HAMILTON GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

May NewsletterPhotos: 2014 Talent Quest Finalists

THIRD PLACEAmelia Penfold

FIRST PLACEJaedyn Randell

SECOND PLACETriple Threat

PRINCIPAL’S COMMENT

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutouAs parents and teachers, do we have a united vision of what we want our children and students to act like, look like, sound like, feel like, know and can do because of our parenting influence and teaching? If we say for example that we want them to be respectful, what specific attitudes and behaviours do we want them to exhibit? More importantly even more challenging, how are we going to cultivate these?

Our focus at Hamilton Girls’ High School is about students and their teachers working collaboratively together to approach everything they do with positive attitudes and mindsets. From this platform we hope that our students are supported and empowered to be in a cycle of continuous improvement in making their best better and working to achieve their goals.

As we are almost halfway through the academic year, it is always a time to reflect on our goals. I have been really pleased with the progress that we have made in a year, and pleased with the progress to date. Our staff are working really hard to support your daughter’s learning.

I would like to add an excerpt from a speech from an Old Girl, Elissa Baledrokadroka, whom spoke at our Pasifika Fono last week.

“Learning never ends but there are time restrictions on how long you will be able to go to school here. You see in here is where you are most protected even though it may not seem like it. The good habits and hard work ethic you practice in high school definitely helps you when you leave school. When you don’t have these attitudes or disciplines it’s really hard when you finally decide what you want to do. Also whom you choose to surround yourself with can have a major impact on your journey. Doing your best in school, to pass exams, gain credits and pass NCEA levels builds character and a platform for

your future endeavours whether that is in further education or the workforce.

That sign outside says Hamilton Girls’ High School but when you walk out those gates on your final day you walk out as women. Don’t take that lightly. So get inspired, be passionate and let’s make history ladies”

Elissa has provided some wonderful words of wisdom that we can take heed of.

On a different note, I would like to thank all students and parents who contributed to the school uniform survey. We hope to have the results out to you shortly.

MARIE GORDONPrincipal

FAQ OF THE PRINCIPAL1. Did you cancel the HBHS School Socials? The answer is No. I advised that only our Senior school would attend the HBHS social and that we would like to hold a separate junior social. For their own reasons, HBHS cancelled the Social.

2. Do you not like Puffer Jackets? Puffer Jackets, in my view, are a fashion statement and very expensive. Not everyone can afford a puffer jacket and that is important to me when we are looking at fairness across the school.

3. Did you remove the vending machine? The answer is No. The person who owned the machine just came in one day and removed it. Libelle, our cafeteria staff, are working with the school to add a vending machine.

4. Why do you walk around school so much? Everytime we look you are there..That is not quite true but I am out and about every day. Seeing the students remind me of why I do what I do…my job is all about you. It is so easy to get caught up in paperwork, dealing with property issues and so forth. I love getting to know you, talking to you and helping you to aspire to your dreams. Academic achievement is first and foremost the most important thing you should be focussing on…..when you get that right, then everything else will fall into place. BUT some of you need our support and we need you to meet us halfway so that we can help you.

Deputy Principal’s Notebook

MISS LEE STOREYIt was with sadness and fond memories that we heard of Lee Storey’s death on May 10th at the age of 90. She was a student of Hamilton High School and then after interesting experiences in her primary school teaching days she returned to teach for 28 years at the now Hamilton Girls’ High School.

Lee lived her life well, with vigour, determination and a lively interest in all around her and the world generally. Old Girls of the school will well remember her dedication in teaching lifesaving and the successes achieved. Her constant encouragement and help at the swimming pool in all weathers were greatly appreciated.

Staff were always impressed by the fact that if you wanted information on anything it was much easier and more interesting to ask Lee than find an encyclopaedia.

A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF REVIEWING MATERIAL LEARNT IN CLASS:

Taking accurate and comprehensive notes is an essential component for high level student understanding and achievement. More importantly, these notes have to be reviewed regularly to embed them in students’ long term memories. Following are facts relating to how much the brain retains:

• Should notes not be reviewed within 24 hours, 60% to 80% of the learnt material is forgotten by the brain

• After a month with no reviews, only 3% to 4% is remembered

• When the brain doesn’t see learnt material regularly, it doesn’t see it as important because there are no patterns and as such ‘dumps’ it.

• When 50 minutes of learning is not reviewed regularly, it takes 30 to 40 minutes to relearn it – why learn it in the first place? As renowned Polish pianist, Ignace Paderewski, once said, “If I miss one day’s practice, I notice it. If I miss two day’s practice, the critics notice. If I miss three days practice, the audience notices it.”Whereas when the material is continually revisited, the brain sees it as important because there are patterns. Students regularly train for sport and practise their musical instruments to improve their skills and capabilities; the brain is no different.

- Mrs Jill Carter

Her well recognised blue Morris Minor “Lizzie” (number plate starting BS) was driven by her long after she retired and “her chair” from the staff room was an important presentation to her on leaving.

On retiring in 1983 Lee contributed to the school magazine an article “Close Encounters of Two Kinds” recalling some of her memories of the school.

SPORTSAT

HGHS

HGHS NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVE LIST CONTINUES TO GROWOur students continue to impress and be acknowledged for their hard work across a number of disciplines.

Georgia Allen has been selected as a member of the New Zealand Junior Women’s Quad Scull to attend the Junior World Rowing Championships Hamburg, Germany. The team will assemble and train at Lake Karapiro at the Rowing New Zealand High Performance Centre for six weeks from 8 June to train as a squad, meaning many of the athletes are required to relocate. As Georgia prepares for the Championships she will continue their secondary school studies at St Peter’s School in Cambridge and will be accommodated at the Rob Waddell Lodge on the shores of Lake Karapiro. The young New Zealand rowers will compete against 600 top junior athletes from 50 nations around the world at the Championships.

Emma Ballard was selected as a member of the New Zealand Water Polo Youth Women’s Team to attend the Youth World Championships in Madrid, Spain.

Emma was also selected as a member of the 2014 New Zealand School girls’ team that will prepare for the annual Trans-Tasman Shield Test Series against the Australian Schoolgirls Team in Auckland, New Zealand in December 2014.

Katie Lush was named as a member of the New Zealand Water Polo Cadet Team which is set to play a test series against Queensland before a smaller team is selected to play at the Hawaiian Invitational Water Polo Tournament.

Michaela Foster will head on a tour of Thailand with the New Zealand Secondary School Girls Lotto U16 Football Team. We know this will be a great stepping stone for Michaela and provide invaluable experience with all but four current Football Ferns started their international pathway with NZSSGF tours.

WAIKATO SECONDARY SCHOOLS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

We were able to send a small team to the Waikato Secondary Schools Swimming Championships held at Waterworld, Te Rapa on the last day of Term 1. A huge thank you to George May for his support of the girls and really rallying to get a good group to attend the champs. We had a number of top eight finishes and the following swimmers made the podium in their respective events.

14+15 year 50m Fly 1st Olivia Warlow13& Under 50m Breaststroke 1st Katlyn Steedman16& Over 50m Freestyle 1st Emma Ballard13& under 100m Breaststroke 1st Katlyn Steedman14+15 year 200m free – 2nd Olivia Warlow13& under 50m Fly – 2nd Katlyn Steedman15 & Over 100m free relay – 2nd (Dani Ryan, Emma Ballard, Rylie Neil And Megan Whitburn)14+15 year 100m fly – 3rd Olivia Warlow

KATLYN STEEDMAN AND OLIVIA WARLOW FLY AT THE NATIONAL AGE GROUP SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Katlyn and Olivia both competed in the Swimming NZ New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships (NAGS) held 29th April to 3rd May at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.

Katlyn had qualified for six swims over the last swimming season. It was an extremely successful meet for Katlyn’s very first NAGS and she came away with a bronze medal in the 12/13 year old girls final for 200m fly taking over 5 seconds off her PB.Whilst she didn’t get on the podium in any other events she continued to shave seconds off her personal best times in the 100m fly final 400m Individual Medley.

Olivia finished a very commendable 5th place in the 15 year old 50 metre fly.

We know that both of these swimmers will continue to impress over the coming years.

HGHS WATER POLO CLAIM THE WAIKATO SECONDARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION

On the last day of term one the HGHS Senior Water Polo team took on their nemesis Hillcrest High School in a thrilling final. After taking a commanding lead in the first two quarters, Hillcrest showed their class and worked to claw back the score. HGHS rose to the occasion and never gave up until the final whistle taking out the game 8-7 to take the overall Waikato Secondary Schools Competition. A huge thank you to their coach Kelsi, Chrissie their manager and TIC of waterpolo Sue Oppert. They have all helped to create an environment in which the girls have been able to develop and succeed.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOST AN OVERSEAS EXCHANGE STUDENT?

Learn about another culture, learn a new language or

perhaps improve your culinary skills

Hosting – An Experience for Life

Student Exchange is looking for host families across NZ to welcome overseas students into their home

www.studentexchange.org.nz/host-a-student or call 0800 440 079 for more information

CONGRATULATIONS

Shye Belleza, who moved to Hamilton from the Philippines two years ago has won the national poster competition for Youth Week. Her picture appeared in The Hamilton Press last week and her poster (right) is displayed around the school and nationally. Congratulations to Shye!

TheArts

A huge amount of organisation created a spectacular success and all credit should go to the Arts Council whose prefects pulled magnificently together under the leadership of Georgia Morrison and the Music prefect Cecelia Lockley. Sam Fowler and Lisa Joe ‘ran’ the acts while Laura Parker, Dani Higgs and Taylor Pascoe covered the sound, video and photos super efficiently. Frankie Vallis, Ashley Buencamino and Olivia Godfrey also contributed hugely.

The judges, James Sutherland (HBHS), Kelsey Eaton (ex student dance tutor), Brendon Pyper (The Latest Fallout), had a tough time with the quality of the acts and finally selected the following winners.

First place went to Jaedyn Randell, Y9 vocalist.

Second place to the dynamic Triple Threat dance group and third was another vocalist Amelia Penfold, Y11. These three acts and the fourth and fifth contestants will go on to the combined Girls’ and Boys’ Talent Quest which will be held later in Term 3 at Boys’ High.

The audience were wowed by the spectacular lip synching dance act of Teacher Act and the Executive Council’s amazingly choreographed dancing while the judges deliberated. Ebony Clutterbuck,Y9, showed us her DJ skills before the show started and again at the interval.

Thank you to Steven from Arise Church for the professional lighting which enhanced the entire evening and to Mrs Gray for her organisation behind the scenes.

TALENT QUEST

Aloha Ia Orana Mauri Malo e lelei Kia Orana Ni sa bula vinaka Taloha ni Talofa

Warm Pasifika greetings,

We have had a busy few weeks preparing for the recent Pasifika by Nature Festival. This is the biggest cultural event on our Pasifika calendar and we appreciate the hard work the girls put in to make sure they looked superb when they took the stage at the Claudelands Event Centre. To all of our parents, thank you for your continued support. We placed third for both performance and musicianship, which was an outstanding achievement given that this was the first year we were able to provide all of the musicians for the competition.

In addition to PBN, we held our first fono for 2014 last week. We were pleased with the number of parents who attended. Three points that were covered at the fono were: understanding the school’s focus for our Pacific students, this year. We encourage each of our girls to step up and achieve academic success. To help, we asked Ema Bourne, our Pasifika Prefect to explain how her role will help

our Pasifika girls step up and make their education a primary focus, this year. She also introduced the members of the Pasifika council who are: Cree Fatupaito-Keen, Ala Tupou, Passion Andersson, Vanessa Baledrokadroka, Kaea Ruawai, Jayda Te Hira, Moni Tyrell, Tava Tyrell, Christian Baledrokadroka, Ariona Ieremia, Litara Allan, Nia Lualua, Lillee Morgan, Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Tiare Metekingi. We have already begun our council meetings and look forward to on-going collaboration. Finally, Elissa Baledrokadroka, an HGHS old girl spoke and encouraged the girls to strive for excellence. She took us on a journey of her educational life and reminded us that making wise decisions will help our Pasifika students achieve their goals.

Finally, we encourage the girls to have conversations with you about how they are incorporating our WISE strategies, in order for them to step up their academic progress.

SoifuaSharleen Nathan, Mere Meha-Uelese, Jo Belgrave, Urmila Anand – Pasifika Teachers 2014

PASIFIKA

SCIENCE

ACADEMIC NEWS

PRACTICAL HEALTH SCIENCE DAY

The Year 13 Science students had an amazing experience at the Practical Health Science Day course at Wintec on 9th May. This day started off with the students testing the glucose level in their blood and investigating how this changed when they ate sugary foods. The girls also observed osmosis in blood cells and made their own blood slides where they got to see their own blood cells under a microscope.

In the afternoon they identified pathogenic bacteria by using gram positive and negative staining. The day ended with an activity on respiration where the girls learnt that the carbon dioxide concentration in blood determines the rate of breathing. It was an interesting experience for the girls.

SCIENCE PRACTICAL WORK

Most of the science classes are studying hard in preparation for the senior internal week in week 4.

For many this involves a lot of practical work, which is an exciting part of the science curriculum. Experiments, conducting fair tests, and analysing the sometimes unexpected results are all part of the fun.

Congratulations to our many students who were involved in organising or performing in the Talent Quest, and good luck to our Theatresports team for their rounds this term in the interschools competition. Also Years 11 and 13 completed assessments in week 3 and there were many Excellence grades and a very high pass rate, so well done to all those students who have been working so well in class. Drama Club will be starting in Week 5 and is open to any student who wishes to join. Meetings will be at lunchtime, and a performance will be prepared for Open

Day. Alice In Wonderland rehearsals are in full swing, and the talented cast is bringing the show together really well. Fabulous costumes and props are currently being constructed and the band and live singing is sounding awesome. This will definitely be an excellent show, so save a night between the 2nd and 9th of August to go and see it.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN NGAA PUAWAITANGA FROM AUGUST 2 - 9

DRAMA

A MESSAGE FROM THE 2014 SCIENCE PREFECTMy name is GEORGIA ALLEN and I am the Science Prefect for 2014. My role is to promote the science subjects to the students at Hamilton Girls’ High School. The sciences (chemistry, biology and physics) can open so many doors leading into the future and I hope to encourage girls to get involved and interested in these areas. All students are welcome to attend tutorials run throughout the year if they are in need of a bit of extra help in a particular area or areas. I want to assist girls in understanding and enjoying science as the places it can take you are endless!

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE DAY

The Year 13 Agricultural Science Day is an exciting day for anyone interested in a career in agriculture or science. Two HGHS Year 13 Biology students, Mirren Blake and Kate Illing went this year. They visited LYE Farm and the LIC Farm where experts in their fields showcased what their jobs involved and taught them a few of the skills they require such as artificially inseminating a cow and testing soil types. At the end of the day, the girls were introduced to a group of scientists who specialized in different fields of agricultural science and they learnt about how each person got to where they are today. The day was very interesting for the two girls as it gave them an insight into the career opportunities available in agriculture.

Mandi Longmuir

Abbie Hanson

9WW have been working on identifying the author’s purpose/main idea in texts that they choose personally and read in their own time.

Students were asked to choose a scene and use a graphic form to make the author’s purpose clear. Mandi and Abbie used Bitsrips to create their work.

ENGLISH

MATHS TUTORING

The Mathematics Department is running lunchtime tutorials in the first half of lunchtime for all year levels and the schedule is as follows in M1.1. There will be a current teacher of that year level taking the tutorials.

Tutoring for all subjects is also available at the Library every Tuesday after school and in C1 during lunchtime on Wednesdays. Our senior students are working diligently in preparation for NCEA Internals in Week 4 and we encourage them to do their personal best in these very important assessments. If they need extra help in Maths at any time they should be going to the tutorials offered above.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 Yr 12 Yr 13

Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10

Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 Yr 12 Yr 13

MATHEMATICS

ETON PRESS CASIO SENIOR MATHEMATICS COMPETITION 2014

Several of our students are participating in this Competition which is open to all Year 12 and 13 Mathematics students.

PRIZES

1st Prize $1000.002nd Prize $600.003rd Prize $400.00

Plus 12 Prizes of $50.00

The Preliminary Competition date is 22 May 2014

The top 15 students will win a trip to Upper Hutt to compete in the Final competition on 22 August 2014.Certificates will be awarded to the top 200 students.

Every participant receives a gift.

9WW BITSTRIPS

ENGLISH

BUSINESS STUDIESGala Day was a chance for over 20 Business Studies groups to fundraise for their start-up capital for their Young Enterprise Scheme business. People sold pizza, cupcakes, popcorn, hotdogs, pies, sausages, toffee apples, milkshakes, sherbet, hot chips, cake pops and many more different types of food. There was a group that had a raffle and a group that did guess ‘how many jelly beans are in the jar’.

There was an awesome turn out of students and teachers that came to support the Business Studies groups. It was such a success. Most groups made a decent profit for the start-up capital. I think I speak for everyone that was involved in Gala Day that I would love to do it again!

It was such a success and I think everyone is looking forward to using their proceeds to develop their products or services this year.

I would just like to thank all the teachers and support staff in helping the students with Gala Day and I would also like to thank all of our customers for supporting our business groups. They were such a big part of helping all the businesses, so thanks everyone.

Samara DempseyManaging Director of Freezia

Our Year 12 Geography class went to the Hamilton Zoo on Monday 20th May. Our focus for the trip was to build on the knowledge we had learnt in class about the threats humans have to endangered exotic animals in places like the Amazon Basin. We had a great day out and some students opted to have a face-to-face encounter with the Sumatran Tiger. This experience really opened our eyes to the dangers these at risk animals are facing out in the wild.

GEOGRAPHY

THINKING TOOL STRATEGYRELATE,

QUESTION,

EXPLORE

This thinking strategy is designed to push your thinking so that you can create your own questions about a topic.

• Decide on a topic or use one provided by your teacher.

• Brainstorm everything you know about the topic.

• Create as many questions as you can on the topic that you want answers.

• Explore your answers and begin to refine your response.

The Media Studies department has benefited from the appointment of Media Prefect Ashley Buencamino – who, along with Hannah Sarcich, is helping to lead a competitive film making group. Across New Zealand there are many different video competitions available for high school students to enter with an abundance of prizes.

The first competition HGHS will enter is an anti-bullying campaign sponsored by Mad Butcher. On Saturday, May 17th Ashley, Hannah and Shavaughn Stanley-Williams headed out to a farm to film cows for the up-coming competition.

The girls captured some fantastic footage and plan on stomping out their competitors with an anti-bullying advert featuring dairy cows with bad attitudes. The final slogan for the ad - “Don’t be a cow! Bullying is bull.”

The video will be uploaded onto the Mad Butcher Facebook page by May 23rd – it should be utterly fantastic!

MEDIA STUDIESCOMPETITIVE FILM MAKING CLUB

INTERNATIONAL FILM CLUB

The Media Studies department has reintroduced the International Film Club after a shaky start last year.

The first film to be screened was Wadjda directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour (2012). Haifaa Al-Mansour is the first female director in Saudi Arabia. The film has a female lead who is trying to buy a bicycle. Societal views dictate that women should not ride bicycles, however Wadjda sets out to buy her own bike.

The International Film club will be screening two more films in Term 2, Wednesday of week 6 and Wednesday of week 9 in H1.1.

See Mrs Maplesden or Ms Kenny for permission slips.

On Wednesday 21st May, nine senior Japanese students travelled to Auckland University of Technology to participate in a special programme organised by Japanese lecturer, Dallas Nesbit. The first activity was a brief history of sushi making, and then a hands on demonstration on how to make onigiri (rice balls). The girls enjoyed making and eating their own rice balls for lunch along with student volunteers from AUT.

The programme also included various games and activities designed to get the girls talking about food, and then they all recorded conversations with others for their NCEA speaking portfolios. Emily Forlong and Megan Hooper were lucky enough to win T shirts from AUT as spot prizes. It was a very enjoyable and productive day.

LANGUAGES

ESI 9C1 SIGN LANGUAGE LESSON

On Tuesday, May 20th the girls in Ms Kenny’s 9C1 ESI class had a lesson in New Zealand sign language thanks to Susitina Cook visiting them from Deaf Aotearoa. Her daughter, Sian-tilly Cook, organised the lesson and assisted her mother in teaching the others to sign. During National Sign Language week Deaf Aotearoa offers free taster courses to the community. The students learned to sign their own names, greetings, basic questions and colours. It was fantastic to have Susitina in class and 9C1, along with Ms Kenny, would like to give her a big Thank You! For lessons, activities or games to share with your class visit deaf.org.nz.

Hazel Panzo and Marimar Lumiwes

receive some coaching on the technique

involved in making onigiri.

YEAR 11 SPANISH

As part of their Food topic study Y 11 Spanish class experienced their own Tapas Party concluding Term 1 work.

Students prepared a range of Spanish tapas to share in class. We absolutely adored Spanish chorizo, meatballs (albóndigas), flan, empanadas, pisto, quesadillas and more.

Delicioso!

LANGUAGE PERFECT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The annual Language Perfect World Championships are well under way, and our students are frantically learning vocabulary to gain points for themselves and the school. The competition doesn’t end until May 29th but already our students have earned 5 Gold, 9 Silver, 12 Bronze and 29 credit awards. To help kick start their efforts we held a Language Perfect pizza party on Thursday 21st May. Many students earned more than 500 points during this time. All girls who are studying languages at all levels within the school were able to take part in the competition for free. Anyone who found Language Perfect to be beneficial to their language learning who is not already a full member can join for $20 which will last for the rest of the year.

At the time of writing this report, our school was 38th in the World over all languages, (out of 1105 schools), 4th in Spanish and 5th in French within New Zealand. We wish our students all the best for the final days of the competition, and will give final results in the next newsletter. Slaving away on the computers, not long after completing the cross country are (left to right) Simron Mann, Imogen Graham and Rozhin Baneh (pictured below).

Spanish Tapas pizza party

We are Jeneva Hall, Alena Philpott, Mikayla Pledger and Rebekah Rodgers.

During the Easter holidays we are going to Thailand to run children’s programmes in nine rural, non English speaking villages. We are doing this alongside six others from East Youth to bless people less fortunate than we are here in New Zealand .

Cheska Saavedra was very successful in both the National and local UN Speech Competition. She was first in the Waikato Competition and then was second in the National Competition, held at Parliament. She was only narrowly beaten by the winner from Christchurch.

The speech they had to give was on the topic: “Education for Peace, what is to be done?”. The other entrants for the Waikato Competition were Celeste Rakena and Mirella Willson. Both of them also drew praise from the judges for their interpretation of the topic, with Celeste making a moving speech on the importance of education from the example of her father. Cheska’s speech drew on the idea that education for peace would only come about if adults put aside the money and resources to teach us about how to act and promote peace. She started the speech with this: “When you know better, you do better.” These were the words of one of the greatest African-American poets and freedom fighters of all time, Maya Angelou. But, we must ask ourselves, what is ‘knowing better’? And what is ‘doing better’? For me, ‘knowing better’ makes me think of education and the hope that with a better education, we will all be able to ‘do better.’ –

Being able to see the wisdom of just government structures, an equitable economy and protecting civil liberties.”

THAILAND VISIT

SUCCESS AT THE WAIKATO AND NATIONAL UN SPEECH COMPETITION

1APS HUNTLY HALF MARATHON

1APS students ran the Huntly Half Marathon bright and early in the morning on Sunday 18th May. The 1APS students met at Huntly Domain ready for the half marathon.

After months of long training runs and working hard in class time, the day was finally here. Some students couldn’t wait to get started and some couldn’t wait to see the finish line! The race started at 10am with a winding route over bridges, around the town, round the lake and up ‘the never ending hill’! After this the route was undulating with lots of switchbacks which tested our mental toughness.

Most students found that 17km was where their legs started to feel heavy and blisters started appearing on their feet, however with constant support from each other and the crowds lining the route, the whole group completed the 21km.

There were some amazing performances with all students achieving something they never thought possible back in January when they started Level 1 Advanced PE. What an amazing day, girls. I couldn’t be prouder!

Miss Cox

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

3APO ROCK CLIMBING

During Term One, as a part of the 3APO course, students have been going rock climbing as a part of their 3.4 performance assessment. This assessment requires us to complete three different activities to a national standard. Rock climbing was one. We will also complete the Tough Guy Tough Gal race up in Auckland and a multisport event later in the year for this assessment.

We have been travelling down to Extreme Edge during our lesson time to practise our indoor rock climbing skills. We completed our indoor climbing assessment a couple of weeks ago at Extreme Edge with many girls gaining a merit grade. We were also supposed to have a climbing session at Wharepapa South to experience outdoor climbing. However, due to the weather we could not climb as it would have been too wet and unsafe for us.

All of the girls in 3APO should be so proud of what they have accomplished while rock climbing.

3APO KAYAKING

During this term our 3APO class have been lucky enough to learn to Eskimo Roll and how it biomechanically works for the internal 3.2. For most of us it was terrifying being stuck under water in the kayaks, however it was rewarding when we conquered our fears with some of us even managing to roll our kayaks back around.

We are now busy finishing our reports on a classmate’s Eskimo Roll where we analyse what they do well and how their roll can improve. This has been not only a great opportunity to learn about how the body works and different biomechanical principles; we have also been pushed out of our comfort zones and found it to be a great experience.

Our Facebook page is now live! Search for us under “Hamilton Girls’ High Careers and Gateway” and “like” us so you can keep up to date with all our activities and events, including tertiary provider and Defence Force visits, student exchange information, and tips about applying for jobs. We update our page every week.

YEAR 13Many of our Year 13 students have already attended a careers interview with either Mrs Oppert or Mrs Lander during Term 1. The remainder of the Year 13 students will be interviewed during Term 2. The intention of this is to assist the students with their future plans for 2015 and beyond. You can support your daughter by encouraging her to attend the interview.

Every student is given a Career Path Action Plan to take away with them, so they can show this to their parents and discuss it.

The CareersNZ website www.careers.govt.nz is a very good resource for both parents and students. Those unsure about their plans are encouraged to complete the activities that may give them a starting point – Plan Your Career, and Interactive Tools – CareerQuest quiz, Skills Matcher, and Subject Matcher. The “Where To?” section in Interactive Tools also shows where school subjects could lead to. The results of these can then be discussed at interview time if necessary.

All Year 13 students also have the opportunity to complete a Red Cross First Aid Certificate and bookings are presently open in the Careers Room for a range of different dates. This is a very good addition to a CV.

YEARS 10, 11 AND 12Good decisions in careers require good information. Knowing “what’s out there”, knowing what options and opportunities exist is essential.

IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO DO THIS, THE ACRONYM SODA IS USEFUL:

S for Self-Awareness – students need to know their strengths and weaknesses, their likes and dislikes if they are to make good choices for their future study and career plans.

O for Opportunities – there are so many! It is important for students to have the skills and knowledge to fully investigate the possibilities.

D for Decisions – once strengths and weaknesses are known and opportunities have been investigated, students are in a position to make informed decisions about their future. It is important for parents to provide support and encouragement at this stage.

A for Action – school leavers in particular have many critical actions to undertake, whether moving into the workforce or going on to further study. However, current students can also take action by compiling their CV to apply for part-time jobs.

TERTIARY VISITSIn the last month, we have had visits from the School of Radio, Auckland University’s Maori Health unit and Waikato University. The representatives from these institutions are extremely knowledgeable, accessible and helpful. We encourage students to come along to their talks and email them afterwards to request any further information.

COMING UP IN TERM 2:

June 8 Careers Expo, Claudelands EventsJune 20 Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Open DayJune 27 Wintec Open Day

CAREERS UPDATE

TAI TUMU, TAI PARI, TAI AO LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME BY NEVADA HUAKI “Our plan. Our future, Our environment”

In 2013 Kiingi Tuheitia launched a Waikato-Tainui environmental plan. The significant approach of the plan looks at the teachings of Kiingi Tawhiao (second Māori king), taken from a maimai aroha where he laments with a heavy heart his longing for and adoration of the Taonga and natural resources of his homeland. Waikato-Tainui aspires to the restoration of the environment to the state that Kiingi Tawhiao observed when he composed this waiata (song).

The Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development and the Waikato Raupatu River Trust have developed and are delivering a pilot Leadership programme for Primary and Secondary School students during this year’s school holidays in Hopuhopu. Pare Kaihau, Peti Cooper-Slade, and I were selected, along with other students from schools all around Waikato, to represent our school at this programme as the first participants to become potential future leaders of Tainui. At each workshop we broaden our knowledge and interest in the Waikato-Tainui environment plan and how we can become active participants and help to restore it our local land. During the programme we will experience a range of activities such as: Learning about the Kingitanga; learning waiata (songs); exploring local environments, partaking in planting, fishing, trekking and DoC ranger activities; leadership training; increasing awareness and connectivity to the local environments; and meeting other students within the region.

On completion we are to develop a site plan of Hopuhopu of what we wish to see in 20 years time as the long term approach to building the capacity of Waikato-Tainui marae, hapu, and iwi. This gives us a chance to express what we wish to see in our future for Tainui. We present our site plan presentation at the 2014 Koroneihana (Coronation) held at Turangawaewae later this year. We look forward to sharing our presentations with the region and thank the school for giving us the opportunity to become developed leaders as champions of the Waikato-Tainui Environmental Plan.

THE AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:

1. To gain a basic understanding of the Waikato-Tainui Environmental Plan;2. To gain a basic understanding of Waikato-Tainui history;3. To inspire students to pursue Resource and Environmental management as a pathway of learning; and4. To develop leadership potential amongst participants as champions of the Waikato-Tainui Environmental Plan.

TANYA MHLANGA AT KIT CLEWS LAW

Hamilton Girls’ High provides a lot of opportunities for their students to experience different work (place) force experience. As a Year 13 trying to find a pathway for my future, I decided to try out Gateway work experience. I wish to be a lawyer one day and have always wanted to be mentored by one. I loved the mentoring programme because I experienced how they address real life problems. I love the honesty of when people address real problems. Secondly, I got to see skills from an extremely bright and talented lawyer. I saw how you have to be confident and think on your feet to make important decisions.

Law enables people to be both teachers and students on a daily basis. I was assigned to a Lawyer by the name of Kit Clews. On the first day of meeting him he got right into work. Tianna Kahi and I were lucky enough to witness a court case from the beginning to the end. The experience was surreal, being able to watch Kit Clews at work, learning the process that occurs in court and being motivated to actually want to become a lawyer. I want to be able to feel that I can make a difference in someone’s life. I can help change lives for the better and they can sleep at night and stop worrying. During the court

case I realised that law was a testimonial to both the light and the dark which make up our beings. I’m truly grateful for the Gateway Law experience because it has paired me with a Lawyer who has mentored me and given me the enthusiasm to want to succeed as a lawyer in my future, and it has taught me that I can do anything and everything with hard work and determination.

I cannot wait to attend law school and experience these three elements of law school:-

The first year they scare you to death… The second year they work you to death… The third year they bore you to death…

TEGAN FYERS AT FRANKTON TOPMARK BUTCHERY

This year I chose to do Gateway as I was so lost in what to do next year. Doing my Gateway at Frankton Topmark Butchery has shown me all about the job. The guys are really nice and it’s a great atmosphere to be in. One of the best things about Gateway is that it’s practical. You go in and do it hands on and after 80 hours is over I am sure I’ll have a fair idea if this is a career path I would like to take. Gateway is an amazing opportunity and I recommend it if you are unsure what you want to do when you leave school.

GATEWAY

WHANAU HUI

David Heperi with Year 10 daughter Chenoa Heperi at the Whanau Hui

On the 3rd of April we hosted our second Whanau Hui with a pleasing amount of parents and staff who turned up in spite of the thunder and rain. The Ka Awatea leaders addressed the hui. Carmen Mataira impressed with a confident and detailed explanation of coming Ka Awatea activities. Carmen announced that a karakia would begin future assemblies. Ka Awatea are also planning a homework centre in Term Two. This will probably be held on Wednesday lunchtimes and tutored by staff and students. A Matariki whanau talent night is also being discussed. The focus will be on items based on Matariki and there will be prizes for the first three placings. Devena Ruwhiu-Edmonds, the Kapa Haka prefect spoke, in an interesting way, about last year’s trip to Kawhia and this year’s trip to Raglan. These trips are designed to show students places of cultural interest and help them understand the basis of their performances. She also announced an eight credit unit standard at Level Three, 27548, to be available to all members of the group at various performances. The Principal Marie Gordon then spoke about raising achievement and of the importance of support from whanau and staff. Deputy Principal Katrina Whaanga then explained the aims and successes of the Te Kupenga and Te Arahanga programmes.

Both programmes support students and cover fitness and rising to leadership. Credits are available at Year 11.

Karen Shute explained the importance of treating each student as an individual and of forming relationships. To increase student understanding, learning conversations are being implemented in the school. She encouraged parents and staff to think about what they wanted a graduate student to be like. Karen also explained the use of the Kyle Square and introduced the aims of Positive Behaviour for Learning. Parents and students then went to a computer lab where they were shown how to track student progress and contact teachers, deans and student reception. The first of our Whanau Surveys was sent out for all whanau to respond to. A fabulous kai followed in an atmosphere of laughter and friendliness.

All Maori and Pasifika parents and students are very welcome to attend these hui and a warm thanks is extended to those who have so far supported them, even in a rain storm.

ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND OUR NEXT WHANAU HUI SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 19TH 6.30PM WHARENUI.

MULTICULTURAL CLUB

OUR HELPFUL JAPANESE STUDENTS WITH AMUN MUKHTAR, OUR MULTICULTURAL CAPTAIN.

Back Row: Irene Sugimoto, Amun Mukhtar, Yui Asajima, Izumi Hiromasa, Shiho Shirakura. Front Row: Aya Ihioshi, Hinano Tanaka, Moeka Nakashima, Karen Tomizawa.

Last Thursday, May 15, our Multicultural captain, Amun Mukhtar, with the help of Irene Sugimoto organised a special event for the school. We are lucky to have several students from Japan attending Hamilton Girls’ High School this year and they kindly helped to teach those who came how to do some simple origami, and how to play some traditional Japanese games.

The kendama especially was very popular as there were prizes for doing well. The girls who had brought their kimono with them to New Zealand wore them so that we could enjoy seeing them in their traditional clothes.

Kimono Bows

TE PAE TAWHITI HOMEWORK CENTRE

Every Wednesday Lunchtime in C1. This is well under way and the turn out from the girls has been great. This is a student run initiative from our Ka Awatea Committee. We encourage all students to come along. It is a positive learning environment with senior leaders and teachers there to help. The door is always open. If your daughter attends 7 or more sessions there will be a lunch for her at the end of the term.

Hamilton Girls’ High School SENIOR TOUCH TEAM 2014 PRESENTS

UNDER THE POSTSWith SIR COLIN MEADS

On the couchQ&A with Liam MessamEvent: Celebrity Variety DinnerWhen: Saturday, 28 June 2014Time: Doors Open 6.30pmWhere: HGHSAuditorium-NgāPuawaitangaCost: $80.00 per person Complimentary drink on arrival Buffet Dinner Cash Bar available

To purchase tickets or for more information contact: Hollie Gray Email: grayh@hghs.school.nz Mob: 021888442

ProceedsfromthiseveningwillgotowardsourTouch Tour to Queensland. Thank you for your support.

Wewouldliketoacknowledgepastandpresentstudentsfortheircommitmentovertheyears.Thisyear’sAustraliantouristhefirststeponourpathtowardsattainingouroverallgoalofwinningtheNewZealandSecondarySchoolTouchNationalsinDecember.

NCEA

Key NZQA DatesStudents should check their results on the NZQA Database using their Learner Logon Updated on the 5th day of each Month

NZQA Fees Due on 13th June 2014 Financial Assistance Due on 13th June 2014

Last Date to Withdraw from External Exams School’s deadline – 15th August 2014 Last Date to Withdraw from Internal

StandardUnless you have been given an

adequate assessment opportunity

School’s deadline – 21st November 2014

NZQA Fees are due to the Finance Office by the 13th June 2014.NZQA will charge an extra $50.00 fee for any late payment. They will also withhold student’s results until the fees are paid in full. This could cause problems for any student wishing to gain entry to courses, polytechnic, or university in 2015. Please ensure you meet this deadline

NZQA Fees for Domestic Candidates Entry FeeEntry for all NZQF standards including Scholarship subjects $76.70

NZQA Fees for International Fee Paying Candidates Entry FeeEntry for all NQF standards $383.30Entry for each Scholarship subject $102.20 per subject

Financial AssistanceTo be eligible for financial assistance the applicant (normally the parent or guardian of the candidate) must be the fee payer and meet at least one of the following criteria: Be receiving a Work and Income or Study Link benefit. (benefit-based applications) Have a joint family income that would entitle the applicant to receive a Community Services Card.

(income-based applications) Have more than one child undertaking these qualifications in the same year, irrespective of income

and the total fees to pay are higher than $200. (multiple candidate applications)Applications are due to the Finance Office by the 13th June To apply: Complete the “Application for Financial Assistance” form. You can obtain a financial assistance form from the student finance office or download it from the NZQA website (http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/qualifications-and-standards/qualifications/ncea/Application-For-Financial-Assistance.pdf)

Eligible for beneficiary or income-based assistance

Not eligible for beneficiary or income-based assistance

One child who is a candidate $20.00 Full fees ($76.70 for NZQF and 3 Scholarship subjects)

More than one child who are candidates

A maximum of $30.00 per family

Where fees are payable for more than one candidate, a maximum of $100.00 per child and $200.00 per fee payer1

International fee paying students are not eligible for financial assistance.

NZQF = New Zealand Quantifications Framework

AUTHENTICITY:All grades are based on the student’s own work.

The work must be the student’s own: The teacher will use at least one method to check that the work is the student’s own. Methods could include: supervising the research process by including regular checkpoints, requiring draft work to be submitted, keeping work onsite, and oral questioning.

Plagiarism (Copying) is considered cheating and is dealt with as a Breach of the Rules. Plagiarised work will be ineligible for a grade.

Referencing: Students are to acknowledge their sources and use the referencing procedures below (unless otherwise directed to do so by their teacher): All primary (i.e., information you collect directly, e.g. surveys) surveys and secondary

sources of written information/material/data (e.g., from books, magazines, internet) must be referenced so they are able to be checked by another person.

As a guide: For written material: listing the author, the date of publishing, publication name, publisher, and page numbers

This applies to all, material, such as: books, magazines, newspapers, internet, teachers notes, other students’ work, etc.

For surveys: a copy of the survey with, either the names or contact details of the people surveyed or the survey conditions used.

Where students quote/ paraphrase written material: Use quotation marks at the beginning and at end of the quoted information/material Use a series of dots to indicate that some of the material has been removed (e.g.,

She said to Joan ……… that) Use brackets when extra information is added (e.g., She said to Joan [her sister]) Cite the author and where this information can be checked by another person.

See NZQA website for further information on Authenticity (http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/assessment-and-moderation/assessment-of-standards/generic-resources/authenticity/)

School contact Mr Mitchell is the Principal’s Nominee (NZQA Liaison) at the school. You can contact him by:

E-mail: mitchellm@hghs.school.nzPhone: 07 839 1304 EXT 893 Mail: Mr Mitchell

Principal’s Nominee PO Box 4082 Hamilton

KEY DATES JUNE 20142 JUNE Queens Birthday - School Closed5 JUNE 1APS Assessment 3HOS Assessment6 JUNE Sport & Cultural Photos8 JUNE Waikato Schools Tour (Road Cycling)10 JUNE 3BIO Web Day11 JUNE L3 GEO Field Trip Waikato BOP Secondary Schools Cross Country12 JUNE 1ESI Field Trip13 JUNE 1 & 2 ECO Field Trip17 JUNE 3DRM Dress Rehearsal Y11 Speech Competition18 JUNE 3DRM Performance ANZAC Exhibition WSS Gymsport Competition WSS Squash Individuals19 JUNE Whanau Hui 3DRM Performance WSS Squash Individuals 2&3 Business Studies Dragon’s Den20 JUNE 2APS 2.3 Fitness Day 1GEO Field Trip21 JUNE Hostel Set Leave NZSS Cross Country til Sun, 22 June24 JUNE Level 1 Music Assessments WBOP School TEAMS25 JUNE 2PED 2.8 Assessment Day L2/3 Music Assessments Mufti Day WSS Squash 3DNC Rehearsal SELL (1BUS) til Friday, 27 June26 JUNE 13APS/APO Tough Gal 3DNC Showcase27 JUNE 10SPORT Ult Frisbee28 JUNE World Challenge Nepal til Wednesday, 2 July Touch fundraising event - On the Couch with Colin Meads