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PRINCIPAL’S PIECE LAST NEWSLETTER FOR 2012 Dear Parents and Caregivers Last Wednesday, 21 November Mrs Fiona Jessep, Agriculture teacher, Mrs Carol Wilson the Chair of the Board of Trustees and myself attended an information day called “Principals in2 the Field”. This was a day organised by our own Young Farmers showcasing some of the career opportunities in the Agriculture industry. About 40 people attended from secondary schools in the Canterbury region. The day started at Lincoln University then we went to the Sheep Breeding Centre where we were given a presentation normally given to Year 12 Agriculture students. While I could select the best potential for meat producing ewes from a small flock by just looking at them, I struggled to choose the best breeding line by the same method. However, with good data and an explanation of how to use it these both became easier tasks. The explanation and demonstration of AI (artificial insemination) was also interesting. Our next stop was the SYNLAIT Plant. While we were not able to access inside (as there were too many of us) the representatives from the plant gave us a detailed explanation of the business and the way they work towards sustainable environmental practices. Junior Prizegivings 2012 Our third visit was to 5 Star Beef Lot at Wakanui where we were shown around the farm and Yr 9/10 11.00am then Sir Graeme Harrison, Chairman of ANZCO and past pupil of the College addressed us on the importance of the Primary Industries to New Zealand, the future potential in the industry and Yr 7/8 1.30pm the need for our brightest young minds to see the potential for successful careers in this field. Please park on the This was followed by a BBQ lunch sampling their product. We then went to the Lone Goat front field Winery where the Wine Maker explained his philosophy and some of the differences in the wines he makes. The final presentation was back at Lincoln University where Dave Massen from Merino New Zealand, explained the advantages of branding, protecting the brand, research and development and development for high value products. What prompted this day was the “apparent misconception regarding careers in the agricultural sector, where there is an outdated view that the least academic students were those best suited to this industry” (from their information sheet). There is no doubt that there are many different careers within agriculture which cater for a diverse skill set; from skill based to academic, from out in the field to in the office or in research. With people like those who presented and talked to us on this day there is a future for many of our students in the agriculture sector. I would like to take this opportunity to wish students, parents and staff a very Merry Christmas and a relaxing New Year. John Schreurs Principal UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, 30 November Yr 7 Orana Park Trip Wednesday, 5 December Canterbury Athletics Thursday, 6 December Community Services Day Friday, 7-Sunday, 9 December NZ Secondary School Athletics, Dunedin Tuesday, 11 December Junior Prizegivings – Year 9/10 11.00am, Yr 7/8 1.30pm TERM DATES FOR 2013 Start of Year 2013 Mon, 21 January – Office open for uniform purchases Mon, 28 January – Tue, 29 January - Year 11-13 student interviews re subject changes, New enrolment interviews, New International students subject selection Wednesday, 30 January - Year 12 First Aid Course Thursday, 31 January - Year 9/10 new students orientation, Year 12 First Aid Course, New International students orientation, Day One for School Buses Friday, 1 February - Year 7 and New Year 8 students orientation day, Year 9 Surf Safe day, Year 13 Leadership day, House Captains & Deputies meeting Monday, 4 February - Day One All Students – Full timetable Wednesday, 6 February - Waitangi Day Friday, 29 March – Tuesday, 2 April - Easter Friday, 19 April - Last day of Term 1 Term 2 – Monday, 6 May – Friday, 12 July Term 3 – Monday, 29 July – Friday, 27 September Term 4 – Monday, 14 October – Friday, 13 December (last day for Junior students), Monday, 16 December IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR END OF YEAR All students will clear their lockers on Friday, 7 December at the end of the day. On Monday, 10 December and Tuesday, 11 December students will need to bring their diary, pencil case, paper (refill or exercise book), PE uniform and swimming togs for alternative timetable involving some of the normal classes, sports and practices for Prizegiving. All students are required to attend the Prizegiving and wear correct Summer school uniform. Students will be able to leave with parents following Prizegiving. Dear Parent/Guardian Back to School time will soon be approaching once again. To make life easier for you this Back to School season, we have teamed up with OfficeMax MySchool - an easy to use website where you can view our school stationery lists and order all of your Back to School stationery requirements online. Benefits for you: • You receive competitive prices direct from our supplier • Save time by avoiding busy retail stores • Free delivery on orders over $57.50 • Order early & have plenty of time to cover your books • Your child will start the year with the correct supplies Buying through OfficeMax MySchool will also earn our school much needed educational supplies rewards. Every dollar spent with OfficeMax MySchool will earn us School Rewards. Orders must be placed by the end of February for School Rewards to count. The easiest way to purchase your Back to School requirements is online at www.myschool.co.nz using your credit card. Simply search for our school, select your child's class/subject lists and follow the instructions on the website. Website orders over $57.50 qualify for free delivery. Delivery must be to your home or place of work – not to the school. To order by mail order and/or pay by cheque, all you have to do is go to www.myschool.co.nz and when you get to the check out, click on the Mail Order Form button. This will build a customised mail order form for you to print. Please note: All orders must be received prior to 16th of January to guarantee delivery before school starts. Yours sincerely John Schreurs Principal SIDE PONY CRAZE HITS MOUNT HUTT COLLEGE Last Friday, the staff donned their best side ponies in celebration of International Side Ponytail Day. This phenomenon spread like wild fire, with students, local café staff and other township folk flaunting their stuff. Mr Gorrie wears a suction cup My Little Pony 2013 MUSICAL PRODUCTION Planning for next year's production is well underway. For those of you who have just recently joined our school community, we participate in Stage Challenge and have our own musical production in alternate years. This year we took an original production to Stage Challenge at the CBS Arena in Christchurch and came home with 8 Awards of Excellence and the 3rd place trophy. Wayne Pannett is busily putting the finishing touches to an original script for a local, musical production in 2013. It is loosely based on “Battle of the Bands” (by Steve Harris), but is set in London in the 70s. Well known Pop and Rock songs from the era will feature along with a visual feast of 70s fashions and social idioms that may leave some in the audience rolling in the aisles and others – namely parents and grandparents – somewhat embarrassed at the memory! Nostalgia aside, it is going to be an exciting project, with production dates early in Term 2. Casting has been accomplished – a difficult task with so many talented and enthusiastic students throughout the School. Those who have missed out on getting a speaking part will be relied on to boost the chorus and crowd scenes. Those who have a speaking part will be contacted for a read-through of the finished script before we break up for Christmas. We are hopeful that all speaking parts can be learned over the holidays. Regular practices, workshops and rehearsals will begin early in 2013, with Wednesday practices starting once Swimming Sports and Athletics have finished. Students are reminded to check their school Gmail accounts and the Arts wiki and Arts Facebook page for new information. These can be accessed from the School website. Careers Office Ph: 3028437 ex 712 E-mail: [email protected] Young People and Employability I recently attended a presentation at the Careers and Transitions Educator’s Conference by Dale Williams, Chair of the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs. His advice to young people is to find out what skills and knowledge are needed to be employable and to go and get them. ”Go and get experience – make yourself useful on a building site, or in someone’s office. Make yourself employable”. He summed up his challenge to communities by quoting from Nelson Mandela,”There can be no keener revelation of a community’s soul, than the way it treats its children and young people”. Dale urges employers to think about their practices, to ask the hard questions, “Am I as an employer attractive to young people? How do I look after my young employees? Do young people know what I am looking for?” Younger workers will become more and more sought after in the future and employers need to make their requirements as employers well known and to work to understand and to meet the needs of their young workers. The education sector cannot do this on its own. Mrs Dickson and Mrs Schott at the Careers and Transition Educators Conference in Waitangi Free information and resources Use the links from the Careers wiki on the Mount Hutt College website to visit Careers NZ online for help with information on careers and training opportunities, lists of most sought after skills and knowledge sets, job applications and CV’s, and lots more.

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