16 March 2017 : Issue # 2

NEWSLETTER

Greetings to you all | Tena koutou katoa Since the last newsletter, many significant events have occurred and many more planned for the next few weeks. Please see upcoming events below. Huntly College is officially 64 years young. Student life is vastly different when compared to the early 50’s. In this newsletter many opportunities are highlighted. 2017 will be another exciting year for students. Staffing News Whaea Rachael Parker was officially welcomed at a Powhiri held on 15 March. Attended by members of her whanau and Morrisville College. Rachael is officially appointed as Deputy Principal. We also welcome Miss. Sharon Kiely to the staff as Deputy Principal she will join us in Term 2. Currently employed by Albany Senior High School, we look forward to her arrival. Mrs Curle will resign from her role as Deputy Principal however remaining on the staff. We also welcome Whaea Taylah Treadwell who will be teaching Media Arts. Whaea Rachael Parker is Acting Deputy Principal during Term 1. Mr Christopher Pyle is relieving for Term 1 teaching Physics and Mathematics until Mr Salvindra Pillay begins in Term 2. Student News Nau mai ki nga akonga hou katoa | welcome to all our new students. The official Powhiri held for all new students in February. All Year 9 students have written a letter to their parents / caregivers as well as to their primary school. The letter is a very brief description of their experiences at Huntly College so far A special welcome to our three International Students, Molina and Molika from Cambodia and Jason from Shanghai, China pictured on front page. The College roll is currently 325 students and with many seniors returning as Year 12 and 13, this is most encouraging. Attending school for many students can be a real challenge. I encourage all parents / caregivers to discuss the options we can offer. For example, attending 1-day per week learning Whakairo (Carving) is offered to students in Level 1 Trades, Primary Industry students attend 2-days per week off site: Wintec offer 1-day per week courses to more than 20 students presently. These are just three examples of how we are trying to meet the needs of students. Achievement I am pleased to announce that in 2016, the Level 2 NCEA data is above national average. A huge thanks to all the staff who have worked to make this possible.

These are the 2016 results compared to similar NZ schools. Māori student data in brackets:

A few changes this year including compulsory uniform for all students, weekly professional development time for staff meaning College opens at 9.30am on Wednesday, a Level 2 Hospitality and Tourism Academy and a 6-day timetable, sports cultural electives for all students on Monday afternoons for the next 4 weeks. This is an opportunity for all students to get involved in a co-curricula activity of their choice. The 1-page College Strategic Plan is included with this newsletter and further copies are available on request from the Office.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Achieved NCEA Huntly College % pass rate

Similar schools in New Zealand

Year 11 Level 1 67 (61) 75 (71)

Year 12 Level 2 87 (93) 83 (93)

Year 13 Level 3 67 (55) 74 (73)

KEY DATES

Term Dates for 2017

Term 1 1 February—13 April

Term 2 1 May—7 July

Term 3 24 July—29 September

Term 4 16 October—13 December

Term 1, 2017

Thursday 16 March (Note Date Change) High Achievers’ Evening

Tuesday 21 March High Achievers’ Assembly

Wednesday 22 March Welcome back RAVE

Thursday 23—Friday 24 March Year 9, Te Awa—Te Ohaaki Marae

Friday 24 March Auckland University Visit

Monday 27—Friday 31 March National Secondary School Waka Ama Championships—Tikitapu—Blue Lake, Rotorua

Tuesday 4 April Octathlon Day

Thursday 6 April Canterbury University Visit

Friday 7 April Octathlon Finals

Monday 10 April Board of Trustees Meeting

Monday 10 — Thursday 13 April Services Academy—Basic Leadership Course

Tuesday 11 April Cultural Day

Thursday 13 April—Last Day of Term 1

As always, our core business is learning. Huntly College is a place of learning. Learning however does not only occur while at school. Learning happens everywhere and all the time, hence you as parents / caregivers are essential. I encourage you to get more involved with your child in their learning. As simple as asking them what are they learning at College or meeting their teachers to find out how you can help further. The College will keep you updated with newsletters, website, newspaper articles, celebrating achievement, letters and phone calls.

Finances and costs: At this time of year, many parents are feeling the pressure: Purchase of uniform, stationery and other related course costs. I encourage all parents to consider setting up an automatic payment to ease this pressure. A student in Year 9 for example may cost you as much as $500 this year. Year 9 camp, not including the Waitangi Trip, may cost as much as $60, full school uniform may cost more than $300, black shoes can be more than $100, books may cost $25 or more, trips and activities offered are often subsidised however they will still cost you.

Food, Lunches and Canteen: We offer a range of healthy food options to students at College. Students are not permitted to leave school grounds at any time during the school day. The Canteen is open only at break times.

Security and belongings: The College cannot be responsible for student’s personal property. Lockers are available for students. Alternatively, personal property can be handed into the Office before school for safe keeping.

Uniform: The rules are simple and must be followed. Do not wear incorrect uniform. Senior Uniform is compulsory for students in Year 12 and 13. Students have been given a period of grace to get this matter sorted. Incorrect uniform will result in students being sent home to get it right.

International students: we welcome to Huntly: Jason, Year 10 from Shanghai, China, Molena and Molika, both Year 12 from Cambodia. If you are interested in hosting an International Student, please make an appointment to see Mrs Farmer, International Student Coordinator.

Sport: For more information, please ring the Sports Coordinator, Matua Rewi Cork. Waka Ama, Basketball, Softball, Hockey and Netball are all offered as regular team sports. Students must register and pay the fee to guarantee a place in the team.

Services Academy Having successfully completed the 12-day Induction Course at Waiouru Military Army Base, the Academy shown below proudly showing their course completion certificates. Most Improved: Hemi Turner-Hook Top Student: Makuini Robust

Tim Foy—Principal

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

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Student Councillors 2017 Congratulations to the newly appointed Student Councillors. Pictured right, missing China and Shyann Timo.

Student Councillors: Toni Comins Tracy Marunui Nerida Bateup Trinity Whyte Hannah Ussher Rajnil Prasad Jessica Tischendorf Victoria Whyte China Timo Shyann Timo

GENERAL INFORMATION

LIBRARY NEWS... Huntly College have embraced the digital age in Library books by joining Wheelers eplatform. This will allow our students and staff access to 1250 of the latest and most popular ebooks. This means you can borrow or return a book with just a click of a button as well as read anywhere, anytime. Once downloaded you can even read offline without an internet connection. It is simple to use and they are able to change the settings to apply a different print size, font, line spacing or apply a colour to the page which pleases the eye. This is particularly helpful for those with dyslexia. They are able to read on computers, laptops, and most other mobile devices. The free wheelers eplatform App makes It easy to borrow and read eBooks on your IPad, IPhone, Android phone, Tablet or Windows 8 device.

Download the App, then find our Library (Huntly College)

Students/staff sign in using their school username and password, browse the books and you are ready to borrow.

To read eBooks on a computer or laptop you can use your web browser to read titles online or offline, through the eplatform website.

Kobo, Sony or Nook ereaders - Adobe digital edition is required. Or visit us at: http://huntlycollege.wheelers.co/ using your computer or laptop and sign in as per above .

I am trying another way to engage our students in reading. These are QR codes. If your child has a phone, they are able to download a “QR Code reader” App. Open the App and it should show a small frame, point the camera at the QR code and centre it, then gradually move it forward or backwards until it comes up with the webpage. Click OK to go to it. Once it scans the code it will take you to the URL for that QR code. For these ones it will give you a snippet of what the book is about. Please encourage your child to try it, if they like the preview encourage them to get the book out.

Just Listen Charlottes Web Lemony Snickett Bones to Ashes Renaissance/Assassins Creed Encourage your child to give it a go. Happy reading everyone! Janet Bate—Librarian

Kia Ora from Betty — School Guidance

Counsellor

For those of you who are new to the kura – a big

welcome. You will be experiencing changes – some

exciting and some maybe a bit worrying! That’s where I

can be a helpful person to chat with – the worrying issue

may not be solved but talking about something definitely

dilutes it and that’s gotta be a helpful start! I am at school

three days a week – Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I’m based in F Block opposite the Graphics classroom.

Appointments can be made to see me through the

Student Office, teachers, or dropping in to see me in

person. All conversations with me are confidential unless

there are safety concerns. In these types of situations I

will always attempt to discuss with you first, the next step.

I’m also involved in other activities around the school –

the SADD group, Student Champions (you’ll hear more

about these groups as the year goes on), and Brunch

Club. I also run a “uniform cupboard” where you can

access school uniform items if you’re really in need! I also

co-ordinate the Teen Parent Pilot Programme. If you are

interested in knowing more about this initiative, feel free

to give me a ring. I can be contacted through the school.

Just a reminder – we have an AOD (Alcohol and Other

Drugs) Educator / Counsellor on site each Thursday. His

name is Jason Hansen. He’s a good guy to chat with

about drug matters. Come see me and I’ll book you in.

Parents – you are always welcome to come have a chat

with me about my role in the school and any concerns

you might have about your young person.

In the meantime live well - and do drop in and see me.

Kia kaha

Whaea Betty

GENERAL INFORMATION

Student Achievement Congratulations to the following students in receiving certificates for demonstrating Respect, Responsibility and

Safety—Sam Richards, Seth Airey-Granger, Nicole Andrews, Toni Comins, Mikayla Dickinson, Niki Muru-

King, Ahi Nusipepa, Lisa Reisima, Te Hau Robinson, Kody Ryder, Zak Saadeyah, Sky Taylor-Eynon,

Marshall Thomas, Micaela Tischendorf, Shakur Tupe-Tumohe, Emily Ussher, and Rita Wilson.

GENERAL INFORMATION

WILLS Leadership Day On Thursday the 23rd of February Liam Loveridge and

myself as Head Students and two other Student Leaders

Phoebe Comins and Makuini Robust were given the

opportunity to attend a leadership day based at Waikato

University. The day was a chance to meet Head students

from other schools and discuss possible situations that could

occur throughout the year. The day allowed us as Student

Leaders to develop our current knowledge about leadership

styles, motivating others, and ways that we can approach the

year ahead within our roles. All these were taught by leaders

within the University who are on the Sir Edmund Hillary

Scholarship. Just one of the messages we took away from

the day was that adding value to your school as a leader isn’t

about changing to fit the role it is about taking the role and

adding your unique spin to it. Overall we all enjoyed the day,

meeting new people and developing our leadership skills.

Pirongia SOEA Camp

On the 21st-23

rd Feb our Academy (SOEA), Sarge and

Whaea Treadwell went to Pirongia to experience the

outdoors, hiking and camping. The whole three days we

camped at Kaniwhaniwha campsite.

When we arrived, we pitched our tents and unpacked

everything. It was very hot after working so we went

down to the stream for a wash. The stream was so nice,

it was beautiful and relaxing. “A stream is something I

want to live by.”

Alpha section prepared our dinner which was pasta and

mince, while Bravo section went to gather wood for the

fire. We lit a fire and had dinner and a debrief of the day.

When it got dark we went on a night hike. I like walking

through the glow worm cave, “they were so beautiful.”

We got back to camp and Alpha section made a milo and we had biscuits. Then we played games of red light in the

bush, “it was really cool.”

The next morning Sarge was by the fire playing the ukulele. We had breakfast and drove to Cochrane Rd to begin

our hike. “We hiked through mud, slipped on rocks, tripped over vines and when we hit the top we were in the

clouds.” The clouds cleared while we were there, “it was the best view I have ever seen.” “The hike was very hard

but our peers pushed us. We had rests along the way, but we worked really hard and we all made it to the top.” At

the top we took this photo and one of our tasks was to cook our own lunch. It wasn’t that great, the food was dated,

but Sarge said food was fuel for the body so we ate it.

We met other hikes on our return to camp. We cleaned up and Bravo cooked dinner sausages and tomatoes and

cucumber. We had our debrief by the fire and played so more games and went to bed.

The next day we packed up and came home. “Over the course of these three days I found our class becoming somewhat of a family. We all bonded and came back home feeling more comfortable around each other.” “Pirongia camp was the best, I had so much fun it was amazing! Relaxing next to the fire eating together was such a good feeling.” “Sarge is so amazing to go on camps with, he is so organized.”

GENERAL INFORMATION

From the Desk of Whaea Parker, Deputy Principal…

Elective Programme—Huntly College 2017 Students at Huntly College will be taking part in an Elective Programme which begins on Monday 20 March for 4 weeks until Monday 10 April. Students have been asked to select an activity e.g. Athletics, Kapa Haka, Waka Ama, Golf, Learn to swim, Photography, Kite building and flying, Minecraft and many other activities. These activities will start at 2pm until 3.05pm. There will be a small cost for some of the activities due to materials used and cost of transport. A notice will be sent out with students on Friday 17 March with more details. Any queries or concerns please contact Whaea Parker at school.

Uniform School regulations state that students have the option to wear a plain navy or black hat. Any hat that does not meet this description will be confiscated. Hoodies are not part of school uniform therefore are not to be worn to school. Once again these items will be confiscated. Any families needing support with uniform items please contact me.

Attendance If your child is absent from school please ring the College Office and explain the reason for their absence. Attendance will be followed up by your child’s Form Teacher. Any issues in regards to your child’s attendance will then be referred on to their Year Level Dean.

From the Desk of Rosemary Curle, Deputy Principal…

High Achievers Assembly - Tuesday 21 March 2017:

Time: 10.50am for a 11.00am start

Venue: Huntly College Hall

Students who have achieved their NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3 will be recognised at this Assembly.

Whanau, parents and caregivers are invited to join us to celebrate the success of their students.

Students being recognised will receive an official invitation from school.

Our staff invite whanau and students who have been recognised to join them in the Staffroom for refreshments at the end of the Assembly.

Senior Students’ Self-directed Learning - Wednesday 22 March 2017:

We have a large group of staff, in Hamilton, involved in training with PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning). To accommodate this, there will be no Level 3 classes running. These students will be on ‘Study Leave’.

NZQA Fees:

All students studying for their NCEA are required to pay a NZQA fee

to receive recognition for their achievements.

Fee Structure for 2017:

We welcome parents/whanau to set up an ‘Automatic Payment’ to spread payments over the entire year. For further information, please make contact with our College Office.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact:

Mrs Rosemary Curle (07 828 7152 ext 806)

Special Assessment Conditions for NCEA Assessments

Your student may be eligible for special assistance (reader/writer/extra time/breaks) during NCEA assessments. Conditions that may be considered include: diabetes, dyslexia, poor vision, autism, anxiety to name a few. Medical or clinical evidence and confirmation will be required. If you believe your child may fit the criteria, please make urgent contact with me.

Many thanks for assisting us to support your student.

Seeking Clarity on NCEA? – Information for Parents

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/for-parents/index.html

This website will provide you with extremely useful information.

As a parent of an NCEA candidate, you may have your own questions about the NCEA qualifications. You may want to know:

What is meant by standards based assessment? What are the NCEA requirements? How do they enter for the qualifications? My children are thinking about going to University, what are the University Entrance requirements? What can I do to help my children with their study? Where can I find the external exams timetable? What will the results look like, and what do the result notices mean?

Eligible for benefit-based

or income-based assistance

Not eligible for benefit-based or income-based assistance

One child who is a candidate

$20.00 Full fee - $76.60

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 per child and $200.00 per fee payer.

GENERAL INFORMATION

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

HUNTLY COLLEGE PO Box 151

Bridge Street, Huntly 3740 Ph. 07 828 7152

Fax: 07 828 7153 Website: www.huntlycollege.school.nz

You can now follow us on Facebook

News from the Nurse: Whanau please be aware that we are seeing some cases of scabies at the kura and it is definitely out in the community at the moment. Please feel free to come and see the School Nurse (Mon, Wed, Fri) or Doctor (Monday mornings) if you have any concerns or itchy rashes.

Scabies

The scabies rash looks like small blisters surrounded by red patches. Scabies mites are very tiny – the size of a pinhead – so they can be very hard to see. Anyone can get scabies – even the cleanest people. Scabies spreads easily between family members and friends. It is spread by skin contact, and by sharing clothing and bedding. For this reason, it's more common when you have lots of people living together in close contact. Treatment involves applying a special lotion or cream and washing all bedding and clothing in hot water. Please see the Nurse if you need any more info.

Scabies is a skin infection that is caused by tiny insects (mites) which burrow under

your skin, causing a very itchy rash.