NewsletterApril 2014 April 2014 Volume 51 PageNo. 12 ACADEMIC COLOURS AWARDS Student News and Activities At the Scholars’ Assembly the following students were presented with Academic BICKERTON-WIDDOWSON SCHOLARSHIPS Colours and Academic Merit Awards for their outstanding academic achievement in 2013. We are happy to announce that the following 2013 Year 13 students have gained this prestigious award. The students named are those who scored highly in NCEA Level 3 ACADEMIC COLOURS – NCEA LEVEL 1 and Scholarship. They are all currently enrolled at Canterbury University, which is a 80 or more credits achieved at the Excellence level in NCEA Level 1 or above in 2013. condition of this scholarship. Luna Browne Kate Gibb Alice McAtamney Juliette Soule Alice Burgess Isabella Griffiths Grace Partridge Holly Tudehope The award comes from the Bickerton-Widdowson Trust which is administered by Madeline Craig Ella Hawkey-D’Aeth Anna Percy Enya van Dulm Christchurch Girls’ High School, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Hagley Community Freya Dixon Hannah Kenneally Grace Puentener- Laken Wairau College, and the University of Canterbury College of Fine Arts. Connie Dwyer Emily Lai King Petra Williamson Students gaining the award are: Lauren Boot, Jessica Grant, Alexandra Grieve and Maisie Evison Olivia Lynch Katie Shaw Siana Worthington Lynn Kim . Poppy Fowler-Blyth Sienna MacArthur- Zoe Smith A Scholars’ Assembly was held on Thursday 20 March to recognise and celebrate Emi Frost Beadle Seoyun Song the success of these students and to challenge the 2014 group of students to for ACADEMIC COLOURS – NCEA LEVEL 2 ‘Embrace Excellence.’ At the assembly, Old Girl, Katie Pickles spoke to students, 60 or more credits achieved at the Excellence level in NCEA Level 2 or above in 2013. parents and staff about her life’s journey and the recipe for success. Lillie Balfour Emily Dalley Belinda Kilian Jane Park Kate Bennett Meghan Dunn Melanie Lee Joanna Parker Mia Brooke Ariana Faulkner Shani Lim Stella Radburnd Sarah Burns Olivia Gray Rachel Ling Ella Underdown-Gray Alice Carrell Francesca Hlavac Jovita Manickam Anna Urquhart Rosie Chalmers Rebecca Jenkins Elizabeth McPhail Madelaine Helena Chen Sophie Jones Laura O’Dwyer Westmerland- Monique Cranko Rachel Kennedy Ruby Oliver Drysdale

ACADEMIC MERIT – NCEA LEVEL 1 60 – 79 credits achieved at the Excellence level in NCEA Level 1 or above in 2013. Maddie Abell Rebecca Chrystal Lauren Iggo Aleisha Smith Caitlyn Barr Madeleine Conway Joanna Kuang Ella Stokes Abby Bent Harriet Sabrina Lee Jessica Taylor Shayna Black Millie Hanford Madeleine Marshall Leah Tuckerman Lily Boyask Maddie Harris Pippa McCaw Anna Woods Katie Brolan Tessa Hartland Hye Sun Moon

ACADEMIC MERIT – NCEA LEVEL 2 50 – 59 credits achieved at the Excellence level in NCEA Level 2 or above in 2013. Tiffany Ang Lily Fletcher Amelia Rintoul Jasmine Tran Alice Bull Inha Go Maya Robinson Kendra Wadman Annabel Caldwell Isabella Hutchison Abigail Smith L-R: Katie Pickles, Lauren Boot, Jessica Grant, Alexandra Grieve, Annaliese Cooper June Jung Ella Soule Lynn Kim and Mrs Duthie Hannah Farquhar Rosalinda Pierce Abby Souter

April 2014 Page 2 April 2014 Page 3 GIRLS IN IT – FORGET THE STEREOTYPING! HOUSE NEWS The House Deputies have now been appointed for 2014. They are: Christchurch Girls’ High School Year 10 students enjoyed an informative and inspiring assembly addressed by the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Connon Bella Davies Deans Inha Go Amy Adams, Joy Cottle from the Institute of IT Professionals NZ and Mindy Scott Harper Catherine Tinning Rolleston Marsh Project Manager at Jade Software. Selwyn Rachel Wylie Sheppard Belinda Killian Minister Adams reiterated about IT being the third largest export industry in New A house tug-of-war was won by Selwyn, as was the recent hunt-the-card competition. Zealand with Fonterra being the largest IT employer. Minister Adams also stressed 10HZS won a pizza lunch which will be shared with the house prefects and Ms Heinz that in there is a huge shortage of IT professionals with many unfilled on the last Monday of the term. Other house events before the end of the term vacancies. The audience were also treated to an insight into the multitude of will be guessing the identity of the mystery Easter Rabbit, design a house singlet possibilities, opportunities and benefits of working in the IT fieldand the global competition, and design an Easter Egg. Prizes for the latter will be presented at the language IT speaks. traditional Easter Assembly held on the last day of Term One. To set on this career pathway girls should keep their subject options broad exploring Maths, Sciences and Digital Technologies. Local tertiary institutions offer excellent qualifications in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, CANTERBURY MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2014 Media Design and many more, which all lead into exciting and rewarding careers in Eleven Christchurch Girls’ High students participated in Canterbury Model United IT. Nations on 11 and 12 March. Model UN is essentially acting out a United Nations Assembly. The girls each were given a country that they had to represent in a number of debates. Canterbury Model UN 2014 was focused on the theme of Security. The security policies, relevant to the international stage, were researched and debated. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and stepped a bit out of their comfort zones, as talking to 180 people is quite daunting! We are all looking forward to the next big event, New Zealand Model United Nations which will be held in Wellington in July.

L-R: Kahuiti Huia, Zoe Harding, Minister Amy Adams, Joy Cottle, Mindy Scott, Jahna Davies

April 2014 Page 4 April 2014 Page 5 YEAR 11 GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO QUEENSTOWN Gibbston’s unique environment to achieve well-balanced social, economic and It was the morning of March 19 and over 90 eager Year 11 Geographers, a few environmental sustainability. We also went into the AJ-Hacket Bungy facility and saw teachers and parents embarked on our much anticipated field trip to Queenstown. a few daring people leap into the air. In the weeks leading up to the trip we had been learning about geographic concepts, A little after lunch we hit the road into Queenstown. After a quick scenic drive and in particular environment, sustainability and patterns, so the trip was a perfect excited talk about the next activities we arrived in the Queenstown CBD. We were opportunity to apply our newly acquired knowledge to our particular case setting there to complete an amazing race in the Queenstown Botanical Gardens and lake in Queenstown and the Gibbston Valley. Bussing down meant that we were able to front. With fierce competition between the three classes and teachers we had no understand how topography, climate, and land use differs between regions. time to lose. In our small groups we darted off to find answers to the puzzling clue Arriving in Queenstown in the afternoon, we quickly got settled into our camp and and survey tourists about their origin, age and reason for visiting Queenstown to set off for a trip down to the lake. After creating unique art with items found on the assist our internal on the tourism patterns in Queenstown. Of course no trip to beach to express any geographic concept and taking a dip into the chilly water we Queenstown would be complete without a ride on the gondala and some serious luge made our way back to camp. racing between the students and teachers. We spent Thursday morning in Gibbston, a small town in the Gibbston Valley which Overall, the field trip was not only productive but also extremely jam-packed full of is in the Waikatipu Basin. Gibbston is famous for its world class wine, world’s first entertaining and exciting activities so a huge thanks to the teachers Ms McLeod, Mr commercial bungy jump and rich heritage. We listened to talks by the owner of Meredith and Mr Adams and all the parents and helpers for making this trip not only Mt Edward Winery, an organic winery and the head of the Gibbston Community possible but also a great experience for everyone. Association to learn about how they had been working hard to sustain and preserve GARDEN CLUB 2014 This year we have an enthusiastic group of girls, from all year levels, who are very keen to help out in the school garden. We meet every Friday lunch time ready and willing to roll up our sleeves and do the many jobs that need doing. We have been very busy harvesting crops, pulling out weeds and preparing the soil for our winter crop. We have dug the potatoes that grew over the summer, selling half to the staff and donating the rest to the City Mission. We have harvested corn, parsley and coriander seed. Mrs Wilson and Mr Schimanski come each week and they teach us about gardening and guide us as we carry out the various tasks. Jamy- Lee and I are very proud to be the leaders of this group and we are really excited about the year ahead. Tracey Kumar and Jamy- Lee Ernstzen

April 2014 Page 6 April 2014 Page 7 POLYFEST 2014 CHINESE SPEECH PROFICIENCY COMPETITION Every year since I have been at Girls’ High our beautiful Pasifika girls have expressed Each year the Confucius Institute organise the “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency a dream to participate in Polyfest. The energy and enthusiasm has always been Competition. Students who are currently learning Chinese throughout New Zealand there. This year at our powhiri some of the Boys’ High representatives who attended are eligible to participate in this competition. Two students are eventually selected responded to an invitation for our schools to combine together to perform at and they represent New Zealand in and compete against other students from Polyfest. It was agreed to make this happen. all over the world. Before this can happen, sub-regional and regional competitions take place. A massive thank you to Matua Afoa, Savannah Pedofsky and Sam Latu and to Sue Snell and Rhia Taonui for organising the uniforms and for all those who helped with This year two brilliant students participated in the sub-regional competition. Sara Jo, sewing. And most importantly to the students of Girls’ High and Boys’ High who Year 11 and June Jung Year 13. worked many hours and helped history to be made. Sarah participated under the International student and Native Chinese category. She Please watch the link below to see the full performance that took place at the competed against a number of students who were New Zealand born Chinese. Sarah Celebration Centre on Wednesday 2 April. has only studied Chinese at CGHS for the last two years, but she speaks Chinese with fluency, confidence and flair. Sarah did an outstanding job with her speech and was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPwSQRcAnDM placed 3rd in the sub-regional Competition. Well done Sarah. June participated under the Senior Student category. Some of her competitors had been in the competition several times already. Although this was the first time for June, she executed her speech with perfect intonation and superb fluency. She was placed 2nd in the sub-regional Competition which meant she could compete in the Regional competition which was held over the weekend. On 29 March, June travelled to Dunedin and competed against the best in New Zealand. She not only delivered a perfect speech but she also performed a Chinese song she learned last year. June’s speech and presentation won the hearts of all the judges and she was placed 1st in the South Island Regional “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition. June is now preparing for her last battle – The National Final in Wellington. We wish her all the best. Fiona Yen – Chinese Teacher

April 2014 Page 8 April 2014 Page 9 MUSIC EXCELLENCE RUTHERFORD’S National Concerto Competition DEN VISIT The 47th National Concerto Competition held in Christchurch on Saturday 8 March. Rutherford’s Den This is an annual national competition for musicians who are under 25. The winners is an exciting way receive prize money and the opportunity to perform with the Christchurch Symphony of learning about Orchestra. the New Zealand Congratulations toArna Morton (nee Shaw) former pupil of Christchurch Girls’ scientist, Ernest High School who was the joint winner. This is a superb result in such a prestigious Rutherford. Ernest competition. Rutherford was Joint Winner - Arna Morton (Christchurch) - Violin played Violin Concerto No. 1, Op35 born in Nelson and by Karol Szymanowski. gained a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Particular congratulations to Diane Huh, Year 13 who He helped look was awarded the Canterbury Contestant who showed into problems great potential in the same competition. This is a with radioactivity. tremendous achievement for someone still at school He also has and bodes well for the future of this talented student. an element, Well done Diane! Rutherfordium named after him. The session started off with an entertaining play performed by our own classmates in costume. We then split off into 4 groups and rotated around different tables filling out an information sheet as we went. There NZ SECONDARY SCHOOLS SYMPHONY was a different table for each of these topics: The Periodic Table, The Construction ORCHESTRA MUSICAL EXCELLENCE of an Atom, How Different Elements are Constructed and Ernest Rutherford himself. Congratulations toMeghan Dunn and Yuriko We enjoyed the play at the start of the session. We thought it was interesting and a Shiratori for being selected in this year’s New Zealand very fun way to Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra. Entry is learn. Throughout by audition drawing from some of New Zealand’s the afternoon we top secondary school learnt what Ernest orchestral instrumentalists. Rutherford’s A great effort girls! Well discovered about done. the atom, where he grew up, where he attended school and who WEDDING MUSIC helped him along On Saturday 29 March, the way. Juliette Soule, Emily Lai, Meghan Dunn, Samantha Hickford played at the Grace Maguire, wedding of a former Keeley Phipps and student, Abby Brass. Amy Milnes 9CRA

April 2014 Page 10 April 2014 Page 11 YEAR 9 CAMPS Each year 9 form class had 24 hours at Waipara Boys’ Brigade camp. Here are some comments from the happy campers:

“I wish we could have stayed longer.”

“My highlight was the swimming hole which was awesome. I loved everything about it, the tree swings and tubes floating in the water, and the rope bridge going across the river. We did backflips off the high swing and that was awesome.”

“The nightline was so much fun but a little bit scary, it was fun and challenging at the same time.

“The waterslide was easily one of my highlights, it was a really nice refresher after running around on the orienteering.”

“The leaders kept us safe but let us have lots of fun.”

“Orienteering – so much running, so little time! But our perseverance paid off with rides on the water slide and dinner afterwards.”

“I loved bike riding down the bumpy roads and on the BMX track.”

“We had so much fun and it was sad to leave.”

“I have never experienced anything like this before and it was great to get out of my comfort zone.

“The peer support leaders were very supportive and encouraging which was great. The teachers looked like they had a blast too.”

“It was great to spend time with the girls in my new class, and get to know them better by doing really cool things together in a non-school environment.”

“I loved the atmosphere at camp, it was nice and calm and relaxing. It’s great to get some fresh air away from the city and I wish we could have stayed longer.”

“At first I was a bit worried about my first CGHS camp. Would they be as strict as they are about having nice shoes? But it was nothing like that, it was so much fun and I will definitely remember it for a long time.”

April 2014 Page 12 April 2014 Page 13 So what is in store for us now? Lots of treat food, no training for two weeks, then Sports News winter training begins as we build up to National Championships in Wanganui in ATHLETICS NEWS December. As the Athletic season draws near to an end, the team has been doing exceptionally well but we still have one last ongoing challenge for this season. We had a good turnout at Papanui High School field on 24 February for the school athletics competition. We are lucky to have these facilities provided by Toc H for our school to use. 2014 ATHLETIC CUP WINNERS: Under 14 Hurdles Lily Trotter Under 14 & Junior High Jump Megan Austin Junior 200m Kate Percy Senior High Jump Georgia Surie Senior 200m Georgia Surie Under 14 Champion Amabelle Voice-Powell Junior Champion Kate Percy Intermediate Champion Anna Percy Senior Champion Georgia Surie In the Canterbury Championship preliminaries held on 18 March at Rawhiti Domain we fielded 20 athletes with 47 entries. We achieved a total of 39 places in the finals. This equals an amazing 83% success for the team, making us a team to watch! NEW ZEALAND U16 NATIONAL JUNIOR BASKETBALL TEAM In the Canterbury Championships finals held on the following Saturday we had a team Congratulations toSapphire Wairau who has been selected in the 2014 New Zealand of 19 athletes with a combination of 37 entries and a total of 15 places in the finals. U16 Girls’ team set to compete at the Australian State Championships in July. This is an outstanding achievement. South Island Track and Field Championships - Timaru Congratulations Sapphire! Our team had 14 placings. As a single-sex girls’ school we were only second to St Hilda’s Collegiate, out performing all our local rivals. Special mention must go to Lily Trotter and Anna Percy who both placed in 3 events. DRAGON BOATING They are the fastest girls over 800m and 100m respectively. The Christchurch Girls’ High School Dragon Boating team of 2013/2014 was made up Under 14 Kate Percy. 1st 100m, 3rd 200m, 3rd Long Jump of a group of 28 competitive and dedicated students. It primarily consisted of year Lily Trotter 1st 800m, 2nd Long Jump, 3rd 800m 13’s with 6 year 12’s introduced later on in the season. Coached solely by sweep Akeria Worthington 2nd 1500m, 3rd 800m Scott Johnson and captained byElla Underdown-Gray and Bridget Dunbar, the team Amabelle Voice-Powell 2nd Shot Put was first formed back in September 2013 with some girls coming back for a second Under 16 Scarlett Norton 3rd Pole Vault season. Sami Kokich 3= High Jump Due to injuries and other commitments the team changed members several times Under 19 Hannah Boyd 3rd Hammer Throw throughout the season and was only finalised a couple of weeks before South Islands. Anna Percy 2nd 100m Hurdles. The girls’ effort and perseverance to get the new team members up to a competitive The other seven team members finished mid field with respectable results. A standard in only a matter of weeks was very commendable. Many trainings, early fantastic result and we owe a big thank you to the PTA for the travel subsidy helping mornings and drives out to Pegasus for water training twice a week all came down to us to keep the costs down. two weekends in succession. South Islands on 22 March and Nationals on 29 March.

April 2014 Page 14 April 2014 Page 15 The week before NEW ZEALAND SURF LIFESAVING SQUAD South Island’s many Brittany Tucker, Year 13 has been selected for Surf Lifesaving New Zealand’s High of the girls became Performance Squads and Youth team for 2014/2015. sick and some serious Surf Lifesaving New Zealand will be sending two teams to compete at the Lifesaving injuries started to World Championships (Rescue 2014) in France this September - a New Zealand Open arise however the girls team and a New Zealand Youth team. pulled together on the day coming away with Congratulations Brittany! 3 silver medals, one in the 200m, 500m and SWIMMING SPORTS 2014 2km races. Training Our CGHS swimming sports were held on Friday 14 February at Wharenui Pool. eased in the next week The sports this year were for championship competitors only as, unfortunately, as the girls rested for Christchurch no longer has a pool to fit the whole school. Although lacking the Nationals. It was an colour and excitement of the house orientated days of the past, the event this year emotional day for all as the girls came 4th in the 200m and again in the 500m after showcased some of our very talented swimmers. It was great to see some of our Year having the fastest heat time. They managed to pull it all out for the 2km and gained 13 girls showing school spirit and swimming, in what was to be their last school swim a gold medal with a time 2 seconds ahead of second place. This large team of girls sports. who at the beginning of the season barely knew each other proved that if you share a Hannah Bates, Year 9 broke the Under 14 Breaststroke record which had been set in common goal and are as willing and committed as each other there is no reason why 1996; she also won both the Open events of the meet! Well done Hannah! you can’t be successful. Overall the girls had a great season and should be very proud of their achievements. Below are age group champions and special cups that are awarded. This year we finished the sports with an inter-house relay; this was won with ease by Harper. INTERSCHOOL EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE 2014 SWIMMING CUP WINNERS: At the recent interschool Under 14 Champion Hannah Bates dressage competition, one Junior Champion Sapphire Wairau of our teams was placed 5th, Intermediate Champion Tiffany Jagau and was awarded ribbons. Senior Freestyle (50m race) Brittany Tucker The team was composed Senior Champion Brittany Tucker of Esme Maillard and Amy Trophy for most points in Open Events Hannah Bates Weastell of Year 9, Molli Thacker of SWIM TEAM SUCCESS Year 11 and Sophie Ware of Our CGHS swimmers had a very successful day at the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Year 13. Within that team, Swimming Championships held 2 April at Jellie Park. We had 18 swimmers competing Esme had an individual and placegetters are as follows: placing of 6th, while Sophie Hannah Bates 1st U14 100 Freestyle - record time had an individual placing of 1st Open 200 Freestyle – record time L-R: Molli Thacker, Amy Weastall, 1st. This is an excellent Amelia Davies 1st U15 50 Breaststroke Sophie Ware, Esme Maillard result for the students. Sapphire Wairau 1st U15 50 Freestyle – record time The next equestrian event is on Tuesday May 6th, at McLeans Island, and is the Brittany Tucker 1st 16+ 50 Freestyle – record time annual St Margarets-Rangi Ruru-Christchurch Girls’ High Competition. Senior freestyle relay 1st Brittany Tucker, Millie Johnston, Jess Taylor, Ella Underdown-Gray

April 2014 Page 16 April 2014 Page 17 Open medley relay 1st Brittany Tucker, Millie Johnston, Sapphire perfect conditions all week apart from Tuesday afternoon. Everyone made at least Wairau, Hannah Bates 1 A Final which is an outstanding effort considering there are over 2000 students Open freestyle relay 1st Brittany Tucker, Millie Johnston, Sapphire competing at this event which is the biggest secondary schools sporting event in the Wairau, Hannah Bates southern hemisphere. Millie Johnston 2nd 16+ 50 Breaststroke All the girls had a great time and found the regatta a really rewarding experience after Tigerlily Perry 2nd U15 50 Freestyle 6 months of training. We had 2 crews medal in the finals in U16 8+ (Cox: Kennedy Jasmine Dreaver 3rd Open 100 Breaststroke Latham, Meg Roberts, Sophie Jackson, Alice Commons, Grace Shaw, Georgia Mere Hancock 3rd 16+ 50 Butterfly Sevier, Ella Bachop, Charlotte Whitlow and Paige Waddington) which gained a silver medal. Also to the LW U18 4+ (Maddy Conway, Olivia Gray, Christie Morrison, Rhiannon Mason and cox Gabby Marris) who also gained a silver medal. A special congratulations also to Davina Waddy who was selected for a New Zealand Junior trial and Grace Shaw and Fran Hlavac who were also both selected for an U18 South Island trial. We wish all of these girls the best of luck! Christie Morrison and Olivia Gray

South Island Secondary School Regatta This Regatta was the last regatta for full team this season and good preparation for CGHS Open Relay team the Maadi team. L-R: Brittany Tucker, Sapphire Wairau, Millie Johnston, Hannah Bates We had some very good results making 12 “A” finals and medalling in 7 of them. Gold Medals to U18 coxed 4, U18 Novice coxed 4 ROWING - MAADI 2014 Silver Medals to U17 coxed 4, U15 coxed 4, U16 coxed 4, U18 coxed 8 The 2014 Maadi cup was held at Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel - this year Girls’ High had Bronze Medal to U18 pair. 24 rowers competing with rowers in every age category. We were down in Twizel for 9 days with racing taking place over the whole week. We were very lucky that we had A team of 24 students was then selected for Maadi which happened 2 weeks later so there was just 2 more hard weeks to prepare and fine tune everything. It was a very good way for the full team to end the season. The weather put on for this regatta in Twizel was sensational and added to the enjoyment of both team and parents who travelled down to support their daughters.

April 2014 Page 18 April 2014 Page 19 TENNIS TRIATHLON NATIONALS The Senior A Tennis team did super well this year as we qualified for Nationals, which Last week a team of two Girls’ High girls, Arlia Schurr and Jess Kikstra travelled up to hasn’t been done for the past 15 years at Girls’ High. To get there we finished 2nd at Gisborne for the Secondary Schools’ triathlon nationals. Although in the individual South Island’s in Timaru. event both girls were slightly disappointed with their races, with rough seas making Our last game at South for difficult swimming conditions, Arlia finished in 10th place in the U16 girls event, Islands was a must win which consisted of a 500m swim, 15km bike and 3.5km run, while Jess finished in 6th against St Hilda’s and in the U19 girls event which involved a 750m swim, 20km bike followed by a 5km run. all of the girls played The two then paired up with Greg Moore and Nathan Schuurman from CBHS to win amazing tennis to pull off the Super Sprint teams event , in which each team member completes a 150m swim, an upset win over them. 5km bike and 2km run before tagging the next person. This was a great end to our During tournament week trip to Gisborne. the Nationals were held in Auckland. We were up VOLLEYBALL against New Zealand’s On Sunday 23rd March, the CGHS Senior A volleyball team traveled to Palmerston best players - some were North to compete in the annual Nationals tournament. This tournament ran from NZ representatives and it Monday to Friday and each team played on average two games per day. The 2013 was very tough. Although CGHS team came second overall last year, however unfortunately this year started we finished 7th we tried in a lower division. This didn’t stop us from trying our absolute hardest and setting our best and worked very a goal to win our division. We scraped through our pool plays - just making quarter well as a team whilst also finals, which we won in 5 sets to Trident Girls. This then ensured we made semi finals, having a great time too. which we ended up winning against Wellington Girls’ College 3-1. L-R: Harriet Clyma, Maddie Abell, Hilary Hanton, Our final was played on the last day of tournament where we were up against St Lily Sawyer, Natasha Dickison Peters College, from Cambridge, who were a team that we had lost to in 3 sets, two TOUCH days prior. We realised that achieving our goal was just one game away and knew 2014 touch season started successfully. At the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ that we had to put in our put effort and enthusiasm in order to get the results that championships on 1st March, the Christchurch Girls’ High School Supertouch team we wanted in this final. After a long two and a half hour game, we came out on top, made it into the finals against our rivals Burnside High School. Burnside ended up winning in 5 sets, achieving our goal and returning home with shiny gold medals. coming away with the win as we couldn’t stop their scoops, with the final score being A huge thank you goes to Mr Bilsbury, our coach, and Miss Grant, our manager, for 6-4. helping us prior and throughout the tournament. You made this tournament possible We headed into South Islands on the 29th March with confidence in making top for us all. Thank you. four to qualify for Nationals in December. We finished 3rd in our pool at the end of Lily Fletcher the day. On Sunday we played off for fifth and sixth against St Hilda’s, it was 4-4 at full time, meaning we went into drop off. We held them off until it went down to 4 WATERPOLO players on each team, then St Hilda’s slipped through to make the final score 5-4 to St Another term which saw waterpolo grow just a little bit more in terms of the schools Hilda’s. competition and in strength for our Girls’ High team. Our team this year comprised The Christchurch Girls’ High Super touch team haven’t qualified for Nationals but are two Year 9 students, two Year 10’s, three Year 11’s and seven Year 12’s. So, generally, hoping to receive a wild card as a second chance. Apart from this the team is happy a pretty young team. with the results of this season. During the term the team trained two times a week in the Rangi school pool (weather permitting) and played in the six team Wednesday night Secondary competition. This pitched us against teams from Villa, Marion, St Margaret’s, Rangi Ruru, and Burnside.

April 2014 Page 20 April 2014 Page 21 Deb made things much easier. Looking ahead to Term Four, it is exciting to hear that the Junior South Islands are to be held in Christchurch and with a large number of Juniors already in our Senior team, Girls’ High should soon be back on the map as a major waterpolo force! Abby Bent

NEW ZEALAND IN QATAR, AND Charlotte Sullivan Year 11, has just competed in the FIG gymnastics event in Doha, Qatar. She did very well making finals in the floor discipline. She will also be participating in the Pacific Rim gymnastics event in British , Canada, in mid-April. Both of these events are very important for Charlotte’s build up to the Commonwealth Games trials in Auckland and Melbourne in May 2014 and all going well her inclusion in the Commonwealth Games woman’s artistic team to complete in Glasgow, Scotland in July/August 2014. Mackenzie Slee Year 11, has also been traveling overseas competing in two gymnastics competitions as the lead up competitions to the Commonwealth Games trials for 2014. Her first competitions were held Burnside were by far the strongest team, followed by Girls’ High. We ended up in Hungary in January where finishing 2nd in this competition. Mackenzie and her team mates The team headed off to Invercargill during tournament week excited but very unsure competed against gymnasts from of what the competition would be like at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Senior , Hungary, and Water polo Competition, and how we would fare against the southern teams that . Mackenzie had a strong play in more robust competitions and have ample access to proper training pools. competition coming away with a We also travelled without a coach. Unfortunately, we hadn’t had one all season so 3rd overall placing in the Junior this also made our preparation for Invercargill difficult. International Level. Mackenzie has just finished competing, in There were 8 teams in the South Island Tournament and every game was a major the L’International Gymnix 2014 – challenge for us. Our closest matchup against our arch rivals, Rangi, had us going Challenge in Montreal, a member point for point for the majority of the game, before Rangi just pulled ahead before of the NZ WAG team competing the final whistle. We went down 8-7. Sadly, this proved to be our closest game but at Senior International Level. She the team never lost heart and always gave 100%. Deb Bowry, who runs the Schools managed to make floor finals competition in Christchurch sat with the team during each game and helped guide on day 2 of competition. She us though our matches. This was extremely helpful as it was so hard for us to coach said there were some amazing each other while trying to play! The good news is that Deb has found a coach for us gymnasts on display during this for next season. Bring it on! competition. Many thanks to Ms Pierce for supporting us over the term and to her husband who helped get the team to Invercargill and back. Thanks also to Deb for supporting us so Mackenzie Slee well in Invercargill. Going to any tournament without a coach is never easy so having

April 2014 Page 22 April 2014 Page 23 Tertiary News • An information evening is being held on 7 May. • 90% of 2012 graduates were either employed and/or continuing studies.

MASSEY UNIVERSITY CPIT Bachelor of Design and Fine Arts • Free trades courses for women • Students who have attained Level 2 with an Excellence • Women are free in the first year of engineering. Then there are scholarships endorsement and have an Excellence Endorsement in one art, design or of up to $11,000 for engineering. technology subject will not need to submit a portfolio to gain admission to • Open day: 19 June. one of the design courses at Massey University. • A fast tracking portfolio assessment is also being offered so they are assessed as they are received from 1 July. New Bachelor of Creative Media Production CAREERS EVENING • This is a three year degree which does not require a portfolio. It is interdisciplinary and prepares students for the sort of work done at Weta Tuesday 15 April Workshops. Christchurch Girls’ High School • It is capped at 20 places. in New Bachelor of Retail and Business management Staffroom • This will be offered at the Albany campus in Auckland. from 6-8pm. New Engineering Scholarships • These will cover academic fees over the four years of the degree, amounting to more than $25,000. Study at Massey Day: Friday 29 August. CAREERS EXPO VICTORIA UNIVERSITY This is being held at the CBS Arena on: Victoria’s school leaver scholarships for 2015 Thursday, 22 May, from 9 – 3pm and 5 – 7pm There will be at least 400 of these but they will be awarded competitively. Friday, 23 May, from 9 – 3pm • Bachelor of Arts students are being offered internships as part of their degree. Saturday, 24 May, from 10 – 3pm • Victoria’s Information Evening is on Thursday, 3 July We will be taking all of Year 12 on Thursday morning, 22 May, during • Study at Victoria Day is Friday, 29 August periods 3 and 4, but the Expo also provides an excellent opportunity for Year 11 and 13, as well as parents, whanau and caregivers, to explore UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY options for future pathways. New Bachelor of Criminal Justice More information about the Expo can be found on its website. • This is a three year degree for those interested in law enforcement, victim advocacy, corrections and offender rehabilitation.

April 2014 Page 24 April 2014 Page 25 International Report Principal, BOT & PTA Reports My name is Susan Dear parents and friends Sun, a Year 13 student from China. How quickly the term is flying by! Easter and the term one holidays will soon be This is my last year upon us. I wish to thank all the parents who took time to complete the Technology in CGHS. On 8 and survey, the results of which are reported elsewhere in this publication, and to alert 9 March we had a 2 you to the new incentives with regard to student learning which are also highlighted day trip to Hanmer. in this newsletter. The technology survey will help inform our strategic planning for I made a lot of new future developments in this area and the new awards are especially designed to link friends on the trip. to the school’s vision and encourage all our students to embrace their own personal We had many fun excellence. activities. Although it is still some time away, I have been working on Open Day promotions On the first day, and the related publications that accompany it. From personal experience, I know we went to the that deciding on your child’s secondary schooling creates mixed feelings. There is hot pools, then excitement that he or she has reached this stage of life and that new possibilities are some students did opening up but there is also a certain anxiety. You want to provide your child with the horse-riding and best start you possibly can and you want to make the right choice. some students did mountain biking. Everyone was happy. I was also very happy! As a parent you probably want a school that has high expectations, both academically When we came back Ms Stopforth, Mrs Sweeney and Ms Yen made a barbecue for and in terms of behaviour; you want a school that offers opportunities - both dinner. Everyone had dinner together. Most students on the trip were international curricular and co-curricular – and you want a place where your child is known and he students. We are all from different countries. We have similar experiences, so we or she feels happy, safe and secure. A school that is geographically close to home is talked a lot on that day. also generally preferable. Your child’s reasoning may be quite different – he or she On the second day, we went on a jet boat. It was great fun. Also the scenery there will naturally want to go where his or her friends are going. If all these competing was really beautiful. We took many photos there. After that, everyone was tired and desires intersect then well done and good luck as the choice of school is probably slept in the car. Ms Stopforth drove the car and took us home. self-evident. But what if you have a preference for single sex education or the criteria don’t all line up as neatly as you would like? I was very happy on this trip. As this year is my last year in CGHS, I wanted to make more memories of my high school life. It made me consider why parents should choose a single sex education and specifically Christchurch Girls’ High School as the school of choice for their daughter. An analysis of 2013 NCEA results clearly confirms already published research that girls in girls’ schools do better

April 2014 Page 26 April 2014 Page 27 academically than their counterparts at co-educational schools. 2013 results further confirm that girls at this school do particularly well. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION For 2014 as part of embracing excellence, we have set ourselves the even higher targets of all students passing Level 1 and Level 2 and 95% of students passing at Level 3. PRINCIPAL’S AWARD However, a single sex education offers more than just academic results. Christchurch Girls’ High School belongs to the Alliance of Girls’ Schools, a group which makes clear This award involves the presentation of a unique and special badge at a full school the benefits of an all girls’ education. In a single-sex school every girl has a voice and assembly. A small number will be awarded each term as we want to develop a school all leadership roles are filled by girls. Our curriculum is tailored for girls, and teaching culture where these awards are viewed as significant, desirable and treasured. practice designed to enhance girls’ learning styles. At an all girls’ school girls have not only “equal opportunity but every opportunity” and they can work through These awards are designed to acknowledge/recognise exceptional student behaviour/ challenges of adolescence without fear of embarrassment or harassment. attitude/effort either consistently displayed over time or displayed in a one off unique situation. Thus, there are many benefits of attending Christchurch Girls’ High School, not the least of which are the life-long friendships that will be made. Finally, to everyone, The criteria for these awards are: have an enjoyable Easter break. • Where a student has been consistently acting in a way that demonstrates clearly the school values - over and above school expectations. Tena koutou, tena koutou, katoa. • Where a student demonstrates outstanding commitment, effort or goes out of the way to support others ie a one off, out of the box event; an act of Pauline Duthie service; an exceptional significant piece of work. Principal

EMBRACING EXCELLENCE AWARD This award is to honour and promote the schools’ vision of “Embracing Tradition. Embracing Innovation. Embracing Excellence” by recognising and acknowledging students who in their own way have embraced these values. This award complements Personal Excellence in Learning (PEL) awards, Internal Academic awards and Merit and Academic Colours awards.

The award involves an afternoon tea (one per term) where 2-3 students per year group are invited to have afternoon tea with the Principal. We again want to develop a school culture where these awards are viewed as significant, desirable and treasured by the students. This award is open to all students across all levels and is aimed to acknowledge those students who have made a sustained or significant improvement in effort and/or achievement.

A letter of invitation will be sent to the recipient’s home.

A photograph board in Level 1 will display the recipients each term.

April 2014 Page 28 April 2014 Page 29 TECHNOLOGY SURVEY Dear parents and friends It has been a busy start to the year for the Board. Aside from working through all the issues surrounding the buildings, we have finalised the school charter for the Thank you to all parents who completed this survey. The information will be used to year. The school charter is a document for the whole school community and you will inform our forward planning for Technology. all have access to the charter through the school website and I suggest you have a Results and Reflections: read. As a school we want to “Embrace Tradition, Embrace Innovation and Embrace Excellence”. The academic achievement of our girls has been high, however we have Question 1: Do you think BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) should be compulsory for identified areas that we can still improve on and mechanisms are being implemented everyone in 2015? to assist in achieving these goals. One of the overriding themes of the charter is • 49.3% YES to further develop a quality learning environment through effective teamwork and • 50.7% NO uniting the whole school community. A good team will get results. The overwhelming concerns for parents were cost and equity. This was especially true As a board we have been looking at ways to improve communication throughout the if there was more than one child in a family needing a laptop. Many wanted the type of school community. The release of the school app earlier this year has been a step in device to be specified. Some respondents felt we should not be able to impose BYOD. that direction. Whilst it may not work for everyone, it is proving to be a useful tool BYOD will not be compulsory for everyone in 2015 but it is recommended. No child to get messages out to the school community and will increase in usage as we all will be disadvantaged in their education if they do not have BYOD. As a school we become familiar with it. I was quite excited to get an alert last week, only to find out believe a measured response, full consultation and clear guidelines are necessary. that the netball club were looking for umpires. Unfortunately I was unable to help. However, we are signposting now that in 2016 BYOD is likely to be compulsory and The app is an example of technology being introduced into the school environment. that a lightweight machine with a full operating system will be required. This year we are developing a strategy around the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. A considerable amount of professional development will be Question 2: Should we continue with the current practice regarding social media carried out among staff as we look to set a vision for the use of technology in the access? classroom. This is a difficult task in an ever changing environment however we are • 85.6% YES committed to setting a clear pathway forward for the school. • 14.39% NO I was recently sitting in my office planning a productive afternoon when I got an email As it stands this policy is the outright blocking of inappropriate sites. When we become saying we have got several crews in the finals and you can follow the races thorough aware of other potentially harmful sites, they are assessed, and blocked if deemed live streaming. Whilst my productivity dropped significantly it was great to watch inappropriate. AskFM would be an example. our girls perform so well, live on my computer screen. Congratulations to those We do not block Facebook or You Tube. This is part of balancing the need to teach girls who proudly represented our school. I am personally a sport fanatic and feel students to be digitally responsible and the educational usefulness of such sites against that sport has a huge part to play in the culture of any school and it is great to see the potential harm they can cause. If the use of such sites is abused we have the ability so many girls taking part in events. It was also good to see our volleyball team also to block them as well. recently compete at nationals, our cricket team narrowly missed out on qualifying for nationals and our football team is currently one game away from qualifying. Let’s not Question 3: Would you attend a workshop on the safe navigation of social media forget we are the current national basketball champs. Our A netball team also played for teenagers? the curtain raiser to the Tactix last week. We have an amazing amount of talent at • 67.69% YES CGHS and group of girls who work hard to succeed. I feel it is important we celebrate • 32.31% NO and “Embrace Success” with our students. While this was dependent on when a workshop was held for some respondents, we Mike Lay are looking at hosting workshops on this in Term 2. Watch this space! BOT Chair

April 2014 Page 30 April 2014 Page 31 Hi to all Parents and Caregivers Next Meetings: (Meetings are held in the library unless otherwise notified) As the term slips by us at a fast rate we would like to take some time to congratulate Monday May 5th all of the girls that have been competing in their chosen sports for CGHS and I know Tuesday June 3rd that you have all made the school and parents very proud with the effort you have all Monday Aug 4th put in. Monday Sept 1st As we move forward into the year we again are looking for ways to involve our school Monday Nov 3rd community and hope that you can offer some ideas that we could put into use. So attached following my comments you will find an ideas slip which we hope you will President: John Drummond take time to complete to help us become more involved with the school community. Vice President: Louise Burgess This can be done by filling in the slip attached or by emailing your ideas to us pta@ Secretary: Dibs Kennedy cghs.school.nz Treasurer: Paula Le Compte Uniform Sales Co-ordinator: Ann Margaritis It was good to see a lot of new faces at our recent AGM and it was good to hear Uniform Sales Assistant: Judy Williamson some positive comments. Each year we receive a “wish list” from the school this list contains items that fall outside of the BOT’s and school’s budget and this is where John Drummond your PTA contribution can be used to help improve our school for your daughter’s President CGHS PTA benefit. This year we will be funding items such as new lab coats for the science [email protected] department, heat pumps for some of the prefabs and the music room and also some additional tables and chairs. The PTA will continue to try and provide items that can be used by a majority of our students where possible but as you are all well aware we only have half a school and until decisions are made from the “higher powers to be,” Fundraising Ideas Slip: Attention PTA we are restricted and frustrated that any changes or additions we can offer to pay for may only ever be temporary. As you may well be aware the PTA offer travel subsidies Ideas or Comments: to sports and academic groups representing the school to assist with funding their trips away but as the formula was old and out dated we have restructured the format and also made allowances for teams and individuals that may get selected to represent CGHS at a national level to apply for a second subsidy to cover these events. We encourage you to have a look at our PTA page on the CGHS web site where you can purchase house hold items such as large rolls of glad wrap etc. at a competitive Name of Contact if desired: rate while also helping fundraise for the PTA. Thankyou for supporting your PTA and we do look forward to meeting with you at some stage our upcoming meetings are listed below and we do hope you have an opportunity to attend one of our meetings which provide valuable information from our Principal and the BOT as both provide reports each month. These meetings also give you an opportunity to meet other parents and we do value your ideas Please drop into Red Desk or email your ideas to [email protected]

April 2014 Page 32 April 2014 Page 33 PTA Fundraising Event General Information Court Theatre Night BOARDING IN 2015 Applications for 2015 are now being taken and close on Thursday 15 May Wednesday 14th May 2014. Application forms can be obtained by contacting the Principal’s Personal 7.30pm Assistant, Judy Collin. Support your school by purchasing your tickets via the PTA – Adults same Please note these dates – and if you are aware of families in your area who may be thinking of boarding as an option for a Year 9 2015 daughter, could you please tell cost as you would pay from the Court Theatre – Students Cheaper! them about the procedure for applying. Every year we get calls from people who are Limited Tickets so Purchase Early! surprised and/or shocked to find the deadline for applying has long passed. Information about boarding is also on our website.

A MESSAGE ABOUT TRAFFIC! Could you please NOT drop your daughter off or pick her up inside the school grounds. Only staff, visitors and delivery vehicles are permitted in these areas. Matai Street is currently even more congested because the main entry to the Chateau on the Park is opposite the school while renovations are being carried out there. Please use Mona Vale Avenue or Matai Street West (over the railway line) for dropping off and collecting students. by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson Students need to be alert when crossing the road between the railway line and the tennis courts on Mona Vale Avenue and Matai Street as there is potential for a SYNOPSIS serious accident to occur. Sherlock Holmes Goes Barking Mad! Terror, mystery and uproarious mayhem ensue Tickets when Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Adults $50.00 Watson attempt to unravel the ancient curse of LATE TO SCHOOL DUE TO AN APPOINTMENT OR ABSENT DUE TO SICKNESS. the Baskerville family before the Hound claims Students $18.00 This information should always be left on the ABSENCE line BEFORE school begins its next victim. for the day. Please do not give this information to teachers in the hope that it will be The Hound of The Baskervilles, the most To Make a Booking Email: passed on. Requests for leave must be put in writing – addressed to the Principal - a popular of all the Sherlock Holmes adventures, [email protected] minimum of 5 days before the event. is brought to life in this slapstick comedy spoof packed full of laughter and suspense. Payments are by Direct Credit: Will Sherlock get his man? Will Henry CGHS PTA bank account Entertainment Book Baskerville get the girl? Or will the Hound get its 12‐3147‐0452558‐00 next victim? It’s your chance to solve the case The school is selling the book again this year; copies will cost $65.00, with $13.00 before the greatest detective of all time. Please include your name and going to the school. Information packs will arrive soon with the eldest daughter in a “Wonderfully baking spoof” – The Daily and reference of “Hound”. family. Telegraph “Gut-bustlingly hilarious” – The Times.

April 2014 Page 34 April 2014 Page 35 KILTS Kilts must be worn hemmed and no longer than between 10 and 20cm from the ground. It is unacceptable as well as unsafe to wear the kilt longer than this. Staff will PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS 2014 be checking to ensure the length is correct. All buttons and buckles must be securely attached - no safety pins are to be used. Please make any necessary alterations Parent Teacher interviews will take place between 4-8pm on: before the start of Term II. Thursday 15 May Winter Blouse: Tuesday 20 May If purchasing a blouse it must be the Christchurch Girls’ High School winter blouse Thursday 22 May and it must be worn inside the kilt. The parent interview evenings will still be in the same format as previous years, with subject teachers located in various Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 rooms and parents moving between rooms for each five minute interview. On each of the three Parent Teacher Interview days the school day will finish at 3.10pm (Friday Times). Granting of Leave On line Booking System As highlighted in the last newsletter, any school must operate under very strict Ministry of Education guidelines with regard to granting leave. We Booking an Interview do not have the discretion to grant leave for any reason. The Ministry requires a specific coding for students who are not in class. 1. Go to the Christchurch Girls’ High School Moodle site “OnStream” This includes everything from truancy to absence for illness, to absence (http://onstream.cghs.school.nz/ ) There is a link on the school for class trips to absence for orthodontist visits for example. Such website (www.cghs.school.nz) coding allows the school (and the Ministry) to track exactly how often a 2. Under the “Parents:” tab select “Parent Teacher Interviews Booking” student is out of class and for what reason – because attendance in class from the drop down menu correlates closely to academic performance. 3. Follow the instructions and link However, we do understand family circumstances can result in requests 4. Our unique school code is LL7XG. for leave. Often we cannot grant them because the reasons do not meet guidelines. If you are unable to attend any interviews please cancel bookings as The letter that is sent in reply is not meant to cause offence but to meet early as possible as others may be waiting for a time slot to open up. You our obligations under these guidelines and point out the impact or are able to log in at any time up to the day before a parent evening is consequences leave may have on learning. occurring to modify your bookings, add further bookings or update your In the end, in these cases, the choice is yours as parents as to whether details. your daughter attends or not. It is your prerogative. If we know why your daughter is absent the coding is simply explained for the records. Bookings will be open from Tuesday 6 May. Pauline Duthie Should you not have access to the internet you can call the school office Principal and bookings can be made for you.

April 2014 Page 36 April 2014 Page 37 SECONDHAND UNIFORM SALES Thank you for continuing to support the secondhand uniform sales. The 2014 CGHS SCHOOL DATES PTA sees this as a valuable service that provides good quality clothing at reasonable prices. We have a good range of sizes in all summer and winter Term dates: uniforms. There are frequent sales, usually the last Friday of each month. 70% Term 1: Tuesday 28 January - Thursday 17 April of the uniform selling price is returned to the seller with the remaining 30% used to benefit the school. Garments may also be donated. Waitangi Day - 6 February Good Friday - 18 April The secondhand uniform sales shop is located at the back of the Gymnasium at Christchurch Girls’ High School, accessed from Matai Street. Payment is by Easter Monday - 21 April cash or cheque only. ANZAC Day - 25 April The next sales are: Term 2: Monday 5 May - Friday 4 July Thursday 17 April - 3.15 - 4.00pm - end of term 1 Queen’s Birthday – 2 June Friday 20 May - 3.15 - 4.00pm Term 3: Monday 21 July - Friday 26 September All garments offered to us for sale must be clean and only excellent quality clothing will be accepted. Please label each garment with owner’s full contact Term 4: Monday 13 October - Tuesday 9 December details. Kilts and blazers are to be dry-cleaned. Labour Day - 27 October The shop is only open on sale days and will not be opened for one-off requests. Show Day - 14 November Payment is by cash or cheque only. Any enquiries please telephone: Monday 8 December – Prizegiving Ann Margaritis Ph. 354 5935 or leave a message.

NEED A WINTER UNIFORM? The PTA Secondhand Uniform shop is holding a sale of winter kilts and long sleeved blouses on Saturday 13 April 2013 from 10-12noon. Other uniform items may also be purchased. The shop has a good range of secondhand blouses and kilts. Blouses range from $15.00; kilts from $120.00. The uniform shop is located at the back of the gymnasium block, accessed from Matai Street. Payment is by cash or cheque only. Ann Margaritis Ph. 354 5935 or leave a message.

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