BULLER HIGH SCHOOL Te Kura Tuarua-o-Kawatiri

33 Derby Street, Telephone: (03) 789 7299, Fax: (03) 789 6790, Email: office@buller.ac.nz, Website: www.buller.ac.nz, PO Box 87, WESTPORT 7866

Issue 8 July 2018

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: office@buller.ac.nz

Kia ora Koutou As I write this, we are coming to the end of a very busy term and indeed a very busy three weeks since the last newsletter. We have just completed three of the major events on the school calendar; the School Production, the Motueka Sports Exchange and of course, the School Ball. The School Production. “Guys and Dolls Jr” was an amazing show; it was professional, entertaining and it was fun to be there. It made me feel very proud to be part of Buller High School. A huge well done to Mr Haussmann and Mrs Halsall for the direction and production, the talented cast and backstage crew who

made it all happen.

Well done to all those students who took part in the Motueka Exchange last Monday. Even though we did not take the trophy, the attitude and performances were a credit to you all and the school. This was one of the biggest sports events for the school that I can remember with 110 visiting students taking part. I would like to thank all of those parents who supported the school by taking billets and also by providing food for the afternoon tea. A huge thank you to Mrs Cargill for her organization of the day.

On Saturday night we had the School Ball. The theme was “The Carnival” with the Ball Committee going to great lengths to deck the hall out accordingly. It was a wonderful evening with everyone enjoying themselves and it was fantastic to see the effort that everyone went to on the night.

Reports have been posted out and also published on line. With seniors in particular being over half way through their courses, it is hoped that their reports reflect that they are on target to reach achievement goals. As we are not holding a parent meeting this time, should you have any concerns, please contact either the teacher concerned directly or the house teacher.

The end of the term sees us farewell Dr Mark Caplen and his with Ruth, both of whom have given great service to the school over the last two years. Dr Caplen has been instrumental in leading and lifting mathematics results in school, while at the same time involving himself fully in sports and wider school community. Dr Caplen’s wife Ruth has very quickly become a key part of the school administration team and is presently standing in for Mrs Batt while she is on leave. We wish them both well as Dr Caplen heads off to take up his new role as Principal of South Westland Area School.

While we work to replace Dr Caplen, mathematics staff have stepped up to make sure all Mathematics classes are covered until an appointment is made. We also would like to welcome Melissa Rainbow to the administration team to fill the gap left by Mrs Caplen.

I wish all staff and studnets a happy and safe holiday and look forward to seeing you all back in term 3.

Kia ora koutou With the end of the second term upon us, I hope the school year is progressing well for our students and staff. It was a busy term for all with the Senior Ball, the Motueka sports visit, and the recent leadership camp all providing lots of fun, challenge and learning opportunities for students. One of the absolute highlights was the fantastic “Guys & Dolls Jr” production which wowed the local audiences, and which the community is still talking about today. The talent of our staff and students is just amazing, and productions like this are a wonderful showcase for their efforts to continue to build excellence in our arts and culture within the school.

During the term, the Board of Trustees gave their extra time to attend an NZSTA Governance training course held in Westport to refresh and sharpen our collective skills as a Board. It was a great opportunity for us to align on the key elements of our role as Trustees for the school, and also to meet several Trustees from other schools in the District that joined the session. It was a good reminder that taking the time and care to continue our learning and development applies to all of us, and that learning really is a life long journey.

At our most recent Trustee meeting we had some great presentations and discussions that explored a number of key topics, including an excellent presentation by Jayshri and Laiza regarding student leadership development opportunities within the school. They took us through the very wide range of leadership development opportunities that have been built within the school, and we would encourage all students who would like to be considered for such positions to take the step and put their name forward. Such roles are a great chance to learn and develop key leadership skills that will serve you well at school and beyond. We also had a great discussion with Mrs Jar regarding some very recent work she is leading, with regards to students identifying and exploring barriers and enablers for learning, and are looking forward to hearing more on this exciting work as it develops. Finally, Dr Caplen shared with us an overview on the Mathematics Department and the Board was impressed with the results that are being generated. The combination of applying systems such as easTTle and a pure passion for mathematics are clearly engaging students and delivering significant improvements in the learning outcomes at all levels. We will certainly miss Dr and Mrs Caplen, but they leave with our sincere thanks for their efforts and contributions during their time with us, and our very best wishes for the future.

FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL principal@buller.ac.nz

Buller High School Senior Ball

Mexico Robotic Trip Update Our four Year 13 students who will be heading to Mexico City to represent New Zealand are busy fundraising alongside designing, building and programming our robot. We have booked our flights and are now working on the rest of our travel plans. We would like to thank Campbell & Associates, University of Canterbury, BP Westport and those who have donated anonymously for their support so far. If you would like to know how to support us please contact Jessica.wilkes@buller.ac.nz Our four selected students are: Kai-Phoenix Freeborn, Tamsin Schrader, Laiza Abellanosa and Jazper Hamilton. They will be accompanied by Jessica Wilkes (Coach).

Board of Trustees Student Election

It was again awesome to have Mareka Hicks as a tuakana, supporting our senior Buller High Māori students at the recent Tuia Te Tai Poutini wānanga at Te Tauraka Waka a Mauī marae in Makaawhio/Bruce Bay. We travelled down in convoy with other ākonga Māori from JPII, Grey, and Westland High, and arrived to a warm welcome from the hau kāinga, and awesome kai. Highlights were: being told some of the history depicted in the stunning carvings in the whare, hearing a kōrero about aotea (a type of kohatu which is sourced from somewhere up the Makaawhio awa), and whakawhanaungatanga – just meeting up with and strengthening connections with rangatahi Māori from across Te Tai Poutini/the West Coast. Photo from left: Mareka Hicks, Jake Griggs, Tamsin Schrader, Temeka Ashby, Christy Bremner.

Makaawhio/Bruce Bay

2019 Student Trustee Elections

Nominations open on Thursday 16 August

and close at

12 noon on Thursday 30 August 2018

Anika James is the current Student Trustee

BREAKTHROUGH TO BETTER EXAM RESULTS!

“Passing Exams”

Patrick Sherratt (Med Hons, BA, Psych) Author of How to Pass Exams Public Speaker and Trainer www.passingexams.co.nz

IN-SCHOOL STUDENT SEMINAR GREYMOUTH HIGH SCHOO

TUESDAY 17 JULY, 6.30 - 8.00PM The Passing Exams seminar offers a five-step exam preparation strategy. Together with practical solutions to many typical challenges students face. These include:

Being distracted or unable to concentrate!

Trouble retaining information quickly!

Problems with time and coping with stress!

THIS SEMINAR WILL HELP! COST: $20.00 or $30.00 for two from the same family. To book your place, please contact Greymouth High School office for registration and payment can be made at the door on the night.

Information for students and their parents, whãnau or caregivers for 2018 NZQA Qualifications

NZQA FEES: These are due to be paid to the school by Monday 3 September. How much does it cost?

Fees for Domestic Students How do I pay?

Can I get help to pay?

If you are a Domestic Student, you can apply for Financial Assistance if your family cannot afford to pay your fees. To get this help, your parents or caregivers must meet one of the following conditions:

be receiving a Work and Income or Study Link benefit or have a Community Services Card

have joint family income that qualifies for a Community Services Card

have two or more children entered as candidates with fees more than $200

How do I get help to pay?

For more information please contact Bryan Forsyth, 789 7299 ext 825

Fees are paid to your school or kura who collect them on behalf of NZQA.

Paying your fees will enable your results to be recorded on your Record of Achievement and to receive any certificates.

Your school will pay all the fees they have collected to NZQA by 3 September.

If you have not paid the School on time, you will have to pay NZQA directly. After 1 December, NZQA will add a $50.00 late fee.

To get financial assistance you have to fill in a Financial Assistance form and give it to your school. You can get this form from your school or the NZQA website: www.nzqa.govt.nz/financialassistance

Any standards $76.70 per candidate

Each Scholarship subject $30.00 per subject

SCHOOL CALENDAR

25 July: Badminton, Hokitika 27 July: West Coast Science Fair, Greymouth 1 August: Senior Netball, Hokitika 2 August: Open Night 6 August: Prefect Applications open 7 August: Senior Volleyball, Westport 14 August: Mexico Robotics Trip 14 August: Senior OE Alpine Trip, Temple Basin 17 August: Robotics Junior, Christchurch

TERM DATES:

23 July: Term 3 begins 28 September: End of Term 3 15 October: Term 4 begins

Winter Tournament Week 2 to 7 September 2018 Heads up to parents

The following teams will be attending the tournaments: Junior Girls Basketball - Timaru Senior Girls Basketball - Westport Senior Boys Basketball - Blenheim Girls Senior Netball - Dunedin Girls Football - Dunedin Girls Hockey - Gore Boys Hockey - Greymouth All students attending will receive letters of confirmation for attendance and requesting payment of fees in the coming weeks.

Coming up

Junior Dance 2018

Happens on Friday 21 September 7 - 10pm

Watch this space…………...

Buller High School Open Night

Thursday 2 August

5.15pm - 6.45pm

All parents/caregivers, students and families

are invited to visit Buller High to view the exciting educational, cultural and sporting

opportunities which are available for all students at our School

Wanted-Bike Wheels The Level One workshop metal students are making “Dirt Surfers”.

They need old bike wheels (20”).

Any donations of children’s or BMX bikes would be greatly appreciated, please contact me on, rex.collins@buller.ac.nz

WEST COAST SCIENCE FAIR Where: John Paul II in Greymouth When: Friday 27 July from 9am to 2.30pm This year, Buller High School is sending the ten best projects from our recent Buller Science Fair. This event is open to the public and is a great chance to see what budding West Coast scientists are doing. See you there.

Buller High School Science Fair

VERTICAL HOUSE CLASS PROPOSAL

The School is exploring changing to a vertical house class structure. This means that each house class would be made up of a mix of Year 9 - 13s with a maximum class size of 25 students. Each house would have four classes overseen by a House Dean. Siblings could be in the same house, but not necessarily the same house class.

Positives for your child: Provides leadership opportunities for senior students. Helps junior students transition to High School. Opportunity for more personalised Peer Support. Helps build House culture by providing opportunities for teamwork. Information from other schools using a vertical house class structure: More accurately reflects the nature of society with different age groups

working together. Older students take on responsibility for induction of younger students and positive relationships between students' flourish. Students can observe the school journey through other students before it is their turn. Enhances pastoral care through a more holistic approach. The Student Council will be collecting student voice. However, we would welcome your feedback on this proposal. This can be done by completing the online form using the following link or QR code, or collecting a paper copy from the office. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8UsvgeeW5k2gcvhkpODpnF6Ah7mAKr5Oshf1dzKUBwBUNk9WTkRDVldRQVpYQ1ZQVU9MVTZUVkg4Uy4u We would appreciate if feedback could be provided by the end of Week 1 next term (Friday, 27 July). Thank you.

Applications for Prefects will be

available from the School Office on Monday 6 August.

PREFECTS 2019

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES???

&

HOD MIRIAM COMESKEY miriam.comeskey@buller.ac.nz Years 9-10: MELISSA BASHER melissa.basher@buller.ac.nz Years 11-12: JACQUI CHRISTIE-CUMMING jacqui.christiecumming@buller.ac.nz Year 13: MIRIAM COMESKEY miriam.comeskey@buller.ac.nz

In this feature of our newsletter we offer advice,

tips and suggestions about careers

and study.

www.careers.govt.nz

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR we will keep you up to date

with current thinking on Career Education and with what is happening in our Careers Department.

OUR CAREERS TEAM

STUDENT EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES

Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is an Australian organisation which offers global educational experiences to countries such as the USA, Canada,

France, Italy, Germany and Japan. They have a number of exchange lengths – 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months (a semester) and 10 months (a ‘year’).

There are 2 scholarships available for Year 10-12 students for the 3, 6 and 10 month programmes; applications close Monday 16th July — the 3 month programme departs in October 2018 and the 6 month and 10 month programmes depart in January 2019

YEAR 13:

University of Canterbury Open Day on Thursday 12 July.

Lincoln University Open Day on Friday 20 July.

Scholarship Opportunity — the PwC School Scholarship is for those look-ing at a career in the business sector. $7,000 for university fees and course costs, a mentor and a paid summer internship are provided. Applications close on 3 August. Go to https://www.pwc.co.nz/careers/pwc-school-

scholarship.html for information on how to apply and who is eligible.

PRACTISE ACTIVE LISTENING Concentrate and avoid distractions when a person is presenting, by:

Concentrating on the main points being made

Thinking about what the speaker is saying

Paying attention to how things are said (gestures, tone of voice, etc.)

Avoiding talking or thinking about problems when listening

As you start thinking about potential educational and career paths, we are highlighting 10 important things to remember. This time the advice is:

It’s great to have an ideal plan for your life, but things can happen and your plans may need to change … so keep your options open. Some of your friends, or perhaps you, already know, or think you know, what you want to do in life. If so, that’s fantastic, but don’t become so short-sighted that you lose sight of other interesting opportunities. There are career paths that have not even started yet that may be big in the future.