RONGOTAI COLLEGE

PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER

Week 2 Term 1 (February) 2021

Kia ora and welcome to my first STUDENT ID & CLASS PHOTOS COMING EVENTS newsletter for 2021! On behalf of the staff and Board of Trustees, can On Tuesday 16 February Wednesday 10 February I welcome parents of students new students will have their ID Parents’ Association meeting at 7.30pm in to the college. Following this photograph and class photo the staffroom taken. Please ensure that your newsletter, I will be mailing or Monday 15 February emailing newsletters home at least son’s uniform is in good order Athletics Day 1 at Newtown Park once each month. Newsletters can and he is clean shaven. also be viewed on our website. Tuesday 16 February Student class and ID photos taken School news can also be found on assembly, we awarded Academic our Facebook page. Honours to those students who Thursday 18 February gained Excellence endorsed Athletics finals day at Newtown Park for On Monday 1 February, we certificates for NCEA. We will award selected students celebrated the arrival of over 170 certificates to Merit students in the Tuesday 23 February new students with a powhiri in the next few weeks. Year 9 Parents’ Evening 7pm Renner Hall. It was great to see so many parents and whānau present. Academic Honours for gaining NCEA Thursday 25 February NCEA Information Evening 6pm with Excellence were awarded to Eli Board of Trustees’ meeting at 6pm in the Hopefully this allowed boys to all Ballara, Darcy Boardman, Reuben staffroom quickly feel at home and be part of Campbell, Jamal Fiso, Nicholas the Rongotai family from their first Gibbs, Rakshit Kumar, Jonathan Tuesday 2 March McEvedy Shield at Newtown Park day at this school. London, Tobias Maling, Pranesh Patel, Jonathan Reddell, Joseph Friday 12 March Renwick and Oliver Samuel (Year 13 Interim reports posted 2020 – Level 3), while the following

Monday 22 to Friday 26 March 2020 Year 12 students were also Summer Tournament Week awarded Academic Honours – Henry Allison, Sol Barris, Daniel Monday 29 & Wednesday 31 March Gibbs, James Halka, Bradley Parent interviews Henderson, Thomas King, Christian Monday 29 March to Thursday 1 April Koeck, Matthew Lauridsen, Hugo Winter sports trials New students assembling for the powhiri Lawrence, Dev Patel, Rohan Patel, Archie Purchas, Grainger Scott, Tuesday 30 March Rongotai College Careers Day Wilbur Stanley, James Sutton, ACADEMIC AWARDS Marcel Visser and Maia Waipara. Friday 2 April to Tuesday 6 April At assembly on Friday 5 February, Easter we celebrated the NCEA Year 11 students from 2020 who performance of our students in Friday 16 April were awarded Academic Honours End of Term 1 2020. While I will give a detailed were Reuben Ballara, Hamish Black, review when NZQA releases the Thomas Cobden-Cox, Daniel final results to the public in April, Christie, Flynn Crocker, Liam you will be pleased to know that our George, Jack Harris, Jacob Inch, 2021 TERM DATES students continue to do themselves Jaiden Kesry, Epeli Kilioni, Callum and the school proud. 2020 was a Term 1 Monday 1 February to Mackay, Quinn Marshall-McCaskey, record year of achievement with Friday 16 April Liam McCorry, Miha Mitcalfe Term 2 Monday 3 May to results in all measures of NCEA Matthews, Anaiwan Ojala, Myles Friday 9 July continuing to improve. Owens, Armin Ruckstuhl, Jude Term 3 Monday 26 July to Sneddon, Jacob Timmins, Daniel Friday 1 October Of course, these school-wide results Turner, Oscar Watson and, George Term 4 Monday 18 October to are the consequence of a number of Wells. Friday 10 December individual successes. At this

Congratulations are also due to the large group of boys who gained STUDENT LEADERSHIP 2021 Merit. Well done boys! On behalf Prefects were announced at Prizegiving and, at a special assembly on of the Board of Trustees, I would Thursday 4 February, we acknowledged our student leaders for 2021 and like to congratulate our Year 11, 12 they were presented with their badges. Prefects give leadership and and 13 students of last year on their provide support to other students in the school. Our prefects have an achievements, and thank our staff important role and may well instruct your son to follow proper rules and for their excellent work. Striving to do the right thing when this is not happening. However, their main role be “better than before” is the is to be a role model and provide an example to other students. They challenge that I set for students also assist with the smooth running of the school and organisation of each year. events. We are pleased to announce our prefects for 2021:

Head Prefect Deputy Head Prefect STAFF NEWS Sol Barris Jack Pulford We welcomed five new teachers to Academic Leader Arts Leader the school at the powhiri on the first Dev Patel Milan Sutich day of term. Cultural Leader Sports Captain  Mrs Joanie Erasmus (Science) Bronson Harawira Sam Brown joined our staff in Term 4. Deputy Sports Captain  Ms Nicole Vaughan (Science & Grainger Scott Biology) joins us from Prefects Whangaparaoa College Jay Aiono Bradley Henderson (Auckland). Hugo Lawrence Hamish Lindsay  Mr John Clark (Hard Materials Nick Lowcay Patrick Moore Technology) joins us as cover for Oliver Spicer Dante Uelese Mr Greig who is on sabbatical Jayden Vallabh Zuklifli Yes leave for Term 1.

from left: Mr Clark, Ms Vaughan and. Mrs Erasmus

Mrs Ashley Rawlings (Geography) will also join the staff in Term 2.

Within the school, Mr Matt Eagle (Year 11), Mr Ben Koloto (Year 12), do not arrive by bus must be at son to succeed. To ensure that you Mr Bill Baird (Year 13), have been school by 9.15am. are informed, Mr Reddy (Deputy appointed as Academic Mentors for Principal) will be hosting an NCEA 2021. Information Evening for parents on YEAR 9 PARENTS’ EVENING Thursday 25 February in the All parents / caregivers of Year 9 TEACHER PROFESSIONAL college’s Library at 6pm. students are invited to the college LEARNING - THURSDAYS on the evening of Tuesday 23 It is important that whānau of Year To provide time for staff February. This evening is held to 11, 12 and 13 students who wish to professional learning lessons will be give you the opportunity to gain a better understanding of NCEA starting slightly later on Thursdays. understand our college’s structures attend; parents of students in Year Instead of 8.55am, school will start and systems so that you can best 10 are also most welcome. at 9.15am. No form time will be assist your son in his learning. You held on this day so only five minutes will also be able to meet your son’s of class time will be lost to allow for core subject teachers. The evening BYOD this professional development. The will begin at 7pm in the college’s Rongotai College continues to school day will finish at the normal Renner Hall. encourage students to bring their time and buses will run as normal. own digital device to school for learning purposes. In 2021, we are The school will be open at the NCEA INFORMATION EVENING normal time, of course, meaning again focusing our teaching on using Parents often ask questions that your son will simply have 20 devices, and any student at any regarding how NCEA operates. I minutes to fill in before classes start level may bring a device to enhance think it is vital that you understand if he comes by bus. Students who their learning. NCEA and what is needed for your We have not specified a device that Care) or Mr Venkat Reddy (Director  Students may wear clothing in your son must use – we leave that of Teaching & Learning), or myself. house colours, but may NOT up to you, but devices should be We welcome contact from you. wear bandanas. No face paint is able to access the internet and have permitted. a 7” screen or greater. A device guide provided on our website gives RONGOTAI COLLEGE PARENTS’ Parents are, of course, most more information for you. ASSOCIATION welcome to attend our Athletic This group of parents meet Days. We are looking forward to throughout the year, raising and these enjoyable days. distributing funds to support the boys in their learning and McEVEDY SHIELD enjoyment of school life. New This is an annual athletics members are welcome – this group competition contested between is a great way to continue to be Rongotai College, Wellington involved in your son’s school. Two College, St Patrick’s College (Town) popular fundraisers are held each and St Patrick’s College year with tasks distributed amongst (Silverstream). This event will be the group. We endeavour to share held at Newtown Park on Tuesday 2 I know security is an important issue the load and ensure that no job is March. Further information will be for parents. Students are too onerous. advised in our next newsletter. responsible for the security of their devices. They are able to rent The first meeting for 2021 is to be SPORT lockers from the College Shop for held in the college’s staff room on Welcome back to another exciting $20 if they wish. Wednesday 10 February at 7.30pm. year of sport at Rongotai College. If you have any questions please Whether you are new to sport, play While the school has a number of email Gordon, the Chair of the PA – socially or competitively, there are devices available for students to [email protected] wonderful opportunities to get use, we cannot provide a device for involved. Sport is a great way to every boy. Over the past few years, ATHLETICS SPORTS make friends, build confidence and a growing number of boys have Our Athletics Days will be held at have fun. We strongly encourage made the relatively selfish decision Newtown Park on Monday 15 every student at Rongotai College to not to bring their devices to school February and Thursday 18 February. take part in sport no matter what even though they have them. This and there is truly something for reduces our capacity to help boys Monday 15 February will be for the everyone. With a wide variety of who do not have devices. If you whole school and participation of all sports on offer from the competitive have a device for your son, please students is strongly encouraged, to the social, there is something for ensure he brings it to school. while Thursday 18 February will be everyone. the finals day for those students HOME / SCHOOL who have qualified. This finals Parent Support COMMUNICATION event will be held in conjunction Sport at college is only possible Establishing and maintaining good with Wellington College. thanks to the support of the parents communication between parents and volunteers. We encourage all Both Athletics Sports Days will take and the college is essential for your parents to be involved and engaged place no matter what the weather – son’s learning. If you have any in their son’s sport, whether that be they will NOT be cancelled. through coaching, managing, concerns or questions, you should scoring, refereeing, helping with contact his form teacher in the first  Students are required to make transport, joining a committee or instance. If further communication their own way to the park and to fundraising. There is a field on the is necessary, please contact the report for a roll call at 8.55am. registration form where you can appropriate year level dean. Our  If your son is coming by bus, he indicate how you can assist. deans for 2021 are: should ask his bus driver to drop

him as near to Newtown Park as Year 13 Dean – Ms Esmee McAuley It has been a busy yet satisfying he can. Students will be Year 12 Dean – Mr Nick O’Halloran start of the school year. Thank you dismissed from Newtown Park at Year 11 Dean – Mr Ash Collier for your part in helping your son the conclusion of the day Year 10 Dean – Ms Anne Brailsford settle into the school year. Year 9 Dean – Mr Pemerika Leiataua (approximately 2.30pm) and are required to make their own way Hei konā mai home. Email addresses for deans and all staff are available on the college’s  Please make sure that your son website. dresses appropriately for the weather and, if it is sunny, Kevin Carter For serious concerns contact should provide him with sun block and a PRINCIPAL be made with the Deputy Principals, hat as well as lunch and a drink Mr Geoff Hall (Director of Pastoral bottle. NOTICE BOARD

ATTENDANCE EMAILS The college has an email address for absences - [email protected] Please use this address as a means of advising the school of your son’s absence. Please also advise the reason for his absence.

COLLEGE SHOP The College Shop (selling uniforms and stationery) opening hours, during term time, are now: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

STUDENT LOCKERS The Parents’ Association have provided funding for lockers for students’ use. Students can hire a locker for the year by bringing $20 to the College Shop. They must provide their own padlock.

SNAPPER CARDS & STUDENT ID Students can apply for a Snapper ID card or an ID card, once ID photographs have been taken. Snapper ID cards cost $25 and ID cards cost $10. These can be ordered from the College Shop. Payment must be made at the time of ordering. They will take approximately two weeks to arrive.

SCHOOL BUSES The school bus service is listed below. Metlink encourages students (and parents) to set up the Journey Planner on their phones. This is so they have this as a first start guide-line to assist with their journeys to and from school. https://www.metlink.org.nz/

Mornings 712 7.50am from Miramar 8.10am arrives Salek Street 713 7.45am from Darlington Road 7.58am arrives Salek Street 714 8.00am from Strathmore Terminal 8.20am arrives Salek Street 751 (2 buses) 8.10am from Railway Station (outside Old Govt Building) 8.40am arrives Rongotai College 768 7.50am from Mairangi 8.34am arrives Rongotai College 770 7.50am from Kowhai Park 8.30am arrives Rongotai College 774 7.55am from Houghton Bay 8.40am arrives Rongotai College 782 7.55am from Railway Station 8.22am arrives Troy Street (bottom of Salek St) 791 7.35am from Karori Road (Allington Road) Rongotai Road

Afternoons 754 3.30pm from Rongotai College via Hataitai to Railway Station 755 3.30pm from Rongotai College via Newtown to Railway Station 762 3.30pm from Rongotai College Miramar - Seatoun 770 3.30pm from Rongotai College Vogeltown – Kowhai Park 776 3.30pm from Rongotai College Berhampore – Owhiro Bay

RONGOTAI COLLEGE 170 Coutts St, Kilbirnie, Wellington www.rongotai.school.nz PO Box 14-063, Kilbirnie, Wellington, 6022 www.facebook.com/RongotaiCollege PHONE: +64 4 939 3050 EMAIL: [email protected] www.youtube.com/RongotaiCollegeNZ