4 December 2020 Kua oti nga- mahi o nga- Kaiako The teachers’ work is done 1 Principal’s Comment It has been a strange year, tough at review over the past 3 years. We want times and still potentially more tough every student to be “known and noticed.” times ahead. But I do think we need to celebrate and look at the positives. Our roll for 2021 is very healthy and Many of our school, sporting and shows the confidence of our community. cultural events did take place in some I do want to thank parents and whanau form. Many students have been able to for entrusting us with educating succeed in all facets of the college and your children. As a parent, it is not a their chosen pursuits outside of school. responsibility I take lightly. In the wider context our country is in good shape and most of us are healthy To all students and staff that are leaving and will have a lot of freedom over the JHC, I wish you well for your future ahead holiday period. and thank you for your contributions no matter how large or small. To those Looking ahead to 2021 we are changing returning I look forward to seeing you the pastoral structure of our form classes again in Term 1. and deans. All students will be placed in form classes according to their house Have a safe and happy holiday everyone! Mike Newell and their form teacher will follow them Principal through the college to Year 13. Deans Noho ora mai no longer have responsibility for a year Kia ora whanau level, they are now responsible for either Mike Newell junior or senior students in their house. Principal Well, it is hard to believe we are at the end We have also created 4 Head of House of the year already. For me it doesn’t seem positions in an effort to revitalise our like April was that long ago when I started house system and improve school spirit at JHC. I am incredibly proud of our school and competition. The main driver for and it is such a privilege to be the principal this change was the significant pastoral of JHC. Whanau Report Kia kaha, kia māia, kia ū Be strong, be brave be resolute Last week our P1 classroom was moved from the Senior Campus to the Junior Campus. This week our year 9 final Māori language project group wasted no time finding a use for the space! Ka nūnui te mihi - Meri Kirihimete. A huge Merry Christmas to all. Mauri ora! Neitana (Nathan) Tane Matua Neitana Tane Parents and students putting down a hangi on the old P1 prefab site PTA Report the many transitions of parents onto the one which the school will benefit from for PTA over the past 24 years. It has been years to come. Thanks again Barbara. wonderful to have someone like Jenny Also, thanks must go to those on the help us navigate the requirements of the PTA who have helped out this year PTA in supporting James Hargest College. with uniform sales, BBQ, Open Days, Jenny was always happy to welcome and and Garden Club. Also not forgetting to encourage all the new parents/caregivers mention our Treasurer and Secretary – on the PTA. She willingly shared her Thanks again for all the efforts. extensive knowledge and experience, for which we are grateful. Thanks again for Hard to believe this is the last newsletter your support Jenny, we wish you well in the for the year – I for one am glad to have put next chapter. We appreciate all that you the Christmas Tree up, and call the year have done to support the PTA, parents and “Done” – the 2020 year will go down as students over the years. one we won’t forget in a hurry. That said I am sure everyone will enjoy the Xmas The PTA Uniform sales for the year will be break and take the time to relax and enjoy held at the Senior Campus on Monday 14th time with family and friends – we wish you December 2020 and Tuesday 26 January all a safe and happy Christmas. 2021. Please feel free to join us at the PTA Monique Shirley The PTA was thrilled to support 50% of the meetings. Dates listed below – We always Chairperson cost of the JHC Hemi Hakena new uniforms, enjoy meeting new parents/caregivers – the students looked amazing in their new Hello to all so please take the time to pop along to uniforms, we look forward to seeing you in the meetings and get an insight/update action. directly from the teachers representative On the 10th November 2020 we held I encourage all to take the opportunity on both campuses, you may be surprised/ our final PTA gathering for the year. At to look at the new JHC Archives/Museum amazed at what information the kids this meeting we welcomed a lot of new that has been a work in progress over this didn’t pass on to you!! parents/caregivers for the first time. It is year. Barbara Jones has worked tirelessly The next meeting will be the AGM on always great to meet new parents and we on getting this up and running. The PTA 16th March 2021 which will be held in the welcome all to come along and join us. would like to say a big thank you to Barbara Brig (above the front office) at the Senior We took the opportunity to farewell Mrs who has led the charge on setting up the Campus. Jenny Elder who has been a well respected Archives Room and JHC historical sites. She Kind regards member of the JHC Senior leadership has started cataloguing the proud history of team. Jenny has supported the PTA for 24 the school. She has a space where she can Monique Shirley years - what an enormous contribution display information, pictures, history etc PTA Chairperson that is!! From a personal perspective, etc. We are grateful she is passionate about Jenny has assisted me and others in this project as it is a huge undertaking, and From the Boardroom Tena Koutou work, perseverance and any success that you have earned. We hope you are As the school year draws to a close and we proud of your efforts and proud of your look forward to next week’s prize giving and college. graduation ceremonies the BOT would like to acknowledge the positive contribution so Have a good festive season one and all! many people make to JHC. To our hard working teachers and support Chris O’Connor staff, thank you for all of your efforts and BOT Chairperson extra care you give to our students to help them succeed. To our parents and caregivers who volunteer their time to attend school camps, coach and manage sports teams, fundraising or the many other ways you support the college, thank you. To our students, well done for your hard Chris O’Connor BOT Chairperson 3 Senior Campus Staff Farewell Jenny Elder Mrs Jenny Elder joined the support has definitely contributed to the current strengths staff at James Hargest College of the Hargest Whanau classes and Kapa Haka group. Mrs in 1997 when she was Elder has also been responsible for interviewing students appointed Deputy Principal. transferring from other schools. These students see Mrs Prior to this, Mrs Elder taught Elder’s warm and welcoming face upon arrival, while also Commerce at Verdon College quickly coming to realise that she is very astute when it and Southland Girls’ High comes to reading character. School. At Hargest she set up the International Programme Generosity is another of Mrs Elder’s many fine attributes. while continuing to teach She has consistently given her time, her ideas and her Accounting and Business energy in many fields. Her leadership of the Leo Club has Studies. However, by 2017 been a particular success. In fact Hargest has the largest and our International Programme most active school Leo Club in the Southern Hemisphere. had expanded to such a The famous round table in her office is often covered with degree that her expertise and raffle items or cans for the foodbank and, more recently, time were being fully utilised in that important area. spectacles and hearing aids. Mrs Elder co-ordinates Hargest‘s involvement in the Walk for Life and is the driving force As Deputy Principal Mrs Elder held many responsibilities. With behind the annual Ball Extravaganza which has raised her background in Accounting it was a natural for Mrs Elder to thousands of dollars for various charities. Our student be involved with compliance systems and strategic thinking. leaders are wonderful but the steadying hand of Mrs Elder She is the Chairperson of the Assessment Committee, ensuring has ensured that all these major fundraising events have run processes are robust, fair and thorough. As Principal’s Nominee smoothly and successfully. The ancillary staff are also on Mrs Mrs Elder liaises with NZQA and is very involved with all our Elder’s radar. Our newsletters and many other communications examinations. Mrs Elder is strongly committed to maintaining have their inception in her office. On a personal level, Mrs Hargest’s outstanding academic reputation. Elder is often the first to send a card to new mothers on the staff, or condolences for bereavements or thank you messages Due to Mrs Elder’s skills in auditing, it was again a natural for work well done. Her unfailing kindness is a testament to a segue to taking responsibility for implementing provisions very warm and caring person.