Rotorua Girls' High School

PROSPECTUS 2011

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Rotorua Girls’ High School is a vibrant school with a place for every young woman.

Our school philosophy of individual excellence in all aspects of education encourages each student to achieve her potential.

Our junior school offers over 20 different subjects in year 9, before focussing on specific subjects in year 10. During both years, students’ standards in literacy and numeracy are individually monitored to ensure success for all.

In their senior years, girls are individually supported to succeed academically, culturally, in sports and in leadership. Our focus on preparing our girls for a global society is based upon the now internationally recognised National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA).

NCEA enables students to access qualifications that are relevant to their individual skills and aspirations.Our school leaver and tertiary scholarship statistics are a testimony to our success.

Within this positive and unique environment your daughter will flourish and grow into an empowered young woman.

Read on to find out more about Rotorua Girls’ High School and then come and see for yourself.

Welcome to our world where every girl counts.

Annette JoycePrincipal

I have always valued education, both as a teacher and as a parent. I believe that as a partnership, we can offer and challenge our children to reach their potential. We provide them with a strong foundation from which they can make choices beyond school.

I have been a parent representative on the Rotorua Girls’ High School Board of Trustees for the past two years. As a board, we support the development of programmes and facilities within the school to offer improved opportunities for the students.

Kathy O’Donnell Chairperson – Rotorua Girls’ High School Board of Trustees (parent representative)

Welcome...

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In 2009 our girls were awarded more level one, two and three NCEA certificates than any other Rotorua school.

The Education Review Office (ERO) lists us as in the top 5% of schools nationwide and awarded us a five year tick.

We gained more female university entrance certificates than any other Rotorua school in 2009.

Our level one NCEA numeracy pass rate is 97% – 17% above the national average. Our level one NCEA Literacy has an 81% pass rate.

Our students were awarded 13 scholarships for tertiary study in 2010, including places at Auckland, Waikato, Massey and Victoria Universities, AUT and Waiariki Institute of Technology.

In 2010 students were awarded Sir Howard Morrison Scholarships, Rotorua District Council Role Model Scholarships and a Rotorua District Community Award.

Students can apply for Jubilee Scholarships, awarded to girls entering years nine and eleven, in recognition of outstanding academic, cultural, performing arts and sporting achievement. Recipients receive financial remuneration over a period of two years.

‘A high quality education, individualised support where needed, flexibility and the instillation of a belief in one’s capacity to succeed.’

Professor Jane E. Harding ONZM MBChB DPhil FRACP FRSNZVice-Chancellor (Research), Auckland University.Graduated Rotorua Girls’ High School 1972 (Dux).

Jane studied at Auckland University, Oxford in the United Kingdom and achieved a post-doctoral Fogarty Fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco, USA. In 2000 she was recognised as New Zealander of the year for her outstanding neo-natal research.

Academic achievement and opportunities...

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Sport is considered an essential component for the development of all girls. Fifty different sports are offered at Rotorua Girls’ High School – the widest range of school sports available in the Bay of Plenty.

In 2009 we were named the top Bay of Plenty school for student participation in sport.

We also achieved the following rankings in 2009:

Top under 19 Waka Ama team in the world.•

Top secondary school netball team in the Bay of Plenty.•

Top secondary school basketball team in the • Bay of Plenty.

Top secondary school junior table tennis team in the • Bay of Plenty.

Top secondary school badminton team in the Bay of • Plenty and Hawke’s Bay.

In 2010 we have international representatives in nine sports:

Pam Purdie – BasketballDayna McGregor – VolleyballLyddia Moke – NetballShannon O’Donnell – Barefoot water skiingSarah Davis – RodeoMoerangi Vercoe – BasketballElizabeth Randle – ArcheryDerrin Whata – Outrigger canoe Rebecca Eparaima – Outrigger canoe

Individuals and teams from Rotorua Girls’ High School are represented at local, regional, national and international level.

Sporting achievement and opportunities...

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Rotorua Girls’ High School has won the regional Stage Challenge three times and came runner-up in 2010.

With Rotorua Boys’ High School, we won the regional Secondary Schools’ Kapa Haka Competition in 2009 and came second at the national championship in 2010.

We’ve won the Rotorua Great Debate for the past three years.

Our student, Te Waikamihi Ormsby-Korohina, performs internationally and is currently tutored by Dame Malvina Major.

Students have the opportunity to study dance, drama and Maori performing arts and music. They can also join the choir, Maori choir and orchestra.

School productions are held each year with Rotorua Boys’ High School. Fame, Grease and the Wedding Singer are some of our most recent shows.

Girls participate in the annual Rotorua Wearable Creations ‘n Colour Awards show.

Arts and cultural achievement and opportunities...

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To promote individual excellence whilst fostering all-round development.•

To encourage a lifelong love of learning and an inquiring attitude.•

To provide appropriate learning programmes for all students so they can experience success.•

To provide a broad-based education as a foundation for later specialisation.•

To encourage participation in a variety of cultural and sporting pursuits.•

To uphold the school’s commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and biculturalism.•

To foster and promote the values of cooperation, self-discipline, honesty, tolerance, respect for others • and respect for the environment.

To foster creative and sporting talents and leadership abilities.•

To value and build on the school’s tradition.•

To develop cross-curricular skills in problem-solving, decision-making and change management.•

To prepare students for participation in a technological and changing society.•

Our values...

Respect for oneself, respect for others and respect for the environment.

Each student at Rotorua Girls’ High School will attain academic, cultural and social goals, which truly reflect individual capabilities and interests, and maximise her future choices. On leaving school, each student will value herself positively as a woman and will possess the potential to enhance the status of women in society.

Our mission...

Our goals...

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Our school charter and strategic plan...

‘At Rotorua Girls’ High School, my daughters gained the opportunity to develop their skills and talents to excel academically within their subjects of choice. They reaped the benefits of becoming actively engaged in various sports, arts, drama and extracurricular pursuits. The education they received at Rotorua Girls’ High School has enabled them to pursue their chosen careers overseas. My eldest daughter has a law degree and works in the New York fashion industry as a public relations manager. My second daughter gained a Masters Degree in Fine Arts at Elam in Auckland. She works in Europe as a writer for the NZ and US Art forums. My youngest daughter graduated with a BSc in Psychology and works for Morgan Stanley investment bank in London. Her interests in wine and cuisine have also resulted in her attending the Jamie Oliver School of Cooking in London.’

Katrina AllisonFormer RGHS parent

Every school is required to have a charter, which is in essence a contract with the Ministry of Education and community to deliver educational outcomes.

The strategic plan is a longer term plan that the Board of Trustees approves and monitors.

The Rotorua Girls’ High School Strategic Plan 2010-2012 integrates the following student learning priorities:

Increasing achievement of all students, with special emphasis on Maori and Pasifica students at NCEA • levels one, two and three.

Improving literacy and numeracy levels of all students.•

Improving school attendance.•

Rotorua Girls’ High School aims to achieve its mission and goals laid out in the strategic plan by focusing on excellent:

Curriculum and programmes•

Pastoral care•

Image•

Communication•

Facilities•

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Opportunities for all girls...

YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (YEAR 11) LEVEL 2 (YEAR 12) LEVEL 3 (YEAR 13)

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, COMPUTING AND CAREERS (Head of Faculty: Kevin Heitia)

Business Enterprise

Information and Communication Technology

Business Enterprise

Business Technology

Digital Media Technology

AccountingEconomicsComputing 1

Legal StudiesEmployment Skills (Multi)

Young Enterprise Scheme (YES)

AccountingEconomicsComputing 1

Multi-mediaLegal StudiesCareer Development 1 (Multi)Individual Senior Programme (Multi)

Young Enterprise Scheme (YES)

Accounting EconomicsComputing Multi-mediaLegal Studies Career Development 2 (Multi)Individual Senior Programme(Multi)


LANGUAGES (Head of Faculty: Susan Grimm)

FrenchGermanJapaneseEnglish for Speakersof Other LanguagesChinese

FrenchGermanJapaneseEnglish for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL 1)



FrenchGermanJapaneseEnglish for Speakers of Other LanguagesChinese


MARAUTANGA (Head of Faculty: Laurelle Tamati)

Maori Performing Arts

Te Reo Maori


Te Reo Maori


Te Reo Maori

Maori Performing Arts (Level 4)Te Reo Maori**The opportunity to sit University Te Reo papersif students gain Level 3 before Year 13


Te Reo Maori


ENGLISH AND DRAMA (Head of Faculty: Jackie Smith)

DramaEnglish

Literacy Enrichment

DramaEnglish Option AEnglish Option BEnglish Combination

English - Media Integrated Studies

DramaEnglish Option AEnglish Option BMedia Studies


DramaEnglish Option AEnglish Option BMedia Studies


DramaEnglish

Literacy Enrichment


HUMANITIES (Head of Faculty: Jacqui Tyrrell)

Social Studies GeographyGeography Aotearoa

HistorySociologyPsychology

Geography

HistorySociologyPsychologyClassical StudiesTourism

Geography

HistorySociologyPsychologyClassical StudiesTourism

Social Studies


MATHEMATICS (Head of Faculty: Kate Staniford)

Mathematics Mathematics (Option A)

Mathematics (Option B)

Mathematics Numeracy

Mathematics (Option A)

Mathematics (Option B)

Mathematics U.E. Numeracy

Mathematics with Calculus

Mathematics with Statistics

Mathematics

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Junior students...In the junior school, students are placed in a class with girls of similar ability to themselves. They attend all lessons with this class and follow a core curriculum programme in year nine. Students in year 10 follow a core curriculum programme and can select three options as they work towards some NCEA level one credits.

Senior students...Senior students can choose from an extensive range of courses leading to credits at NCEA level one, two, three and four. Options include hair and beauty from year 10, tourism and adventure tourism, dance to level three, music and the music industry, sports and recreation, career development and employment skills. The Individual Senior Programme (ISP) and Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) programme are offered in year 12 and 13 for qualifications in retail, horticulture, automotive, equine and childcare industries.

Gifted students...Gifted and Talented Education students (GATE) are identified during the enrolment process and during their time at Rotorua Girls’ High School. They are mentored and coached to embrace academic, cultural, sporting, performing arts and leadership opportunities.

Accelerate students...Accelerate students follow an enrichment programme. They are encouraged to sit external international examinations for science, maths, social studies and languages. Year 9 and year 10 accelerate students attend problem solving and leadership field trips.

Support for students...Learning support is given to students with learning difficulties. Toe by Toe and PPP (Pause, Prompt, Praise) are two strategies used to enhance literacy achievement and to generate confidence in students.

Foreign language students...English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are available to girls from non-English speaking backgrounds. Students can study towards ESOL unit standards at NCEA level two or three.


TECHNOLOGY AND ART (Head of Faculty: Greg Brooks)

Food & Hospitality

GraphicsFashion & Textiles TechnologyDesign Technology

Visual Art

Food & Hospitality

GraphicsFashion & Textiles TechnologyDesign TechnologyHair & BeautyArt

Food & Hospitality

GraphicsFashion & Textiles TechnologyDesign TechnologyHair & BeautyArt

Food & HospitalityDesignGraphicsFashion & Textiles TechnologyDesign Technology

Painting

Food & HospitalityDesignGraphicsFashion & Textiles Technology Design Technology (Multi)PaintingPhotography


PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH, DANCE AND MUSIC (Head of Faculty: Carolyn Katu)

MusicDance

Phys Ed & Health

MusicDance

Sports PerformancePhys Ed & Health

Music & Music IndustryDance

Sport & RecreationPhys EdHealthModular Studies


Phys EdHealthModular StudiesAdventure Tourism


Phys EdHealth


SCIENCE (Head of Faculty: Jo Ecroyd)

Science Science Science ChemistryBiologyPhysicsEnvironmental Science

ChemistryBiologyPhysics

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Pastoral care for students is provided by the principal, deputy principals, deans, director of Maori achievement, whanau and subject teachers, guidance counsellor and support staff.

The total wellbeing of all students is paramount. Our on-site wellness centre offers students confidential advice from the centre co-ordinator, guidance counsellor, visiting GPs, drug and alcohol counsellors, a public health nurse or the on-site attendence support officer.

The before school ‘brekkie club’ provides breakfast free of charge to all students.

Careers advice is readily available. We have over 70 Gateway opportunities for students to test career choices and gain knowledge of employers’ expectations before leaving school. This helps develop confidence and communication skills by learning in an adult environment.

Year 9 students are buddied with year 13 students during their first term. This peer support programme helps students with the transition into secondary school.

Report evenings and whanau hui are regularly held to give parents the opportunity to discuss their daughter’s progress with individual subject teachers.

Rotorua Girls’ High School supplements some of its courses by working with a range of outside providers. We also cater for alternative education, disabled students and operate the Rotorua School for Young Parents.

Pastoral care...

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To encourage team building and friendly competition, Rotorua Girls’ High School has four sports houses named after strong Maori women – Hinemoa (red), Karenga (blue), Rangiuru (green) and Rukuwai (yellow).

House captains and deputies are elected by students and weekly lunchtime inter-house sports competitions take place throughout the year.

Annual swimming sports, athletics and haka days are the pinnacles of house sports. Girls dress head to toe in their house colour for a day of fierce competition.

School spirit...

‘I gained the passion and drive to live my life with no boundaries. I was exposed to an environment in which I could excel with the guidance, knowledge and nourishment of my fellow student sisters, teachers and supporting staff. With the many great and truly educational experiences thatI gained from Rotorua Girls’ High School, I was ready to venture out into the big wide world as an empowered young woman.’

Taki Te KoiGraduated Rotorua Girls’ High School 2007

Taki is completing a biology degree at the Dominican University of California in San Francisco, USA. Currently playing in the US college basketball league, Taki also aims to represent New Zealand in the Tall Ferns.

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Our girls participate in performances and productions with Rotorua Boys’ High School and meetat social events.

Joint school production•

Joint school socials and senior balls•

Inter school debating competition•

Joint jazz evening•

Cultural talent quest•

Raukura kapa haka group •

Co-ed interaction...

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There are many opportunities for students to broaden and enhance their education through regular local, national and international field trips.

We offer international exchange opportunities with our sister schools in Cornwall, United Kingdom, Melbourne, Australia and the Taiyuan Number 2 Language School in China.

Rotorua Girls’ High School works with international exchange groups such as AFS, who offer year-long exchanges.

Students take international trips as part of their course study, including trips to Hawaii (Geography), New Caledonia (Languages) and Japan (Languages).

Sporting and cultural tours occur regularly to the USA, Canada, Australia and China.

Students sail on the Spirit of Adventure and take part in Outward Bound. In 2010 a student had the incredible experience of joining the Everest Trek expedition in the Himalayas.

Outside the classroom...

‘Rotorua Girls’ High School was so fantastic with supporting me to help me reach my goals. Teachers were always trying their best to work around me and my sporting commitments to help me get the best from my education.’

Monique AveryGraduated Rotorua Girls’ High School 2006

Under 25 World Champion for Xterra – off-road triathlon and mountain biking – Monique is currently studying at Canterbury University. She is a former Oceania mountain biking champion and has also completed a diploma in journalism at Waiariki Institute of Technology.

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Rotorua Girls’ High School boasts some of the finest educational facilities on offer.

Classrooms are well equipped with data projectors and interactive whiteboards in every room. Laptop pods are available for students in the mathematics and humanities faculties.

Our on-site café is open from 8.15am, at interval and during lunchtime. It offers a wide range of healthy foods, both hot and cold, at reasonable prices. Girls can enjoy eating in the café or outside in one of our many recreational areas.

Rotorua’s ARENA, which opened in 2005, is located at Rotorua Girls’ High School. The ARENA houses the school gym, providing students with first-rate sports facilities including basketball/netball courts, four volleyball courts and a weights/aerobic area.

Outside the ARENA we have a number of grass and astroturf sports fields and also have a dedicated dance studio, wharenui, performing arts and drama centre.

First-rate facilities...

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Students are encouraged to explore and accept leadership opportunities.

Elected positions held by our senior girls include head girl, deputy head girl, academic captain, arts captain, house captains, sports captain, prefects, chairs of student council and kahui rangatahi (Maori student council).

Representatives from both junior and senior school make up a number of committees, chaired by elected senior students.

Student council and kahui rangatahi meet regularly to share student opinions on school matters. Student council is involved in fundraising and gives support to local and national community appeals.

Year 12 take part in a leadership camp towards the end of the year to commence the peer supportprogramme. This provides skills and confidence required for their buddy role with year 9 students in the first term.

Year 13 girls have the opportunity to extend their leadership skills at OPC (Outdoor Pursuits Camp).

Future leaders...

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1) Every girl counts...Every student is respected, challenged and inspired. We focus on educating students from all cultures and backgrounds and ensure each one leaves an empowered young woman.

2) Educational excellence...We provide students with a safe and secure learning environment to study and develop into independent young women. Consistently achieving above national averages, our girls are more likely to graduate from tertiary studies and hold executive or managerial positions in business.

3) Small class sizes...Classes are capped at 26, with an average of 23 students per class in 2010. This provides an intimate learning environment, ensuring teachers develop strong relationships with all students.

4) Outstanding facilities...Our campus is set in well maintained, colourful grounds with a multi-use sports field, sports arena, library and computer resource area, dance studio, assembly hall, performing arts centre, wellness centre, caféand shop.

5) Sport abounds...Rotorua Girls’ High School allows students to participate in the widest range of school sports available in the Bay of Plenty. Annual exchanges with Tauranga Girls’ College, Gisborne Girls’ High School and Hamilton Girls’ High School ensure girls experience local and national competition. A number of our girls also compete internationally.

6) Performing arts success...Students have the opportunity to participate in a multitude of music and performance activities on local and national stages. Events include a joint annual production with Rotorua Boys’ High School, Stage Challenge, Shakespeare in Schools, debating, regional and national kapa haka and manu korero speech competitions. Instrumental tuition is free to students.

Ten reasons why you should choose Rotorua Girls’ High School...

7) Interactive teachers...Teachers are skilled, inspirational and friendly, and focus on interactivity with students individually and as a group. Thirteen former students currently teach at Rotorua Girls’ High School, including the principal.

8) Single-sex is better...Established in 1959, Rotorua Girls High School is one of only 24 girls-only state schools in New Zealand. Statistics show that girls-only schools out perform girls at co-ed schools.

9) Strong pastoral care...Every student is placed in a whanau and a sports house. Whanau teachers and house deans monitor academic progress, attendance and behaviour to help them establish a good understanding of student needs.

10) Accessible for students...Girls living in all areas of Rotorua can easily access the school by bus. Students often travel from outer lying districts including Kawerau, Tokoroa and Mamaku, while those from further afield board in Rotorua to attend Rotorua Girls’ High School.

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Enrolment and term dates...

Enrolment week for students joining Rotorua Girls’ High School in 2011 commences on Monday August 23, 2010.

Enrolment days will be held in the ARENA on August 23 and 24 from 3.30pm to 6pm.

During enrolment days, parents and students are welcome to attend school tours led by 2010 school prefects.

The principal and staff will also be available for one-on-one meetings and an options and expo evening will be held.

Further enquiries are welcome at any time.

2011 TERM DATES

TERM ONE

TERM TwO

TERM THREE

TERM FOUR

Tuesday February 1 – Friday April 15

Monday May 2 – Friday July 15

Monday August 1 – Friday October 7

Tuesday October 25 – wednesday December 7

Please contact the school for 2011 open day dates.

Rotorua Girls’ High School251 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua

Phone: Fax: Email:Website:

(07) 348 0156(07) 346 [email protected]

Rotorua Girls' High School

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