly effective and work with others in a team environment. They also talked about appreciating their natural talents and how to develop them into strengths.