sign in sign up
<<
Home , Howick College

Friday 4 April 2014 —Issue 9

Tena Koutou Katoa Selwyn Success Honoured in National Newspaper Selwyn staff and students are very proud of the following article by Nick Jones: A little over six years ago, Selwyn College in was struggling. The Government took over its governance after poor student achievement results, a bitter fight for control by opposing parent groups and the resignation of its long-serving principal. This week, the decile 4 school, which has long had a multicultural roll and special emphasis on the arts, is celebrating the release of stellar NCEA results that underline a remarkable transformation. Last year, 93 per cent of Selwyn students sitting NCEA Level 1 passed. Pass rates at Level 2 were 94 per cent, and 90 per cent at Level 3.Compare that with the 2006 pass rates: 39 per cent at Level 1, 47 per cent at Level 2 and 49 per cent at Level 3. Leading education expert Professor John Hattie has described the progress as some of the most marked he had seen. "It is the evidence that leads to these comments. And it is stunning. And that this was achieved in such a short time shows what can happen with inspired, passionate leadership with a laser focus on students." Selwyn, which is on the boundaries of the wealthy Auckland suburb of Kohimarama, has delivered brochures to local homes trumpeting its turn-around. "I was trying to spread the word," explained principal Sheryll Ofner. "Things have certainly changed." Although Selwyn has no enrolment scheme, many children of residents in Auckland's upmarket eastern suburbs are effectively zoned for the school by being excluded from the zones of other state schools. Near the height of its troubles, in 2007, only about 15 per cent of the students lived in the area. Ms Ofner said a roll decline had reversed in recent years and there were about 930 students today. The Ministry of Education predicted a Year 9 intake of 166 students this year, and 233 enrolled. "We are growing rapidly at all levels. You've got interesting developments happening, where you might have had only one physics class at Year 12 and now there will be two physics classes and two chemistry classes." The majority of the past couple of years' intake of students were locals, Ms Ofner said, and feeder schools such as St Thomas reported almost all students going on to Selwyn. In the past the secondary school was criticised by sections of the community who said its focus on the arts came at the expense of other subjects. Tensions came to a head in 2007, with bitter in-fighting among trustees and opposing parent groups taking out newspaper ads, setting up websites and sending out newsletters. The following year, the Government overthrew the newly elected board of trustees and put the school under the control of a commissioner. Continues overleaf

Selwyn College, Kohimarama Road, Kohimarama The commissioner and Ms Ofner, who had only recently been used to be, 'Oh, you attend Selwyn?' But now it's a more positive made principal, oversaw changes which, according to the latest reaction." glowing Education Review Office report, led to a "significant Ms Ofner, who lives locally herself, came to Selwyn after working transformation". at Howick College and . Better use of each student's achievement data, new and She said she took the job with her eyes wide open and in the renovated buildings, improved teaching practices and a central expectation she was being employed to lead drastic change. "So focus on academic performance were cited as reasons for the that's what we set out to do, and it's been really exciting, and I improvement. Selwyn now assigns each student a teacher to act must say a lot of work." as a mentor to help make sure their study will open doors to The school still had "exceptionally high" standards in the arts, but university or the workplace. its focus was as much on other subjects and extracurricular Head students Satya Sebenik and Callum Findlay, both 17, started activities, including sports, Ms Ofner said. "A state secondary there in Year 9 and have noticed a change in culture, with a school, in my view, is there to serve the needs of the local stronger focus on academic performance. Callum, who lives community. And the local community want the best possible locally, said that shift extended to how people in the community school for their students, and that's the bottom line." viewed the school. "When Selwyn had a bit of a bad reputation, it

Notice of Paid Union Meeting

The PPTA has advised us that there will be a paid union meeting for all teacher members on Tuesday 8th April. The purpose of the meeting is to brief all members on the Education Amendment Bill currently before the House. As almost all of our teachers are union members, normal classes will finish at 12.30pm that day. The Library will be open for students who need to remain at school and they will be supervised by non-union members.

Selwyn College Tuckshop Menu Online Students and parents/caregivers can order food from the school cafeteria online. You must order and pay online by 9.30am and then food can be collected by students (with their ID card as identification) at Break 2. Go to www.schoollunches.co.nz and register to purchase your food online. Student Absence Line Number Selwyn Community Education Parents are asked to phone the School New Courses Starting first thing in the morning once they know their son/daughter will not be attending Architecture Series Starts school that day (521 9610 ext 1). Could The Development of the NZ House 8-Apr-2014 you please record your son/daughter’s School Holiday Courses African Dance Children's Holiday Workshop 22-Apr-2014 full name, year level, reason for absence, Creating With Clay 22-Apr-2014 date they will return plus a contact name Make Your Own African Musical Instruments 29-Apr-2014 and telephone number. Evening Courses Tinnitus - Causes and Options 8-Apr-2014 Following your son/daughter’s absence Look Ten Years Younger without Plastic Surgery! 14-Apr-2014 please ensure that they bring a note to Speechcraft: Public Speaking and Communication 1-May-2014 school or medical certificate for their Create your own Android Mobile Apps 5-May-2014 Mentor teacher. How To Make More Money and Think Like An Entrepreneur 5-May-2014

Spanish Beginners 5-May-2014 Student Office Hours Explore Bush and Beach 1-May-2014 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3.30pm See our website www.selwyncomed.school.nz for details and enrolments or phone 521 9623

Student Leaders Visit St Cuthbert’s Yesterday Callum Findlay, Satya Sebenik, Angela Kotevska and Cameron Thaver went to the Saint Cuthbert’s Luncheon for Head Prefects. We met with student leaders of other schools including , Baradene, Epsom Girls, Auckland Grammar, Auckland Girls Grammar, Kings, Dilworth, Sacred Heart and many other Central Auckland schools. We enjoyed lunch and participated in bonding activities and learnt about each other’s schools. It was interesting to see how different each school is compared to ours. We would like to thank Saint Cuthbert’s for warmly welcoming us to their school.

REAF Celebrates 10 Years Last Saturday 29th March REAF celebrated three events - 10 years of the REAF programme onsite at Selwyn College, 10 years of the Carol White Family Centre, and the 80th birthday of one of REAF's founders - Roy Clements. A warm and sunny afternoon saw a large crowd of well-wishers gathered on the REAF lawn for delicious food, entertainment by the Selwyn Community Arts Theatre and cake cutting. Congratulations to all involved."