glendowie news
Friday 3rd March 2017 Kia Ora
Athletics Day Upcoming Events: Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the college Athletics Day last Friday, March and a big thank you to everyone involved in the 6-10 Summerfest organisation of the day, including the student house leaders. Thankfully the rain held off until just 7 Junior Social Evening after 3.00pm and we were able to complete all of (7pm-10pm) the events. Go to our FLICKR account (via the 8 Athletics Central/Eastern college website) to see photos of the day. Zone (8:30am-3:15pm) 9 Principal’s Junior Curriculum 2016 NCEA Results Meeting at Library (7pm-9pm) In an earlier newsletter this year, I mentioned our very good NCEA results, 9-12 North Island Rowing Regatta especially at years 11 and 12. I am extremely proud of the work of the students, family and staff to achieve these results. 14 Board of Trustees & Community Meeting at nd Below is a table of some of our final statistics (as of Thursday 2 March): Library (7pm-8:30pm) 21 Taurere Whanau Group Glendowie National National Glendowie Meetings (6:30pm-9pm) College 2016 Decile 10 Average Average College 2015 Level 1 96.2 93.5 85.2 93.0 22 Board of Trustees Meeting (6pm-9pm) Level 2 95.2 94.4 89.0 93.5 27-31 Summer Tournament Week Level 3 92.3 91.4 82.5 91.7 Scholarship 21 35 27-31 Maadi Cup 2017
April This table tells you what percentage of students achieved NCEA at each year level. Please note that, unlike some other schools, we do not remove 1-2 Maadi Cup 2017 students from NCEA to manipulate our statistics. Apart from a small number 2-4 13HIS Bays of Islands Trip who did not enter a full course, e.g. some international students and 6 Parents’ Association Meeting students with special learning needs, 96.2% of ALL year 11 students gained (7pm-9pm) level 1 NCEA. 11 Year 12 RYDA Road Safety As well as benchmarking our students’ achievement against other Decile 10 11 Dance Night at Hall schools (which include independent schools), we also compare our students (6pm-8pm) overall achievement against our internal targets. These are shown in the following table: 13 Term 1 Ends 25 Anzac Day
Glendowie College Glendowie College Target Target Achieved M+E Endorsed May Level 1 96.2 95.0 74.1 75.0 1 Term 2 Starts Level 2 95.2 95.0 60.7 65.0
Level 3 92.3 90.0 53.9 60.0 (For a full list of upcoming events, Scholarship 21 40 35 please see the calendar on the college website.)
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These targets help our staff to ensure we are supporting all students to achieve at the appropriate level. We also use them through the year to track all students’ progress towards achieving NCEA and their academic goals. The Level 1 and 2 endorsement rates are our highest ever and are very pleasing. Gaining a merit or excellence endorsement places students in the top 20-25% of students across the country. To have nearly three quarters of our students achieving this in their first year of NCEA is a great result. Over time, the level of results may fluctuate, such as our scholarship results. As Principal, my focus is that student achievement stays close to or above our targets and Decile 10 averages over time.
Parent – Teacher – Student Meetings Thank you for attending these meetings last week. I hope they were helpful to you and your child(ren). The more frequent the conversation between the school, you and your child(ren) – the better their achievement. Please contact us through the year if you have questions or want some help.
R Dykes Principal
House Captains and Vice Captains
Congratulations to all the House Captains and Vice Captains! And a big THANK YOU to all the teachers who took on the leadership role in organising the House meetings.
Well done everyone!
America – Red Captains Vice Captains Mary-Rose Millett Erin Abernethy Henry Purvis William Young Asia – Yellow Captains Vice Captains Amy Wu Kate Hudspith-Gooch Henry Leabourn Steven Harper Europe – Green Captains Vice Captains Lily Sawbridge Ryan Tatoa Oliver Mallinson Alyssa Tomaszewski Pacific – Blue Captains Vice Captains Nina Dally Lauren Currie Jonathan Rattray Jayden Janse van Rensburg
Mr D Storrie, Health and Physical Education Faculty
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Leadership Day (Year 13)
Year 13 comes with a lot of privilege, but even more so independence. To develop this and ourselves as individuals, students in this year level attended a day of leadership and team building. The event was held at Pakuranga Rugby Club and included sessions on communication, personality type, goal setting, after school transition and creative team building tasks. In order to strengthen the cohort, the group was spilt into 5 socially diverse teams in an attempt to broaden our communication and social horizons.
As students involved in the program, we both felt this solidified our bond and brought our year group closer together. It was the push we needed to actively work outside our comfort zone. Over our four years of high schooling naturally bonds have formed with smaller groups, this day allowed us to break down our metaphorical walls as we prepare for the big bad world outside of Glendowie College.
Participation and interest was high, every student took the opportunity to set in-depth personal goals to aid them through this difficult last year. The station which we found tested our communication acted as a challenge for even those who were working with their closest friends. The task involved one member of a small group of four students describing an obscure tangram to another student. The catch was that they had a chair blocking their vision and their only guidance being the instructions given. This station in particular taught a valuable and practical life lesson of the importance of patience and how to overcome communication issues. We had to understand different peoples’ abilities by putting ourselves in their shoes, and this proved to be a very important skill.
Lots of effort was put into making this day amazing for all the year 13s involved. Special thanks to the station leaders and members of staff – Mrs Hewetson, Mr Singh, Mr Thompson, Mr Chand, Mr James and Mr Keshav.
Kate Hudspith-Gooch (13STE) and Jacqueline Cox (13THO)
Students Drop Off / Pick Up May we take this opportunity again to remind all parents that students should be dropped off/picked up at either Mt Taylor Drive or Riddell Road entrances, and not drive in through Gate 1 or stop at the bus bay. Parents are requested not to drive into the school grounds to drop off or pick up their children.
Thank you for your co-operation.
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College House Names As part of the college's Strategic Plan, the structure of the school's pastoral system is being reviewed. In 2018, the college will change from having Deans being in charge of a year level to Deans overseeing a House consisting of students from Year 9 to Year 13. Form classes will continue to have students of the same year level.
As this is a significant change to the school structure and will increase the importance of the Houses from their current purpose, it has been decided that now is an appropriate time to review the names of the Houses from the current four of America, Asia, Europe and Pacific.
In extended form period this week, students have had the opportunity to discuss alternatives they think may be suitable and share their ideas on a Google doc. Staff will have a similar opportunity to share their thoughts.
If any parents wish to share their views on House names for the college, please email your ideas to Gordon Robertson ([email protected]).
Mr G Robertson, Deputy Principal
Auckland Secondary School Triathlon Championships
A group of our students competed in the Auckland Secondary School Triathlon Championships at Maraetai Beach on Wednesday 1st March in perfect Triathlon conditions.
All of our students worked hard throughout the event with an excellent 2nd place being achieved in the team’s events by our Senior Boys’ team of Liam Brydon (Swimmer), Po-Chen Liu (Cyclist) and Matthew Edwards (Runner).
The next Secondary School multi-sport event is an Aquathon on Thursday, 16th March 2017 at Saint Kentigern College. This is both an individual and team event, involving a sea swim followed by a run. Distances for this event vary for different age groups.
Any students who are interested in competing in multi-sport activities which involve a combination of swimming, cycling, mountain biking, flat water kayaking and running events, please contact Mr Storrie.
Mr D Storrie, Faculty Leader Heath & Physical Education
Contact Details Update
Parents and students, please use the Website/Parent Portal to update your contact details, such as mobile or landline numbers.
Thank you.
Ligi Huka, Student Services
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Sports Update
Cricket
Our Boys First XI have continued on their winning way. They remain unbeaten after chasing down Kelston Boys High School formidable total last weekend. They have a top of the table clash with Howick College this Sunday at home.
Our Girls suffered a loss to Baradene College on Wednesday in a rain interrupted match.
The Junior Boys had a 7 wicket win over Howick College on Saturday, to remain mid table.
Volleyball
Congratulations to our Senior Girls’ team, who had straight sets wins over both Edgewater and Macleans Colleges last week.
Our Senior Boys put up spirited opposition before succumbing to St Kentigern and Pakuranga Colleges in their most recent matches.
Equestrian
We made a successful return to Equestrian competition recently. Georgia McPherson, Zoe Fowler and Harriet Blair finished 4th in the Auckland Secondary Schools Eventing Champs. A great effort and a special thank you to the parents involved.
Athletics Day
Thanks to everyone who made the day so successful last week. Results will be included in the next newsletter.
Mr J Adams, Sports Coordinator
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Duke of Edinburgh in Glendowie College
Never heard of Duke of Edinburgh?
Duke of Edinburgh is a programme aimed at people under the age of 25 to get them involved in their community and in the outdoors in order to develop them both as people and as peers. The programme involves group tramps, service to the community, building on or creating a new skill, and getting involved in sports. Glendowie College is involved in encouraging students to participate in this programme for the reason that it helps to develop them into mature, independent individuals and leaders who are ready to take on the world when they leave school.
Over the years, the Glendowie College Duke of Edinburgh Programme has skyrocketed with approximately 250 students participating this year, which is a record number for the school considering seven years ago the programme began with just 10 participants. The programme’s size shows no signs of slowing down with new and interesting ideas developing to allow more students to get involved; a prime example of this being the Gold Adventurous Journey that took place in December 2016 where, for the first time, students not only took part in a tramping section of their adventure, but were also challenged to two days of kayaking as well.
Bronze Bronze is the beginning level of Duke of Edinburgh where students of all abilities come together to share ideas and skills in order to get a taste of the programme and what it can offer them in the long run. At Glendowie College, this is available to year 10s and involves two overnight tramps along with commitment to trainings, a skill, sport, and service.
“On the 2nd April, a group of very nervous year 10 trampers set off in the Waitakere Ranges. Each group consisted of 6-8 people and a leader. I had an amazing group which was made up by Rose Stringer, Ruby Napier, Jessica Nielson, Niamh Johnson, Bridget Barter and our leader Brooke Clark. We learnt many skills on our trip which will help us all in our future lives. We tramped 20km over the two days. It was a great and enjoyable experience to be able to complete this tramp. I thought we would never make it, but with the teamwork and our amazing leader, we seemed to push through and have a fantastic, fun filled 2 day tramp.” Tayla Clark, Bronze Participant 2016
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The Bronze level is run by Mr R Thompson and Ms S Hancock this year.
Mr Thompson started tramping at just 11 years old in the UK when his parents sent him on Outward Bound, which he remembers completely pushed him out of his comfort zone both mentally and physically, but even through the hardships of dealing with the cold, wet weather and the mental challenge of the programme, he is now encouraging students to do similar things to share his experience of growing as a leader and as a person.
Ms Hancock is new to the school’s programme, but she has much to offer the students in terms of organisation, commitment and passion. Mr Thompson is sharing his knowledge and experience of the school programme with her in order to make her one of the leading organisers of Duke of Edinburgh in the school.
We have 78 participants in the programme this year.
On the weekend of 18th and 19th February, these 78 students had their first experience with the programme, going on an overnight tramp to the Waitakere Ranges with the help of some Gold Duke of Edinburgh student leaders.
“I didn’t know what to expect. My sister also does the programme and she enjoys it, but we’re different from each other, so I didn’t know if I’d like the tramping too. After the weekend away, I think I know more about myself and what I can achieve. It was really tiring, but it was a good insight into the programme and it was worth it”.
Chloe Hefer, Bronze Participant 2017
Silver The Silver level allows students to build on their skills and start to experience more leadership and independence in the programme. This level is also run by Mr R Thompson.
Silver is a big step up from Bronze as tramps are three days/two nights long, meaning for many participants, it is their first time having a full day of tramping and living out of a pack self-sufficiently. Students also have the opportunity to build on their map reading skills and learning tricks with compasses to help them in their future tramping endeavours.
“I liked Silver because I felt like I was pushing myself out of my comfort zone. During the tramps I doubted that I could get to the end, but it was so cool when I did, it felt like such an accomplishment!” Aimee Hefer, Silver Participant 2015
Gold The Gold level is the final stage of Duke of Edinburgh where the skills and leadership learnt over the past two years come into play as the students take charge of their own program and adapt their experiences to suit them and what they want to get out of the programme. Achieving this level is highly recognised after schooling years due to the calibre of the leaders who are developed during the course of the programme.
This level is run by Ms F Smith and Ms J Barrack this year.
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Ms Barrack had an amazing start in the tramping world as she went on her first tramp at the age of ten with her uncle, who used to go tramping with Sir Edmund Hillary. Her experiences with him allowed her to pursue her passion towards the outdoors as she grew up, completing such tramps as Lake Waikaremoana, Tongariro Crossing, and Mt Pirongia, and also becoming involved in the Duke of Edinburgh programme as she started working with schools.
Ms Smith has 12 years of tramping experience and knowledge to share with the participants of the programme. Along with being the mind behind involving kayaking into the course, she also participates in programmes outside of Duke of Edinburgh such as month-long student lead trips to third world countries, which shows her dedication to the students and their development during their time at the college.
In 2016, the Gold participants were treated to a four day kayak and tramp through the Abel Tasman. It was the first time kayaking was incorporated into the programme and was a major success thanks to the outgoing and adventurous nature of the students. Kayaking helps develop a new skill and/or improve and demonstrate another one, letting different students take leadership roles and become even stronger as individuals. The new aspects of the programme allowed students to explore seal islands, see penguins, explore caves, and reach views that only a number of people will have the luck of seeing in their life, not to mention being able to use the same kayaking company as Ed Sheeran did when he visited the location.
“I don’t regret a single second of my time spent on Duke of Edinburgh, from heading on my first Bronze tramp to now, finishing up my service to get my Gold award. It’s been one heck of an adventure, and it’s certainly had its ups and downs, but I loved it. I’ve bonded with so many people I usually wouldn’t have even talked to, and the feeling of accomplishment you get to the end of the Gold tramp is something you’ll never forget. Without Duke of Edinburgh, I’d have never been able to say I volunteer every week, survived the Abel Tasman 4-day adventure, and made friends with so many new people. This was definitely one of the highlights of my time at Glendowie College!”
Katrina Dickins, Gold Participant 2016/2017
If your child is interested in joining the programme, or you are interested in finding out more, please contact the appropriate level organiser by email provided below.
(Organiser, Bronze and Silver) Richard Thompson - [email protected] (Gold) Fiona Smith - [email protected] (Gold) Julie Barrack - [email protected] (Bronze) Sheridan Hancock - [email protected]
Jacqueline Cox (Gold Participant 2016/2017)
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Vietnam History Trip 2018
Vietnam History Trip April 2018
This is the opportunity of a lifetime! Places are limited. This is YOUR chance to experience the history and culture of this amazing country. It is not too late! If you missed the information evening, but would like to find out more, please email Michelle Simpson [email protected].
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Concert Band Fundraising Garden Party at “Ayrlies”
On Sunday 19th March, we are holding a fundraising event at “Ayrlies”, 125 Potts Road, Whitford, Auckland.
Ayrlies website: www.ayrlies.co.nz will enable you to view images of some of the garden. For map and directions, please visit this link: https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Ayrlies+Garden
For further information and enquiries, please contact [email protected]
Mrs C Myhre, Arts Faculty
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