h.g.h.s

Underpinning everything is the school motto “A wise woman shapes her own destiny.” Hamilton Girls’ High School

AUGUST 2013

Principal’s Comment Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou

Ward Street, PO BOX 1267 Hamilton 3240

Phone: 07 839 1304 Fax: 07 834 1394

www.hghs.school.nzadministration@hghs.school.nz

As a school we have shared a number of successes in school, regional and national competitions this term both with staff and students. This month’s newsletter celebrates and shares many of these successes with you, our school community.

It is also very important that at school and home we try to help our students to carefully manage a busy school calendar so that they are focused first and foremost on attaining their qualifications, while aspiring to extend themselves and test their character and resilience through co-curricular activities. We have many amazing young women in our school who work incredibly hard at achieving personal excellence or in most cases, personal best. This focus is, in my view, part of the foundation of Hamilton Girls’ High School and is critical to our future direction.

A highlight for me this term has been our Open Day. A slight change to how it has been run in the past, we ran an exciting rotation of a “slice of life” as a Year 9 student studying at Hamilton Girls’ High School, where visitors took the opportunity to experience and observe what our subjects have to offer. It was pleasing to see over 800 people come through our school, but more importantly for me, to see approximately 350 of our students give up their time to act as a tour guide or working at one of the 14 stations.

Planning for 2014 has commenced. Students will be invited to attend option evenings if they require further discussion on their subject and career pathways. Academic mentors and tutor group teachers have also been available for extra support through tracking their progress to date.

In 2014, there will be a shift in our timetable structure. We will be moving to one hour lessons next year and also, we will not be offering Individual Learning Periods or a Personal Development Programme in the senior school. Year 13 students will still have a study line allocated, and although rumours are rife at the moment, the privilege of wearing tidy mufti to school will still be in place. Year 11-12 students will be taking six subjects next year that will have approximately 18-24 credits offered in a full year course. Half year-semester courses will be available for a targeted group of students who may not have passed Level 1 or 2, or who may find the programme of six NCEA subjects too challenging.

We have some exciting times ahead of us.

NAKU NOA

MARIE GORDONPRINCIPAL

Marie Gordon

SECURITY FENCE - We have commenced works on building a security fence around our school in the hope that it will deter the throughfare foot traffic of outsiders during the day, students from other schools coming onto our school grounds and a considerable reduction in vandalism. In particular, we have homeless people who sleep in our grounds as well as the skateboarders who believe our school is the new “skateboard park” in town. It is our responsibility to ensure we provide a safe environment for both students and staff. We cannot afford to build the fence right around school, but will utilize our security cameras to focus on points of entry. The fence will come down Ward St, along Tristram St and up Hill St to the gymnasium driveway. Gates will be closed during the day. All visitors to the school will be requested to report to the Administration block from Ward St. All students who wish to leave the school must sign out of the Student Reception area, receive a pass and leave via Ward St or the gymnasium entrance.

SNUP - We presently have workmen on site completing an upgrade on our network. The Ministry of Education’s School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) subsidises and manages internal information and communication technologies (ICT) network upgrades (including cabling and switches) in state and state-integrated schools. This upgrade ensures optimal use of the Government’s ultra-fast broadband initiative.

NEW GYMNASIUM - The new gymnasium is still in the concept stage as we investigate Ministry approval and possible funding sources.

WINTER TOURNAMENT - Good luck to all the Winter Tournament teams as they head to their respective competitions: 1st XI Football in Nelson, Premier in Netball Auckland, Premier in Basketball Rotorua, Ist XI Hockey in Levin and Ist XV Rugby Palmerston North.

MALINS BUILDING - Woodview Construction have now commenced Phase 2 of the weather tightness programme in Malins Building. Phase 1 has been completed successfully, with a new look in some of the classrooms.

It is our absolute privilege to announce the appointment of Mrs Kathy Paterson to the position of Principal at Lincoln High School in Christchurch. Mrs Paterson has many links to the South Island and is really excited with the prospect of leading this wonderful co-educational school. She has contributed immensely to Hamilton Girls’ High School and has formed amazing relationships with students, parents and staff here, she will be sadly missed.

Congratulations to Mrs Kathy Paterson

Mrs Paterson will leave Hamilton Girls’ High School at the end of term 3 and commence her new position on October 14th. I know that you will join with me, in congratulating Mrs Paterson on her appointment and wishing her all the very best for her future.

SCHOOL NOTICES

FOUNDERS DAY

VISIT FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATIONHEKIA PARATA

ON FRIDAY 2ND AUGUST, HAMILTON GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL WAS VISITED BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION, HEKIA PARATA.

Several year 12 students had the opportunity to speak with her about our views on education and what we felt we would retain from our experiences at high school. Hekia Parata wanted us to realise just how important our school years are to building ourselves a strong network within the community and to expose us to a range of different areas which we can pursue.

An important message we learnt was that in life we don’t just have to limit ourselves to one career

path. If an opportunity arises for us to discover something new about ourselves and our passions we can seize the chance; at any stage in our lives.

Using herself as an example, Hekia Parata explained that she was on her fifth career and that, looking back, she had enjoyed every one of them and felt no regret of moving on in pursuit of discovery.

She told us that she was visiting several schools throughout the North Island to talk to students about making the most of our education and ensure that we set ourselves up for the future. She said everyone has power, some

more than others but it is the way we use our power that determines our success.

Students such as oursleves inspire Hekia Parata to use her voice in government to improve the efficiency of our education system to ensure that we get every opportunity to achieve the best we can.

It was inspiring for us to see how a woman from such humble beginnings used her vivacity and hunger for knowledge to rise to the position she holds today with the aspiration to make others’ lives better.

BY ALEX MAYER 12HCC

BY ALEX MAYER

ON THURSDAY, 15TH AUGUST THE ANNUAL WAIMATHS QUIZ NIGHT WAS HELD AT HAMILTON GARDENS.

This was a riveting evening for our Year 9, 10 and 11 quiz teams. This interschool competition is where teams of three students pit their problem solving skills against each other. A total of 118 teams from 48 schools participated in this event. The HGHS Year 10 and 11 teams have been working furiously towards this event all year, while the year 9 team was newly formed. The HGHS Year 11 team lost by only 1 point for third place at Year 11. Too close….. All the girls, including the reserves, deserve accolades for the way

they made us proud of their efforts. Congratulations to the girls for being the top of their year levels and representing the school so well. Congratulations should also be given to Mrs Anita Chan and Mrs Louise Pryor for being the organisers of the event on behalf of the Waikato Mathematics Association. It is a really big event and the evening went incredibly smoothly thanks to their superb efforts.

Our Associate Principal, Kathy Paterson, who has been the Master of Ceremonies for this event for many years is leaving HGHS at the end of this term and this will be the last Quiz she fronts. We are very grateful for her contribution and she will be greatly missed.

Top: Year 11:, Rachel Li, Nazifa Rahman and Krystal Lin.Below: Year 9: Dru Brown, Casey Kennett and Paige Locke.Bottom: Year 10; Aashima Kansal, Eden Poihipi, Nodira Askarova.

Academic News

What a night! So many products were unveiled and lots of selling soon followed. The students had a spectacular time through the hands on experience of being small business owners for the Product Launch Evening which was held on 5th of August and on Market day, 6th of August. It has been really rewarding to see our students shine in these events and earn profit after many months of hard work and dedication. Well done to Year 10 Enterprise Studies and Economic students.

The Business Studies department would like to thank parents, family and friends who have supported our Year 10 Enterprise Studies and Economic students through their business journey and

also being very good patrons of the events. We would also like to thank Lisa Thomson for being our photographer and our sponsors of the evening: Waratah Tokoroa and Event Cinemas, Chartwell.

Bring on Product Launch and Market Day 2014!

YEAR 10 ENTERPRISE STUDIES

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRODUCT LAUNCH EVENING PRIZE WINNERS FOR 2013:

• Sweet Things• Sweet Stop• Lavish Reaf• MommentYum• Lil Creations• The A Team

ON TUESDAY 30TH JULY WE WELCOMED A GROUP OF 16 GIRLS FROM KENMEI SCHOOL IN JAPAN.

They stayed with us for ten days during which time they joined a PE lesson, made cranes with 9EA to commemorate Peace Day

and joined the Year 10 Japanese class for various interactive activities. The students enjoyed their time in New Zealand and are very grateful to the wonderful host families who looked after them so well. We are hoping to return the visit with a trip to Japan in 2015.

Information about the proposed trip will follow later in the year.

Anyone who would like to host a Japanese student for one of these short term visits in the future should contact Head of Languages, Mrs Jo Barber.

LANGUAGES

ONCE AGAIN THE SCIENCE FAIR HAS BEEN HELD. HERE AT HGHS IT IS VOLUNTARY FOR THE GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE.

Every year we have students put in a lot of effort to investigate, research and sometimes to photograph scientific phenomenon in the world around us. This year’s projects were: Impurities in Bottled Water by Aashima Kansal and Dipshaya Mahara,

O2 through H2O by Nazifa Rahman and Krystal Lin, Don’t let the Acid Rain by Eden Bates and Izzy Clark, and Electricity 2015 by Rachel Li and Eden Poihipi.

Nazifa and Krystal represented us at the Waikato Science Fair.Congratulations to all the girls who participated in the Science Fair this year. We look forward to seeing next year’s projects!

BY JANET VOSS

Top: Krystal Lin and Nazifa Rahman represented HGHS at the Waikato Science fair with their project 02 through H20.

AS PART OF LEARNING ABOUT THE BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL EVOLUTION OF HOMININS (MODERN HUMANS AND THEIR BIPEDAL ANCESTORS) AND PRIMATES, THE YEAR 13 BIOLOGY CLASSES WENT ON A FIELDTRIP TO THE AUCKLAND ZOO.

We were lucky enough to see primate skulls and skeletons in two different interactive lectures which helped us understand the evolution of humans and also the biological differences between humans and other

primate species. We then had time to enjoy looking at all the animals around the zoo and have a closer look at the features of modern primates which supported our understanding.

Overall it was a very fun and informative day, and great revision for the external exam!

BY KRYSTAL GERAGHTY AND KELLY LE QUESNE

YEAR 13 BIOLOGY

TRIP TO AUCKLAND ZOO

YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHYTHIS TERM IN GEOGRAPHY WE HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING BIO-SECURITY AS A RISK TO OUR NATIVE NEW ZEALAND FLORA AND FAUNA.

We went on a fieldtrip to Maungatautari Ecological

Island Trust and looked at the methods they were using to control and eradicate pests from Maungatautari. We were lucky enough to see three Takahe; a native New Zealand species that is critically endangered. There are only about 250 of them left!

We gathered valuable information for our assessment and learnt how precious our native species are. It is so important that we continue to control and get rid of the pests that threaten these species.

August is a busy time for the music department as musical groups lead by HGHS itinerant teachers prepare for the Band and Orchestra Festival held at the University of Waikato on August 23rd.

This competition is one of the highlights of the musical year and provides students with a great opportunity to perform alongside other groups from around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

This year we have three groups competing they are: Trouble Clefs (guitar); the Samba Band; and the Combined HBHS & HGHS Orchestra.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

MRS GRAY HAS HER ART EXHIBITION ON DISPLAY AT ARTS POST ON VICTORIA ST. Her works are the result of noticing the light reflected off the white balls of plastic string hanging in the supermarket. She has worked in both textiles and flat glass design and it is the light that fascinates her.

Light accentuates textures and shadows in sculptural and low relief works, is reflected off surfaces or shines through textured coloured glass.Extensive research in Bunnings and $2 dollar shops have resulted in these experimental works using traditional crochet techniques.

The colour palette is limited to what can be found in the appropriate weight of fibre.

These include plastic string, raffia, plastic twine and blind cord.

Mrs Gray says that “Interesting objects can be created out of the most mundane materials if we have the opportunity to think outside the square”

BEYOND CROCHET EXHIBITION AT ARTSPOST BY ALISON GRAY

BEYOND CROCHET AT ARTSPOST

23rd AUGUST - 23rd SEPTEMBER120 Victoria Street, Hamilton Open 10:00am - 4.30pm Daily

THE FINAL OF THE WAIKATO SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS RUGBY COMPETITION WAS AN EXCITING DISPLAY OF THE HGHS RUGBY TEAM’S SKILL, FITNESS AND DEDICATION.

HGHS won the final against Sacred Heart 53 – 0. There were outstanding performances by many of the team including Awatea Whitiora - Te Uira who scored 4 tries and Tenika Willison who helped the team along with 1 try and 4 conversions. The team remain undefeated as they won against Manurewa High School (47-0) to secure a place in the Top 4.

Good luck to the team as they head to Palmerston North next week to compete in a knockout competition.

Hamilton Girls: 53 (Awatea Whitiora 4, Ariana Hera-Herangi 2, Danielle Paenga, Tenika Willison, Manaia Willison tries; Tenika Willison 3 con, Ariana Hera-Herangi con) Sacred Heart: 0

Sports at HGHSBY ALEX RITCHIE

WHAT AN AWESOME DAY FOR HGHS ON WEDNESDAY 8TH OF AUGUST, AS THE SUN WAS OUT FOR OUR ANNUAL EXCHANGE AGAINST ROTORUA GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Premier Netball and Junior Basketball took the court first with 2 great wins with 9a Netball,

Senior Basketball 1st and 2nd XI Hockey and 1st XI Football all following suit taking out Rotorua Girls’ High School in all games.

With coaches taking the opportunity to try out new combinations and set plays we are pleased to finish the exchanges with winning all

three Auckland Girls Grammar, Tauranga Girls College, and Rotorua Girls High School We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the exchanges with coaches, umpires and TIC’s.

BY JACQUI SUTTONSPORTS CO-ORDINATOR

HGHS

354278856011

RGHS

24270051300

MVP HGHS

Savon Tovio Smith Kuhu Kihirangi- Simon Ariona IremiaKelsey HodgeStirling Walker-PitmanRaearna ParaiEiliesh Hayes

MVP RGHS

Ebony ChurchGrace Sydney MurrayBryia Bayler Moerangi VercoRilee PehuHayley Smith

SPORT

Netball JuniorNetball PremierHockey 1st XIHockey 2nd XIBasketball SeniorBasketball JuniorSoccer 1st XI

ROTORUA SPORT EXCHANGE 2013

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL KATRINA WHAANGA AND HEAD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION LYNN HODGKINSON ARE HEADING OFF TO LONDON FOR THE TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SEPTEMBER 15TH.

They qualified for this event at the NZ Triathlon Nationals in March and have been working

hard ever since to get fitter, faster, stronger and ready to take on the best in the amateur triathlon world.

They will race on the Olympic course in Hyde Park London, cycling past some of the most famous landmarks in the World (Buckingham Palace and Marble Arch), not that they will get to enjoy them during the race!

Both athletes are very excited to race and honoured to wear the Silver Fern and represent New Zealand.

They would also like to thank the staff, students and school community for their support during this endeavour.

TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The year 12 Sport and Outdoor’s class took part in the Tough Guy and Gal race in Rotorua as part of their practical assessment.

The run is a 12km off road mud run which takes in some very challenging obstacles including barb wire and electric fences. The girls did a superb job in

very tough conditions (torrential rain and hail) and we had a large number of girls pass the assessment.

A huge congratulations to Eileish Hayes for being the first HGHS student across the line, gaining an Excellence grade.

The 10 Sport classes have been learning the skills and techniques required to take part in competitive Judo competitions. They have been attending Metro Judo Club where Sensei Terry has been coaching them through the different throws and holds. The girls have shown great tenacity in completing the course to a level where they were able to compete against each other. Learning one on one combat skills and using power and speed to beat an opponent. Well done to all you girls and good luck for the competitions.

YEAR 13 FITNESS DAY

The 13 Sport and Outdoors class are currently training for a sprint distance triathlon and multisport race. Both classes have taken part in rigorous fitness tests and are now working towards improving them and completing the races to the best of their ability. It is part of their final assessments for the year and involves them racing, writing a training plan and evaluating the process. The races for the classes will be Friday 25th October for the Multisport race which is a 2.5km kayak, 15km mountain bike ride, 7km run. The sport girls will be competing in the Lake Karapiro sprint distance Triathlon on Saturday 2nd November, 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run. Good luck to all the competitors, remember to race hard, first you have to train hard!

10 SPORT JUDO

TOUGH GUY AND GAL

We are very lucky to be hosting 6 students from France again this year. They are here for 6 weeks and add a lovely dimension to our classes. This is a photo of them getting ready to sing “La Marseillaise” at the French themed dinner at the hostel. Also this term we have welcomed Lydia Chow and Janna Chow, from Hong Kong, who are spending one month with us. Marieke Nordmann and Romy Auer, both from Germany, are here until mid 2014.

Lily Duchamp (France) and Claudia de Souza (Spain) will be here for 6 weeks. It adds an extra dimension to our school community to have these students in our school.

ESOL

International Students

Above from left to right: Dorine Blondel, Anne Bouzy, Sarah Ritter, Alice Gouzer, Agathe Leclerc and Fanette Thibaut

Year 10 Esol students performed plays in class recently. From left to right: Ann Danansuriya, Linda Nguyen, Yutong Chen, Ebtihal Naas and Zahra Abbassian mourn the loss of their pet budgie.

In France, at school, the students haven’t got a personal timetable but one timetable per class (we stay all the time with the same people). The classes are composed of thirty or thirty-five students.

Here, in New Zealand, students haven’t got the same students in their class for every subject. In New Zealand, at school, the hours are the same for every day except for Fridays whereas at school in France every day is different from the others. For example some days we have nine hours at school, but on others we have only two.

In France, we don’t have girls’ school or boys’ school. There are only mixed schools. The French school is more strict than the school in New Zealand but we haven’t got a uniform.

For lunch, we have a canteen, where we sit down and eat a hot meal. We don’t have a cafeteria or sandwiches with fruit and water.

In France, when we enter the class, everybody says “Good Morning Miss” and stays standing up next to his chair and waits for the teacher to say “Sit Down”. At the end, everybody says “Goodbye Miss, see you tomorrow !”.

In France, we have lots of homework every day and tests every week ...

I wanted to go to New Zealand to improve my English, discover a new culture and make new friendships.

So, in January, I looked on the Internet to find an organisation, which organises this kind of

trip. I didn’t want to spend one year abroad, so I decided to go during my school summer holidays.

I couldn’t go to USA or Canada because they would have been on holiday too, and I wanted to go to school, because I think it’s easier to meet new people.

After that, I had to choose between two countries: Australia or New Zealand.

I have chosen New Zealand because there are beautiful landscapes, and I have read that people are very nice and

friendly. Three months later, the organisation called CEI sent me an email with the name of the school I would go to.

Soon after that, I looked to see where Hamilton was and what Hamilton Girls’ was like. I went on the website of the school, and I thought that the High School looked nice. Even if the students are only girls, and have to wear uniform.

SCHOOL IN FRANCE AND SCHOOL IN NEW ZEALAND BY DORINE BLONDEL

WHY I DECIDED TO COME TO NEW ZEALAND BY ALICE GOUZER

Careers & GatewayThis term is a busy one for Yr13 students deciding where to next. For those enrolling in tertiary study they can now start applying for courses as August generally signals the opening date for applications.

It is important the students check the closing dates for courses in particular ones requiring additional information such as portfolios, interviews, references and auditions.

These usually have an earlier closing date. All eight universities will be in school this term to assist with course planning.

Students looking at employment for next year should start to update their CV and consider work experience through volunteering as a way to increase their network contacts.

SCHOLARSHIPS - Students are still encouraged to seek out financial scholarships to assist with studying costs. www.breakout.org.nz is a scholarship database that is accessible from school that has many scholarships not specific to universities.

Students should also check each tertiary institution’s scholarship site. Assistance with any application is available from Careers staff.

Websites that could be useful:

www.careersnz.govt.nz advice on how to write a CV, plus interactive tools to help with some of those career decisions.

www.volunteeringwaikato.org.nz register for volunteer work if 16yrs.

Bonjers, Gillian GDTCSCBoulton, Louise BACameron, Paula BACox-Wright, Georgia GDTCPRCram, Aneta BACurle, Trelise GDTCPRHale, Laura BAHONSHallam, Briar CERTCPHiggs, Wendy MSCHiggs, Wendy DCPSYC

Jens, Esther BAJens, Esther BSCHONLloyd, Emily J BAMcBride Stagg, Steffi BAMorris, Joanna K. MANaidoo, Sereni BASZari, Maibritt PHDReeves, Elizabeth BBSCShea-Kelly, Joanna PGDHCWard-Duin, Gemma BDI

It is always good to celebrate success and the following students are former pupils who have graduated from Victoria University between June 2012 and May 2013:

15th Aug Auckland University – Course planning 22nd Aug AUT – Course planning 26th Aug Otago University - Information Evening30th Aug Victoria University - Open Day

31st Aug Auckland University - Open Day 6th Sept Massey University – Course planning 10th Sept Waikato University – Course planning 12th Sept Otago University – Course planning 24th Sept Canterbury University - Course planning 22nd Oct Studylink – Loan and Allowance applications

KEY DATES

Over the term two holidays I spent a week out on the coast on a sheep and beef farm as part of the Gateway programme.

I helped with many jobs such as drenching lambs and sheep, working with a team of dogs and herding cattle from amongst the sand dunes. Working with Tony has been a real privilege.

The best part of this experience was gaining new skills and gaining an insight into an area of study and work.

Participating in the Gateway programme has made me certain of what I’d like to do in the future.

This year I had the amazing opportunity to participate in a gateway program which allows me to get some work experience at a café called “Milk and Honey”.

I am extremely lucky to be able to work with the barista Liam and Laura every Tuesday from 9am until 2pm until I have completed 80 hours of unpaid work.

We work so closely together in the same kitchen space so we got to know each other quite well, gaining new friendships as well as all the knowledge about the hospitality and food and safety industry.

I have gained so many new skills and learned so much already that I didn’t even think you needed to know to work in a café, it opened my eyes up to a whole other world.

This is something that I really enjoy doing and I urge anyone who is interested in taking up a career in the hospitality area to do this; you will without a doubt benefit from it.

TATIANA FITZSIMONS AT MILK AND HONEY

ANNA KEIGHLEY AT BLACKSANDS SHEEP FARM

e-learningCURRENT SITUATION AT HGHS: Students are encouraged to bring their own devices to school and use them in the classroom. We have a sophisticated wireless network which will only improve after the School Network Upgrade Project is completed in September this year.

One Year 9 class has trialed bring your own devices and their English and Social Studies teachers have worked with the students. Our teachers have completed five years of professional development offered to them to up-skill their e-learning capabilities.

We recently invited Year 9 parents to give us feedback on their thoughts about BYOD. We thank those who took the time to respond. The findings of the survey are below.

FINDINGS:

• 97% said their daughter had access to a mobile device at home.

• 58% said their daughter spent 1-3 hours on a device (laptop, computer, tablet, chromebook, netbook) at home each day.

• 25% said their daughters spent more than 3 hours a day on a device at home each day.

• 48% said their daughter had a device she could bring to school now.

These devices included: laptop (23%), tablet (19%), ipad (3%) and netbook (6%).

• When asked what mobile device you would prefer your daughter to use to access the internet at school for her learning, the

following responses were noted: laptop - 52%; ipad - 32%; tablet - 32% and 23% were unsure and would like recommendations

from the school. Note: people could select more than one device. Interestingly the Digital Horizons group (committed elearning

teachers) mirrored the same preferences.

• Parents were given approximate costings for devices.

THE RESULTS ARE BELOW:

ch

BY KATHY PATERSON

While 81% supported BYOD, 97% said their daughter would be able to access the internet from home if she had her own device. We want students to be confident, connected, lifelong learners and BYOD can make a positive difference for students.

The parents were also asked to share comments, suggestions and raised the following:• How can everyone afford a device?• How would they be safely stored at school? What locker facilities would be provided?• How would cybersafety issues be addressed?

“I consider this to be a positive step HGHS could make regarding the girls learning. My children have been a part of a school which has laptop options and the learning is richer as a result as well as information needed for learning is instant. The laptop is used in all curriculum areas of their learning hence showing them multiple ways of being able to use this technology.” (Parent feedback)

We have considered these comments in our planning and have already taken steps to be able to provide a small number of students with a device at school. If you know of anyone who could provide sponsorship for some devices please contact the school – we welcome any ideas. The internet has monitoring software which many NZ schools use. BYOD is one way we can bring the student learning into the home and share in the richness it provides.

How many teenagers do you know who don’t have: a facebook page, a cellphone; and txt incessantly? This is their world. When did you last use google to find out something?

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FROM RETHINKING EDUCATION IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY BY COLLINS AND HALVERSON (pg. 30).

• From a principal’s publication in 1815: “Students today depend on paper too much. They don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?”

• From the journal of the National Association of Teachers, 1907: “Students today depend too much upon ink. They don’t know how to use a pen knife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil.”

• From Rural American Teacher, 1928: “Students today depend upon store bought ink. They don’t know how to make their own. When they run out of ink they will be unable to write words or ciphers until their next trip to the settlement. This is a sad commentary on modern education.”

• From Federal Teachers, 1950: “Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The American values of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Businesses and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.”

• From a science fair judge in Apple Classroom of Tomorrow chronicles, 1988: “Computers give students an unfair advantage. Therefore, students who used computers to analyze data or create displays will be eliminated from the science fair.”

BY KATHY PATERSON

NZQA Issues and Fees

Key NZQA Dates Last Date to Withdraw from Internal Standard

Unless you have been given an adequate assessment opportunity

School’s deadline – 22nd November 2013

External Admission Slips Should be given them by 21st October 2013 NCEA and Scholarship Examinations Start 11th November 2013

NZQA Fees were due to the Finance Office by the 28th June 2013 Unpaid NZQA fees are now overdue. If these fees are not paid before the school has to send the money to NZQA, then:

- NZQA will withhold your daughter’s results at the end of the year. This means they will not receive their results and certificates from NZQA. It will also mean for Year 13 students that they cannot enter University as they will have no results to prove that they are eligible for entry.

- Also, NZQA will charge a late fee $50 on top of the standard fee. This will bring the total fee up to $126.70.

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

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

Financial Assistance To 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) To apply: Complete the “Application for Financial Assistance” form. This can be obtained from the Student Finance Office. 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

Once the Financial Assistance Application has been approved the fee will be reduced. MONITORING YOUR RESULTS: Students can check and monitor their results directly on the NZQA website using the learner login facility. To use Learner Login, a student needs to register, if they have not already done so, then they should:

1. Go to the NZQA website at nzqa.govt.nz 2. Click on the “Login” link in the top right hand corner of the NZQA homepage 3. Click on the “Login” link in the blue background beside “Students & learners” 4. Then follow the instructions on screen.

Assessment Procedures The school’s assessment procedures are entitled NZQA INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES for Senior Students for 2013. This document is contained on the school’s website (www.hghs.school.nz) under Curriculum, scroll down to NZQA Information and Assessment Procedures and click on HGHS Senior Students 2013 Senior students are expected to read the school’s assessment procedures. Course Endorsement Students will be able to have their strengths in individual courses recognised with a course endorsement at Merit or Excellence. Students will gain an endorsement for a course where they achieve:

1. 14 or more credits at Merit or Excellence at the lower level that supports the endorsement 2. at least 3 credits from externally assessed standards and 3 credits from internally assessed

standards (Physical Education, Religious Studies and level 3 Visual Arts will be exempt from this) 3. sufficient credits in a single school year.

Certificate Endorsement Students studying for NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3 certificates will be able to achieve these qualifications with Merit or Excellence endorsements.

1. Merit endorsement = 50 credits at Merit (or Excellence) at the same level, or higher. 2. Excellence endorsement = 50 credits at Excellence at the same level, or higher. 3. Credits can be accumulated over more than one year for the purposes of certificate endorsement. 4. In any one year a learner will be awarded an endorsed certificate only at the highest level of

endorsement recognised that year except when a learner has achieved two or three NCEA qualifications in a single year.

School contact Mr Mitchell is the NZQA Liaison Person at the school You can contact him by:

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

Principal’s Nominee PO Box 4082 Hamilton

MONDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER

TUESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBERFRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER

SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBERTUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBERTHURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER

TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER

THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBERSATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBERMONDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER

TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBERWEDNESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBERTHURSDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER

FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER

MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER

Health & Safety Course (ends 4 Sept)Winter Tournament Week (ends 8 Sept)Year 9 Jump Rope10X F/T to Waikato UniHostel Set Leave (ends 8 Sept)Mufti Can DriveGirls and Boys High Talent QuestOption Evening 2014 Year 12-13Option Evening 2014 Year 10-11KINGITANGA DAYTKA Camp 3 (ends 14 Sept)MCAT Level 1 MathsAtrium Recital SeriesBOT Board MeetingSCHOOL BALLYear 9 Starlab (ends 25 Sept)Young Singers in Harmony (ends 24 Sept)1ART Assessment DayYear 11-12 ENG Speech Competition2ART Assessment DayBlood Service VisitSENIOR AWARDS ASSEMBLYSENIOR REPORTS HANDED OUTNZSS Basketball

Key Dates for September