Wairarapa College Newsletter Volume 5 19th August 2020

Kia ora e te whānau

Welcome to the term 3 newsletter, my first one as Interim Principal for terms 3 and 4. During Upcoming Events the first three weeks of this term I have been welcomed by staff and students and am starting to meet more parents as I become acquainted with the systems and structures of the College 22 August and work to begin a process of review and change to support the Board’s vision and goals for School Ball—Postponed the school. New Ball Date

As you will be aware, we are back into Covid 19 Level 2. We hope to keep working to keep Friday 23rd October students and staff safe and feeling that learning will not be interrupted. This year has been unique in the level of disruption faced, not only by the school, but also the communities that it 25 August serves. From some of my discussions with senior students the lockdown experience opened a Whānau Day greater sense of independence for them. Disruption can sometimes lead to positive change along with uncertainty and interruption. Reflecting on both of those impacts will help us review and move toward a more future-focussed and equitable education at the college. Staff 26 August and some students have indicated that over the past 5 years there has been a decline in school Cultural Photos pride and respectful behaviours. We want to restore that pride. Ideally the culture of the Readers Cup Final— school will reflect these values that you would expect - manaakitanga (care and kindness) , Postponed awhinatanga (support and help) aroha (respect and love for everyone) turangawaewae (a sense of belonging, identity), whanaungatanga, (connections and unity) - values that belong to Yr9 Speech Comp all and will be experienced by all. 28 August We have identified a number of pieces of work as priorities including: Yr10 Speech Comp • Class configurations for year 9 and 10 students in 2021. The organisation and make-up of classes at year 9 and 10 in 2021 will not be based on the Kamar Portal 2021 Sub- results of tests or achievement levels from previous years. This effectively means that the ject Selection Closes school will no longer “stream students”, a practice that has ceased in most secondary schools in the past 10 years. The English Department will apply the non-streaming 31 August practice in years 11, 12, 13 also. Winter Tournament Wk • Opening up the use of digital devices to all students in 2021 so they can access learning face to face and online. The parents of enrolling year 8s (year 9s in 2021) have been Work Experience Wk surveyed and there is a lot of enthusiasm for them to be able to “bring their own STAR Beauty Course device” (BYOD). A survey will go out to the parents of current year 9s to see how many will STAR Vet Nursing also want to purchase a digital device. The school has some laptops that can be used by Spinners & Weavers students in school and we will look at increasing the number of school-based laptops. However, it has been my experience that owning your device is very empowering for students and families because they can be taken home. This provides opportunities for 9 September families to see what is being taught and become more involved in their children’s learning. Wai Intercol Speech Currently many senior students already bring their own device so obviously we would Comp expect that option to continue. I am looking at ways in which we can make the purchase of digital devices affordable. More information to follow. Interhouse Quiz • Staff training in digital fluency is taking place each Wednesday until the end of the year. • Board review of Pastoral Care and Guidance. I am currently working gathering 16-19 September information to see how we could improve this for students. In the short term we have All ShookUp appointed an additional person to student support/Guidance - Olivia McHalick, and a Production mentor/learning coach for identified students - PJ Rimene. We welcome them both to the school.

• Learning Support is well resourced at Wairarapa College and we are reviewing how we can integrate all the services to include behaviour (social/emotional) needs and improve the system to be more co-ordinated with communication going to everyone about the diverse needs of learners . • “The Tip of the Ice-berg” – I am aware from emails that there are strong views, both in favour and opposed, of the stance around grooming and uniform expectations. What staff have found this year (in particular) is a decline in stu- dent respect around following instructions in several areas- uniform, jewellery, using cell phones in class, inappropri- ate language and general lack of engagement. These reflect much bigger issues facing the culture of the school (the extent of the iceberg under the water). We have a set of rules and until such time as the Board has decided to alter the uniform and grooming expectations, we will adhere to what has been stated. We know that there has been a lack of clarity about what is acceptable and unacceptable to the school, including some things that I know all parents will be concerned about. This is a reminder that the “rules” apply to all until such time as they change, and staff will be applying them consistently. • School Culture. The issues below the water of our iceberg are yet to be agreed to by staff. We are working through ideas through the school’s professional learning programme to explore: - how we communicate as individuals and as groups within and outside of the school to express our needs and wants - how to improve engagement of students through improved learning and teaching in ALL classes at all levels - extended curriculum opportunities in year 9 and 10 so students have greater range of rich experiences - assessment strategies that promote student learning and don’t damage students’ belief in their potential and self-esteem - how to build a sense of pride in students and the school, learning ways to “protest” that is not defiant and disrespectful but acknowledges a right to express yourself.

I have appreciated the warm, and welcoming interaction since I started at Wairarapa College. I am impressed by the hard work that goes into the school by Board and staff and I look forward to more opportunities to meet whānau and discuss the issues I have raised in this newsletter.

Ngā mihi mahana Mrs Michele Whiting

Whānau day—Tuesday 25th August

Please put some time aside to meet with your child and their AKO teacher and discuss progress towards their goals and their results to date.

To book an appointment please go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz then enter the event code.

The event code is 5ndzd

Follow the prompts to enter email, your name and student name. In the subject box only select the AKO group your child is in. (Your child will know this; it is on their timetable). In the next box select the teacher’s name. Push go. Select the time you would like to attend.

We realise it is not always easy for parents to attend during the day, but would strongly encourage parents to do their very best to attend this 20 minute meeting. It is vital that your child attend with you.

A reminder that school is closed on this day, as staff are all involved with this academic mentoring programme. The KAMAR portal for 2021 option selection is closing on Friday 28 August

12 English at Wairarapa College becomes an option subject from 2021 and the introduction of ‘Bridging English’

One of the English Department’s goals is to ignite or extend the enjoyment of learning in this subject area. We are, there- fore, offering more choice and flexibility in our courses from next year. This will empower students to find the connec- tions between their interests and aims, and the opportunities given in English to understand the power of language (whether visual, written or spoken). Students and their whānau will be given descriptors of each course, and, with guidance from their English teacher, HOD and Deans, make a choice that suits their aims and in which they can experience success. This more flexible approach will continue to enable the English team to develop and create cross-curricular learning opportunities. New option at Year 12 - ‘Bridging English’

When you know you need Level 2 English for your next step (Trade/Defence force/Tertiary course/apprenticeship), and you have Level 1 Literacy, you would choose this course. You will create an individualised course, with your English teacher, based on your aims and interests. Highly recommended for students in their final year at College who are mov- ing into a career, apprenticeship, or other further training. To allow for this flexibility and differentiation, classes work within the digital platform, ‘Microsoft Teams’. This comple- ments teaching and learning within and beyond the classroom. All students are encouraged to bring a device to use in class, as well as at home. Course Content: A mix of Achievement Standards, as identified as desirable on Vocational Pathways website, as well as Level 2 (and 3 if appropriate) Unit Standards. Students would have the opportunity to work with their teacher to select tasks and topics according to their individual goals and aims. 2020 Senior School Ball

Unfortunately, due to New Zealand entering Level 2 lockdown for Covid-19 we have had to postpone the Senior Ball on 22nd August.

We have managed to secure a new date for this event (third time lucky) taking into consideration catering, music and hall availability. The new date is set for Friday 23rd October 2020. The time will remain the same. We are allowing all senior students who are attending the ball the full day to prepare. (you will not be required to attend classes on Friday 23rd October).

Tickets are still available for purchase at the office and will be handed out on Thursday 22nd October.

Nurse Noticeboard

Protecting Yourself and Others Against Respiratory Illness

HANDWASHING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF

 Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

 Use a tissue and dispose of this once used.

 Always wash hands after coughing and sneezing or disposing of tissues.

 Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes.

 Avoid contact with individuals at risk (eg, people with underlying or chronic illnesses such as immune suppression or lung disease) until the influenza-like symptoms have resolved.

 Avoid contact with people who have influenza-like symptoms.

 Ask others to use a tissue and cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and to wash and dry their hands afterwards.

Waicol Squash Team Success

Mackenzie Tait, Kyra Wyeth, Ella Southey, Ariana Sutton, Olivia Anstis, Mark Steventon, Cayden Cameron, Jackson Clendon, Makaia Sutton, James Grace, Samuel Morris and new Coach Sam Jones are the Waicol Squash Team who recently celebrated success at the New Zealand Secondary School Squash Nationals in Tauranga.

Our girls came 4th and our boys came 13th Wairarapa College won the Co Ed Cup for best boys and girls school combined. Mackenzie Tait was selected at number 2 for the New Zea- land Secondary Schools Trans-Tasman team 2020. Cayden Cameron won the best fair play boy of the tournament.

As mentioned in the last newsletter we had a small group of girls join over 440 other students from across the country for the Girl- Boss NZ experience. Apart from meeting high profile women and making friends around NZ, there was a competition for the participants to produce a written, oral or visual submission to one of five challenges. Anisha took on the first challenge, where participants had to advertise themselves to a policy or law firm. Anisha Satya won one of the Awards and is now being offered a personalised experience with the Ministry of Justice. In her own words “ If it wasn't for the course I wouldn't have had the confidence to go out and invest in my ca- reer and future. It has been a truly eye-opening experience and I can't wait to see how other girls who join the course will grow”. CONGRATULATIONS - Anisha Satya

Heaven Scent Gateway Work Experience

Check out the window display at Heaven Scent in Kuripuni. Briley Matthews (Waicol) and Amelia from Makoura College are both working to- gether to learn about the floristry busi- ness. Thanks Heaven Scent for supporting our rangatahi. POTO COLLEGE HOUSE

ENROLMENTS FOR 2021 OPEN NOW

Each student at Poto College House is considered part of an extended Whanau. We are a co-educational boarding establishment providing a structured environment which supports each child to be successful both in and out of school while developing life skills, pride and individuality. We can provide flexible care for your Child. Poto College House provides the most affordable boarding op- tion in the Wairarapa for 5 and a half days per week, Monday to Saturday. We also offer casual boarding (a minimum of three days per week). You don’t need to live a long way from Masterton to come to Poto College House - You may simply com- mute for work and have a child who is heavily involved in cultural or sport activity after school! Poto Col- lege House offers support a few days a week to ensure your child completes their study, gets to and from their activities, is well fed, in bed at a good hour and at school on time! 2021 Enrolments are open now and places still available for 2020! If you are considering boarding for your child, Poto College House Manager, Stacey Grant, would love to talk to you. Call 027 391 6311 or [email protected]

Poto College House News

Eight members of the Wairarapa College 1st Xl hockey team are boarders at Poto College House. Here they are heading to training in the new Poto College Hostel van purchased by Poto College House Trust, painted by Bodyworks Panel & Paint Greytown and sign written by Metagraphics, Lower Hutt.

The Trust, Poto College House Staff and our Boarders would like to provide Gary Smith of Bodyworks Greytown and Gordon MacDonald from Metagraphics, a big thank you for your ongoing support of the hostel and our endeavours.

We also need to thank the Hostel Parents Association for all the work they do to raise funds for the hostel – without your commitment and support we would not have been able to purchase the van.

Stacey Grant Manager, Poto House 0273916311 Pacific International Hotel Management School- PIHMS

Congratulations to Josh Lock who was selected to attend a Career Week at Pacific International Hotel Management School New Plymouth in the July Holidays.

The format for Career Week was based around the students organising an event in teams. Managing an event covers many different ele- ments of tourism, hospitality and business. This was a great way to demonstrate to the students the different elements of the industry, different career pathways, our subjects and how students learn at PIHMS.

Josh, Jade, Shoanne, Alison, Kiera, Noeremiah

53 students took part in the Career Week. They were split into groups of 6 or 7 and were given the below as a project to plan throughout Ca- reer Week. All elements of Career Week were related specifically to different areas of organising their event.

Industry Reps—Sam, Kristine, Roma and Hayley

On the first day, the students had industry rep- resentatives come in and speak to them. The HR Manager for Craggy Range Wineries Kristine Kilpatrick, IHG Manager Sam Swaffield, PIHMS graduate and Rooms Division Manager Roma Patel from Sudima Hotels and another graduate Hayley Johnston who currently works as a GSA at Novotel. The industry reps did a Q&A session with the parents/family members, and also helped the Career Week students with the initial ideas for their project.

The next Career Week is in the October holidays. www.pihms.ac.nz/career-week.html Early application advisable.

Waicol 1st XI Boys Hockey We’re generously spon- sored by True Dentistry Carterton, Williams Truck- ing and Tinui Freight, Nick Scott Builders, Martinborough Transport – Wairarapa Livestock Transport Ltd and New World Masterton – thank you for your support. Once the boys came out of lockdown hockey hit the ground running, with the season being organised very quickly. The boys have worked really hard at practices and during games, despite the manic start! We have moved to the Hockey Manawatu Intercity competition this year and the boys have played some great hockey so far. Being in this competition has seen more home games and much earlier games when we do travel. It has also offered a different and at times more challenging level of hockey, which is proving good for the improvement of fitness, hockey skills and team-work. We were invited back over the Remutakas for a pre-season game with Tawa College where the boys had a good 4-0 win with goals to Ben, Isaac and Cohen. We then had a warm up game with Cornerstone School at home and scored another 4- 0 win with goals going to Jack, Joel, Ben and Isaac. Our first round of the season saw a well fought game against Rathkeale for the Annear Cup. Rathkeale took this one out 3-1 with our only goal going to Alex. The next three games in the season have now seen us play some great hockey with very close results. Whanganui High saw a loss of 2-1 and then a game against Whanganui Collegiate with a loss of 3-2 with Cohen scoring both our goals. Our home game against Fielding saw another close game of 2-1 with the goal being scored by Ben. We gained a win at our most recent game against Waiopehu College of 3-1 with goals to Craig, Alex and Isaac. Our Captain this year is William Brown who is leading us from the back as our experienced Goalkeeper. William is also play- ing in the Dalefield Premier 1 Men’s Hockey Team. Writing this, the country has gone back into restrictions and we may see some further changes. The boys have worked real- ly hard over the last few weeks and I hope that they all see and feel improvement in their own skills. They are a great group of young men. A big thanks goes to our coach Regan Fricker for giving up a huge amount of time. Thanks also go to all our families and the school community – there is amazing support on the side lines wherever we are playing, videoing games and driving their boys all over the region. Special thanks to Tania Scott for being our away umpire this year and for organising the boys’ hoodies, to Hockey Wairarapa for their support and flexibility and to Mr Van Woerkom for his commitment to hockey at Wairarapa College. Managers: Fiona Nelson and Trudy Sears

Waicol Colts 2nd XI Boys Hockey The Waicol Colts are midway through the season and are a team in progress with quite a few younger players this year, and as a team they are improving every game. A great bunch of boys, it’s good to see the older ones stepping up and taking the lead during games. Even with a shortened season there is great enthusiasm on the turf and from the sidelines. Thanks to Coach Mr Le Roux the team is learning rapidly to work together. Thank you to all the supporters so far. Manager: Mel Backhouse

Waicol 1st XI Girls Hockey The season is now under way for the Girls 1st XI Hockey team after a disruptive start with Covid 19. This year we have moved to the Manawatu InterCity Com- petition which comprises 8 teams from Manawatu, Wanganui, Levin and Wairarapa. Most games are played in Manawatu but it is a stronger competi- tion. This year the competition is shortened to one round with playoffs occur- ring after tournament week, due to Covid disruptions. The team includes 10 returning from last year and 5 new members which are as follows:- Reese Robertson (Capt.), Ana Whitehead, Laura Hartwell, Maddie Taylor, Amy Bunny, Jemima Edwards, Immy Bird, Hannah Donald, Tessa Sandall, Paige Bush, Molly Donald, Grace Hancox, Alana Low, Charlotte Jephson and Georgia Higinbottom. We started the season with a warm up game against Wanganui High School and won 10-0. Our first game of the new competition was against St Matthews which also doubled up for the annual Dunce Cup match. After a slow start the girls managed to work their way back into the game with them nearly levelling the match at 4-4. Unfortunately a late goal meant St Matthews won 5-3 Next up we played Wanganui Collegiate and coming from behind to win 3-2. We then played Fielding High School and came away with a 1-0. Nga Tawa was next and the girls had a good win 13-0. Waiopehu College were next and again coming away with a comfortable 10-0. We have PNGHS and Wanganui High School to play in the remaining rounds. On 23rd July the team went to PNGHS for the annual sports exchange. We came away with a good 3-1, which bodes well for the rest of the season. Hopefully we are attending tournament week, which is a revised competition, due to the Covid disruption. Hockey NZ have organised top tier regional competitions this year instead of Fed Cup. We are playing in the LNI competition at Palmerston North, which includes 12 teams from the Lower North Island Region. Coaches: Willie Schaefer and Sandy Taylor Manager: Hamish Taylor

Waicol 2nd IX Girls Hockey Finally after getting back to school from Lockdown, the hockey trials were able to continue. We had a strong team of 17 but with an injury and another player being moved up to the 1st IX. We now have a squad of 15 great girls. With Kate Milne as coach and Amy Taylor captain, we also have a leadership group of senior players to lead our younger players, who we have 7 year 9 girls in our team. We are back in the Wairarapa comp this year after several years playing in the Wellington comp. After two grading games with a win and a draw, we have been put into the College Girls Grade with Kuranui 1st, Solway 1st and 3 St Matts teams. With 4 of our 5 games played to date we have had 4 wins with no goals scored against us. After this round we will be split top 3 girls teams play top 3 boys teams. So it looks like we will be playing the boys in the next round. Stay tuned on how we get on. In addition to the local competition, we've also enjoyed a day trip away for a college sports exchange with Palmerston North Girls High, where we had a 3-0 win. Our good results this season are a testament to the way the players are working together as a team, and the hockey that they are producing as a result is exciting to watch. We look forward to the rest of the season. Manager: Carolyn Jephson Connected Website The Education, Employment & Training Ministers announced an all-of- government website and service to help New Zealanders connect to the wide range of supports and advice available for their education, employment and training needs. The website is designed to be a one-stop shop for jobs, employer support and training options and is supported by an 0800 number (0800 264 737) and as well as 38 physical locations across NZ. Although the website is not specific to schools and school students it does still provide plenty of useful information considering all of the new education to em- ployment and training initiatives announced over the last couple of months. The ‘Train or Retrain’ link is particularly useful for school leavers. https://www.connected.govt.nz/

Height Safety Course

On the 30th/31st July twenty- six students from Year 12 and 13 Gateway and Transition classes took part in a Level 3 Height Safety course with the provider Safety’n Action. This course was offered to students considering a career in the Trades. Building sites now re- quire scaffolding for working at heights. Students considering building, electrical, scaffolding in- stallation for example were taught the theory and enjoyed some practical exercises as well. WAICOL ROCKQUEST SUCCESS

1st place band – Alpha Centauri (Wairarapa College) 2nd place band – Dragonfly (Wairarapa College) 3rd place band – Dixon’s List (Rathkeale College)

1st place solo/duo – Meg Hunter (Kuranui College) 2nd place solo/duo- Skye Ryan (St Matthew’s Collegiate)

Musicianship Award – Cully Lockyer of Alpha Centauri (Wairarapa College) Musicianship Award – Elle Corlett of Dragonfly (Wairarapa College) Smokefree Best Vocals Award – Thorin Williams of Alpha Centauri (Wairarapa College) APRA Lyric Award – Meg Hunter for Garden Grass (Kuranui College) ZM Best Song Award – Alpha Centauri for Deranged (Wairarapa College)

Video Submissions can be viewed here: https://smokefreerockquest.co.nz/ wairarapa/

H. Wiramanaden

Wairarapa College Breakfast Club

A group of enthusiastic year 13’s have taken the initiative to establish a Breakfast Club, providing breakfast for those students who come to school on an empty stomach for reasons out of their control. We believe that brekky is the most important meal of the day, and without it, research has proven that performance is at a lower rate than what it should be. Attention and application in the classroom are what enables our students to succeed, and without fuel in their stomachs to aid this, we could be achieving less than what we are aiming for. The Breakfast Club is open and all we need now are for students to come and eat! We understand that it can be diffi- cult for people to admit that they aren’t getting what would be seen as the normal, but we are opening a safe, warm, friendly environment for students to come and feel welcome to eat and socialise. Basics such as hygiene, preparing food for yourself, and cleaning up after yourself are skills that every person should be equipped with moving forward and are mandatory in life after school without parents or caregivers. If you know any students who are struggling or coming to school without having eaten breakfast, please refer them to us and we will welcome them into the gym classroom (room 40) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:45am to 8:30am.

The Breakfast Club Wairarapa College

MASTERTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL OPEN EVENING for 2021 enrolments

Meet in the MIS School Hall

Tuesday, 25th August 2019

Prospective students and families are invited to attend from

6.30pm to 8.30pm

Zacks Surf School - Zack Innes

I am starting up my own surfing school for learners and beginners. I have been surfing for 25 years so have plenty of experience and have an absolute passion for it. What I am trying to achieve is to give confidence and joy top young people through the sea and surfing as it is proven to reduce stress and bring peace.

 I have my own gear so can provide if needed  I am offering lessons throughout the winter; Monday, Wednesday, Friday after school hours—all week and weekends  $30.00 per person per lesson—4 maximum per lesson  Contact details are 027 756 7836 or email me at [email protected]