Rotorua Girls High School

Bulletin #1

Congratulations to our 2016 Student Leaders

Jordyn Tereu Head Girl

Chantelle Cobby Deputy Head Girl

Awatea Leach Deputy Head Girl

Savani Kannangara Academic Leader

Courtney Wiggins Deputy Academic Leader

Gabrielle Jones Arts Leader

Jordan Andrews Deputy Arts Leader

Rilee Rehu Sports Leader

Te Rima Walker Deputy Sports Leader

Mapihi-Kahurangi Tini Witarina House Leader

Stacee Maki Deputy Witarina House Leader

Te Aroha (Caitlyn) Hemi Taini House Leader

Xianar Pike Deputy Taini House Leader

Shakalia Katene Makereti House Leader

Judaea Newton-Te Riini Deputy Makereti House Leader

Top Scholars with Excellence Endorsements

in 2015 NCEA Examinations

2015 NCEA Level 1 2015 NCEA Level 2

Across the Principal’s Desk

Date: Friday, 12 February 2016 Ka nui te mihi kia koutou katoa Dear Parents and Caregivers He pai te titirohanga ki ngā mahara mo nga rā pahuri Engari ka puta te maramatanga I runga I te titiro whakamua It is fine to have recollections of the past. But wisdom comes from being able to prepare opportunities for the future. If we want to achieve our future goals, there is nothing wrong with keeping an eye on where we come from, and making sure we are still achieving our goals for the future. 2016 requires us to look ahead. John Hattie, a renown world education expert and consultant states “just doing more of the same is not going to fix it. Neither just being obsessed about achievement alone will fix it either”. We are now looking at our practices and thinking how we can not only do things differently, but for the betterment of the girls. Welcome to existing and new parents. 2016 marks my third year as principal of Rotorua Girls High School. The last two years have been exciting, interesting and diverse, hard work and stressful. All the things you expect for a school striving to build a quality learning community where relationships count and excellence is expected of all of us. Measurement of our success can be seen in the growing achievement of girls academically first and foremost, socially and in sporting and cultural success. I would also like to take the opportunity to introduce and welcome new staff members.

1. Mrs Yvette Nelson B.Sc Mathematics HOF of Mathematics

2. Zishan Zhang Teacher of Mathematics and ESOL BA –double major in Mathematics and Linguistics

3. Mr Geoffrey Schekell BHort (Hons)

4. Mrs Donna McHugh Master of Music, Bachelor of Music (Hons)

5. We welcome back Mr Ian Woon BEd, BSc,

We are fortunate to be able to attract such a high quality set of staff appointments and this has also supported to a large extent the excellent start to our new school year.

2015 Academic Achievement- We wish to congratulate all our students who were successful in passing NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3 last year. Our provisional results show a positive growth in all three levels including University Entrance as shown in the statistics below:

ROTORUA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL - 2015 PROVISIONAL RESULTS - PARTICIPATION DATA - NCEA as at 1 February 2015

NCEA

Year Level

2015 Provisional Results

01/02/2016

2014

Final Results

1 90% 82% (106/130)

2 98% 93.5% (100/107)

3 86% 62% (72/116)

UE 54% 32.8% (38/116)

As principal it has been pleasing to see the considerable shift in our achievement rates across the board over the last two years, and this has been a result of strong leadership throughout the school. Senior Leadership and Management Team, Heads of Faculty Leadership Team, Year Level Deans Leadership Team, Support staff, focussed professional learning but more importantly most of our classroom teachers have taken on board the changes within the school and the strategies and initiatives that we continue to consolidate. Teaching and Learning continues to be our core business. I am a firm believer that every student enters our gates with talents and it is our role and responsibility to provide an environment where these can be identified, nurtured and extended. Quality in all that the girls do is expected in a progressive and innovative educational setting where competition and thinking outside the square are encouraged, evidence is achieved and success is rightly acknowledged.

90% 98%

86%

54%

84% 87% 81%

61% 72%

80% 70%

37%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 UE

(% R

esu

lts)

(NCEA Year Levels)

ROTORUA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL NCEA ROLL BASED PROVISIONAL PARTICIPATION DATA

COMPARED WITH NATIONAL AND DECILE 3 GIRLS SCHOOLS IN 2015

as at 1 February 2016

RGHS

NATIONAL

DECILE 3

The bottom line is our expectations are high for our young women, at Rotorua Girls High school where , ‘Every Girl Counts ‘and ultimately ;our goal is to ensure that every girl has a future pathway. Our vision is to be the school of choice for girls’ education in Rotorua through offering rigorous, content –rich programmes and matching these with high expectations and quality teaching in our classrooms. We are delighted that all of you have chosen RGHS to be your school of choice. Congratulations to our 2015 Year 13 students, some who have already left Rotorua for their next step in their learning journey at a tertiary level:

CONGRATULATIONS

The Willingness to LEARN Engaging to ACHIEVE Airi Takahashi - received a New Zealand Scholarship for Photography. New Zealand Scholarship is

regarded as the most prestigious secondary school award available in New Zealand. Students are required to demonstrate a very high level of critical thinking and clear application of knowledge, skills and ideas. The students gaining New Zealand Scholarship are the best of the best and their hard work throughout the school year is reflected in these results.

Airi was also our Dux and completed 5 years of secondary education with 100% attendance every year.

Westend New world Scholarship ($1000)

University of Otago Dux Scholarship ($6000)

University of Canterbury Dux Scholarship (up to $5000) Airi will be studying a conjoint Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in Criminology at Auckland University We also congratulate Montana Mareroa (2015 Head Girl) and Kirsty Lickfold (2015 Sport’s Leader) who were awarded Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust Tertiary Bursaries this week at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

Montana also received

the Westend New World Scholarship ($1000)

Auckland University Entry Scholarship for Business and Economics ($2500)

Montana will be studying a conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce at Auckland University.

Kirsty Lickfold is studying a Diploma in Christian Ministry at Pathways this year. In 2017 she will begin teacher training at Waikato University.

Excellence Endorsements Level 1

First Name Last Name NCEA Level Number of Excellences

Billie-Jo Mareroa 1 104

Alyssa Mae Pineda 1 102

Sophie Jansonius 1 89

Atawhai Ngatai 1 89

Kayla Kautai 1 79

Chelsea Pita 1 76

Keighley Jones 1 72

Dennise Lorilla 1 67

Kirsten Purdie 1 67

Sasha Zhukova 1 65

Rangipurei Manley 1 64

Levius Hitchens-Chapman 1 62

Te Waiarangi Manley-Merito 1 60

Hannah Mareroa 1 58

Yunus Asby 1 55

Pia Padayhag 1 54

Anahera Teinakore-Curtis 1 54

Eunice Obuyes 1 51

Kalani Bosley 1 50

Level 2

First Name Last Name NCEA Level Number of Excellences

Chantelle Cobby 2 109

Savani Kannangara 2 94

Grace Wilson 2 82

Zahli Tukapua 2 81

Tiara Winsor-Ngamata 2 66

Jordyn Tereu 2 65

Awatea Leach 2 64

Maakarini Nelson 2 60

Georgina McPhee 2 56

Xianar Pike 2 56

Laura Castle-Mann 2 55

Gabrielle Jones 2 55

Courtney Wiggins 2 55

Te Aroha Hemi 2 52

Jordan Andrews 2 50

Level 3

Airi Takahashi 3 90

Ishanee Illangasinghe 3 83

Nathalie Macfarlane 3 63

Kirsty Lickfold 3 59

Victoria Thompson 3 57

Kanwarpreet Kaur Kahlon 3 55

Montana Mareroa 3 54

Amber Prouse-Morris 3 50

With these results, congratulations must go to all our students of 2015 and their teachers for these excellent outcomes and we wish all our 2016 students an even more successful year of academic achievement as they continue to raise the bar across the cornerstone of Academic Endeavour. In looking toward 2016 we have set an 85% pass rate as a target for Years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 with a 95%+ pass rate in NCEA Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy. It has been a smooth start to the year for the school. And while we continue to review teaching loads, class sizes, extra-curricular involvements and organisation, we are happy with how things have gone so far. Despite a very busy start to a new year and looking at things differently, learning and achievement will continue to be our priority. Our talk with the girls to date has been that this is our core business and needs to be theirs.

However, in the Senior school particularly, there are a worrying number of girls who work long hours in paid employment and have extra curricular overloads. We wonder how they can even manage to do what is required to successfully achieve their respective NCEA levels. This is something that we will be exploring with the girls. We need to ensure that first and foremost girls achieve personal excellence and be the best they can. With your support too, we can help the girls be successful students which will enable them to have successful adult lives and be leaders in the global environment. Ngā manaakitanga Ally Gibbons – Principal

Our leaders for 2016 At our first Top Scholars and Prefects Investiture Assembly our Head Girl Jordyn Tereu and her two Deputy Head Girls for 2016 , Chantelle Cobby and Awatea Leach delivered their inaugural speeches to the school. From left to right: Awatea Leach (Deputy Head Girl), Jordyn Tereu (Head Girl) and Chantelle Cobby (Deputy Head Girl)

Head Girl 2016, Jordyn Tereu delivered the following inspirational speech:

Leaders They are not born, they are made. They are shaped by society Strengthened by life experiences and made by the people. Kia Orana My name is Jordyn Tereu and today I stand before you as a young woman aspiring to lead the youth of today, with passion and integrity in hope to not only make a difference within our school or community, however big or small, but to leave a legacy to be remembered. Because in life we ALL want to be someone, we all want to be a “somebody”, we all seek a purpose. Stepping through the gates of Rotorua Girls High School in 2012 as a year 9 student I lacked self confidence, self-esteem, and also the sense of purpose and identity. I didn't know who I truly was I didn't know where I was going in life I just didn't know…. And from this experience I can say that the journey to seeking purpose and identity is a tough road to be travelled. I have quite often wondered what is identity? What is purpose? Identity is more than just a name, it is more than knowing where you come from. For me identity is what you build everyday, it is your values, your beliefs, your flaws, your dreams, your IDENTITY is you. It's knowing who you are inside and out, back to front. The great thing about discovering your identity is that quite often you also discover your purpose. Purpose is the reason to live, the reason why you get out of bed in the mornings, the reason why you take knocks and blows from life head on, and head strong, it is the reason why you can look failure in the eyes and say “I'm not giving up… Not today…. Not ever” Because until you live your life with purpose, you have to think to yourself…. Are you really living at all? Growing up throughout the years here at RGHS, from a young teenage girl maturing into a young adult, life has given me many reasons to cry and many reasons to smile. I have been strengthened by my failures, and become humble through my successes. I have met amazing people along the way and I am priviliged enough to be finishing off the last chapter of my time here at RGHS with them right by my side. I have found my identity and I believe I have found my purpose. But before I share these with you I have a few people to thank. First of all to the two most important people in my life. My mum and my dad. Mum you have taught me that life isn't about how many times you get knocked down, but by how many times you can stand up, stand strong, and take another blow.

You have instilled in me strength, resilience, determination and perserverance. You believed in me when no one else did, even when I failed to believe in myself. Dad you have taught me that everything and everyone in life has a place of belonging, a meaning, and a purpose. You have instilled in me courage, understanding, compassion and selflessness. Because of you both, I stand where I am today. I would now like to thank each and every member of the staff for guiding me throughout my journey here at RGHS and for moulding me into who I am today. For also giving me this opportunity of a life time to stand before the future of our school and community as a young leader. Without amazing people like you, amazing moments like this don't exist. Because of you, I stand where I am today. I would now like to turn my attention to my amazing year 13's. This is our year. This is the year we leave our mark. This is the year we leave a legacy. Blue or Black Blazer Prefect or not Rotorua Girls High School these are your leaders for 2016! Because those who stand together, are more powerful than he who stands alone. Together we have power. Leadership is action! Leadership is us. Each and every girl who stands before you today I have so much love and respect for, and I can promise that you are in safe hands. Girls, because of you, I stand where I am today. So who am I? I am honoured and privileged to stand before you as your 2016 head girl, but aside from that I am someone who aspires to not only inspire but EMPOWER those who surround me. Injecting my energy, and enthusiasm into the lives of many so that they realise that we are all better than we know, and if only we came to realise this, we may never settle for anything less. And lastly… My purpose? My purpose is the people. My purpose is you. Each and every one of you are the reason why I live. You will be the reason I wear this badge with pride, passion and integrity. Because a leader is nothing without the people. I am the people. The people are you. Every journey in life begins with the first step This moment in time will be too important to forget SO if you'd all agree with the idea that leadership is a journey too Then the first step of my journey it all began here with you.

Board of Trustees Information The following are our current BOT members with contact details.

NAME ADDRESS & EMAIL HOME NO.

Mr Chris Nairn (Parent Rep - Chairperson)

6 Taiporutu Place, Springfield, Rotorua 3015 chris-

stella@xtra.co.nz or Chris.Nairn@police.govt.nz 347 8466

Mrs Di Donnelly (Parent Rep – Deputy Chairperson)

389 Old Taupo Road, Springfield, Rotorua 3015 CCD@xtra.co.nz

348 6995

Mr Scott Thompson (Parent Rep)

29 Exeter Place, Tihi o Tonga, Rotorua 3015 utuhina@vodafone.co.nz or Scott.Thompson@police.govt.nz;

347 0920

Mrs Sharlene Easthope-Harper (Parent Rep)

45 Hillcrest Avenue, Hillcrest, Rotorua 3015 sharls.h@xtra.co.nz

347 8130

Miss Riria McDonald (Parent Rep)

34 Kiharoa Street, Ohinemutu, Rotorua 3010 riria.mcd@gmail.com

349 4005

Mrs Ally Gibbons (Principal)

50 Leonard Road, R D 7, Rotorua 3097 principal@rghs.school.nz or agibbons@rghs.school.nz

357 5214

Ms Rana Motu (Staff Rep)

4 Montrose Place, Tokoroa 3420 rmotu@rghs.school.nz

07 886 8698

tbc (Student Rep)

BOT meetings for this year will be held at 5.15pm on the following days: 2 February 8 March 12 April 3 May 24 May - BOT AGM @ 7pm 7 June 26 July 2 August 6 September 11 October 8 November 13 December

From across the desk of Deputy Principal-Curriculum and Assessment - Raewyn Krammer

NCEA Catch Up Internal Assessments: Students who need to catch up on 2015 internal credits to enable them to pass NCEA have been notified and are working with their teachers on these assessments. A reminder that all assessments must be completed by the 22 February 2016. If your daughter is unsure whether she needs to catch up on credits, please encourage her to see Mrs Krammer.

NCEA Review and Reconsideration applications for 2015 external examination results: It is advisable for students to talk to their teachers prior to applying for a review or reconsideration. The original answer booklet must accompany any application for a review or reconsideration except for eMCAT and digitally submitted Technology Standards (91371 and 91636).

Review application process: In a review all sections of a booklet or portfolio are checked to make sure they have been marked and results correctly recorded and transferred. A review does not involve re-marking and there is no charge. Students should go on line and print off a copy of the personalised review form from their Learner Login. Check details for a Review of NCEA examination results. Check details for a Review of Scholarship examination results Applications for reviews of NCEA externally assessed standards close on Friday 19 February and for Scholarship on Friday 4 March. Reconsideration application process: A reconsideration involves re-marking all answers in the answer booklet. It also involves checking mechanical processes, like transferring grades. NCEA reconsiderations cost $20.40 for each standard. The fee for Design and Visual Communication (DVC) and Technology portfolios is $20.40 for each external achievement standard, not each portfolio. The fee for Scholarship reconsiderations is $30.70 per standard (subject). Where the reconsideration leads to a change of final grade the fee is refunded. Students must apply for reconsideration through their Learner Login. Payment may also be made online. Applications for reconsideration of Level 3 and Scholarship Visual Arts can also be made online. For Level 3, three high-quality A4 coloured photographs, one for each panel of the portfolio, are to be sent. Scholarship applications must include both photographs and workbook. In addition, an authenticity declaration must be completed by a candidate's school and sent with any application. No portfolios are to be sent to NZQA. Check details for a Reconsideration of NCEA results. Check details for a Reconsideration of level 3 and Scholarship Visual Arts results Check details for a Reconsideration of Scholarship results Applications for reconsiderations for NCEA externally assessed standards close on Friday 19 February and for Scholarship on Friday 4 March. Ordering Results Documents and Paying Outstanding Fees Students can order any documents they are eligible for and for which they want a copy through their Learner Login. See Ordering Results Documents Students can also see and pay outstanding fees on their Learner Login.

NCEA FEES FOR 2016: These fees are collected at the school’s accounts office on behalf of NZQA; they are for all internal and external credits. The last day for paying the fee at the school’s accounts office is Thursday, 1 September 2016. Candidates who fail to pay the fee by this date will have to pay the fee directly to NZQA before the 1 December 2016. If paid after this date a $50.00 late fee will be charged.

You are most welcome to make weekly or fortnightly payments so that by the time the fees are due in August your daughter’s qualification fees are paid. If you are interested in doing this, please contact Brenda Green at the accounts office. Fees for Domestic Candidates:

Enrolment Fee

Any number of NQF standards and up to 3 scholarship subjects.

$76.70 per candidate

Scholarship entries are now an additional cost as they are not included with your NCEA fee.

$30.00 per paper

Fees for International Fee Paying Candidates:

Enrolment Fee

Any number of NQF subjects $383.30 per candidate

Scholarship subjects (additional to NQF fees) $102.20 per subject

Financial Assistance Application forms for Financial Assistance are available from the school office. If you qualify for Financial Assistance please fill in the application form and hand it in at the school’s account office with the fee of $20.00 per individual or $30.00 maximum per family by Thursday, 1 September 2016. For any further assistance or any queries please contact Mrs Raewyn Krammer (Deputy Principal Curriculum/Assessment).

PB4L – TE AO PB4L stands for the Positive Behaviour for Learning and is a school wide initiative which embodies Te Aokapurangi values in the form of the acronym TE AO which enables our students to be leaders in the global Environment.

T = the willingness to LEARN (RESILIENCE) E = engaging to ACHIEVE (INTEGRITY) A = always shows RESPECT (RESPECT) O = offers to SERVE (EMPATHY) Positive behaviour is taught to students during their whanau and classroom lessons. Students are rewarded for their positive behaviour through stamping of their TE AO Passport and they receive Certificates and Badges for recognition at school assemblies.

From Across the Desk of Heads of Deans Attendance We believe that attendance is essential if you want to engage to achieve. It was great to see our returning students and new students on the first day of school. By now, your daughter/s will know their whānau teacher and they are your first point of contact in regards to attendance. If your daughter is going to be absent from school, it is vital that you contact the school. This can be done a number of ways:

1) Ring the school number (07) 348 0156 and leave a message on our absentee line. Our attendance officer clears this every morning (Mon – Fri)

2) Contact your daughters whānau teacher via email (some teachers text) 3) Complete the absentee note provided in your daughter’s school diary, she will present this to

her whānau teacher upon her return 4) Complete the form via our web portal (you must obtain the login for this from the school)

If you know she is going to be away for more than 3 days, please contact the whānau teacher or year level dean directly to ensure she has enough work whilst she’s away. If it is a medical reason, we require a medical certificate for the period of time she’s away. Uniform Just a reminder that the correct school uniform from Years 9 – 12 for Term 1 is the following: Black Roman Sandals Blue Navy skirt/shorts White School Blouse or Polo short Softshell Navy/Maroon Jacket Maroon Jersey with Rotorua Girls High School logo Year 13 are to wear the following: Black Roman Sandals Black 3 Pleat skirt White short sleeve shirt Blue Blazer and Blue Tie Prefects: Black Blazer and Black Tie Students and parents are asked to read page 6 in the school diary about jewellery, make up, nail polish and hair regulations. If your daughter has incorrect uniform, please ensure you send her to school with a note explaining the situation. The year level deans have spare uniform on hand for any emergencies. Behaviour For Learning (Guidelines) This has now been aligned to our PB4L values. There have been a number of changes to ensure we are encouraging our students to make positive decisions in their behaviour and routines. We ask that parents and caregivers read page 8 of your daughters’ school diary to ensure you are familiar with the procedures teachers will follow when managing classroom behaviour. If you have any concerns regarding your daughters progress in class, please contact the teacher directly. Alternatively, you can contact the teachers Head of Faculty or your daughters’ year level dean.

Peer Support and Year 13 Camp What a busy and exciting start to 2016 for the Year 13 students. It started with speeches for leadership positions to staff, quite a daunting experience, but the girls blew us away with the delivery of some very inspirational and emotive speeches, so well done to all of you, who were shortlisted for prefect positions. On day one of school following our whole school pōhiri Year 13 students went out to Okataina education centre to take part in the Year 13 camp. This involved activities where students were encouraged to develop leadership and of course to have fun at the same time. On Thursday afternoon we spent time at the lake taking part in more fun activities. The camp also provided the opportunity to work on the Peer Support Programme, which the girls will deliver to the younger students of the school over the course of the next 3 weeks The announcement of the prefect positions was made at the investiture this week and I would like to congratulate all of the girls who have been appointment and those girls who missed out on this occasion. I am proud to take on the new role as Year 13 dean and look forward to a super 2016.

- Miss Aldridge (Year 13 Dean) Year Level Deans and Senior Leadership If you have any major concerns, please contact your daughter’s year level dean. Year 9 Dean Ngaire Te Pania (07) 348 0156 ext 292 Year 10 Dean Felicity Kaiwai (07) 348 0156 ext 224 Year 11 Dean Rana Motu (07) 348 0156 ext 222 Year 12 Dean Noeline Finlay (07) 348 0156 ext 221 Year 13 Dean Karen Aldridge (07) 348 0156 ext 223 Year 9 & 10 Year Level DP: Aramoana Mohi – Maxwell (07) 348 0156 ext 205 Year 11 & 12 Year Level DP: Raewyn Krammer (07) 348 0156 ext 206 Year 13: Ally Gibbons (07) 348 0156 ext 202

From Across the Desk of Heads of Faculties………… Head of Faculty English/Drama/ESOL - Sarah Riley Head of Faculty Mathematics - Yvette Nelson Head of Faculty Humanities - Wai Morrison Head of Faculty Science - Michelle Goeth Head of Faculty Marautanga - Laurelle Tamati Head of Faculty Physical Education/Health and Dance - Carolyn Katu Head of Faculty Technology/Art - Charlotte Hazlett Strategies we have in place to ensure that first and foremost girls achieve personal excellence and be the best they can be.

We expect every student to have achieved a minimum of 16-20 NCEA credits in total by the end of term one.

We have found that once students gain some credits, it signals to them that they are capable of achieving the qualification and encourages them to put the effort in to complete their course. Teachers are reorganising their programmes so where ever possible, students are able to achieve at least a few credits in each subject this term.

The deadline is the deadline. When deadlines become flexible, it is a very human tendency to procrastinate. This simply pushes

the work back. Students need to understand that if they do not hand an assessment in by the deadline, then they lose the opportunity to achieve those credits.

Assessment turnarounds. Teachers are endeavouring to stick to a two week turnaround for assessments. Timely feedback

on assessments ensure that students are able to take advantage of resubmission and reassessment opportunities. (Sometimes a two week turnaround is not always possible because of NZQA check marking and moderation processes, nevertheless that is our aim.

One student at a time monitoring. We expect students to take responsibility for their own learning and to be recording assessments,

due dates and credit tallies in their homework diaries. At the same time, the Senior Leadership Team , Heads of Faculty and Deans keep a close watch on each student’s progress. If we have concerns, intervention strategies and extra support is put in place to ensure every student achieves.

When school and home work together with the student, the chances of achieving to potential increases significantly. Parent forums Each term we will hold a parent forum as an opportunity for parents to be informed, raise concerns and give feedback to our work at RGHS. There are no jobs given out at a parent forum (!) and everyone is welcome to attend. At the initial parent forum on Thursday 17 March, 7:00pm in the Staffroom , we will be focusing on the strategic direction for RGHS. Involvement outside the classroom. We offer a huge range of extra cultural and sporting opportunities and while many staff use personal time to ensure these happen, we are also reliant on parents and others in the community to contribute. If you are able to help in any way, such as being a helper coaching or managing a sports team, we would love to hear from you. A phone call to the office and you will be directed to the right person.

Faculty News

HUMANITIES The Humanities Faculty at Rotorua Girls’ High School consists of three full time teachers and three part time teachers who teach a combination of Social Studies. Staff Wai Morrison is the Head of Faculty and teaches Year 11, 12, 13 Sociology and Junior Social Studies. She is the Manager of our school Kapa Haka group and teacher in charge of CACTUS. Jo Vari is the Assistant Head of Faculty and teachers Year 11 Geography, 12 Tourism and 13 Humanities and Junior Social Studies. She is also a specialist in Classical Studies. She is also responsible for MUNA (Model United Nations) and Asia Wise. Karena Ngata is an experienced teacher and teaches Year 11 History, 12 Humanities, 13 Tourism and Junior Social Studies. Geraldine Cunningham and Trish Pike - both teaching Junior Social Studies this year. SUBJECTS AND ASSESSMENTS Social Studies: This subject is compulsory for year’s nine and ten. Social Sciences at Rotorua Girls High School aim to help you understand your world and teaches you the skills to become actively involved in society. In Year 9 Social Studies we study how people organise and control themselves. We study different cultures and societies and the beliefs, rules, laws, customs and lifestyles that they have In Year 10 Social Studies we look at how people bring about changes and how they are affected by change. Students learn how to gather different kinds of information from a variety of sources, process this information, and present it in a range of different ways. Geography This subject will look at the Earth’s resources and how people use and respond to them. At Year 11 students will study Natural Hazards, Population and Global Patterns. At Year 12 they will look at The Amazon Basin, Urban Settlements and Development in Mexico. History This subject looks at events and issues in the past and how people choose to remember them. In Year 11 students study the Black Civil Rights and NZ Women and Health. In Year 12 students will study the Russian Revolution, Origins of WW1, Vietnam and the Cold War. Senior Social Studies (Sociology) This carries on from Social Studies and looks at Societies and human social behaviour. The aim of this course is to help students better understand changes and beliefs in society and develop ways to solve social problems. Sociology will sharpen skills in research and analysis of information. Students will learn how to develop a strong, well-constructed arguments and appreciate the wide range of beliefs that exist regarding social issues.

Tourism Tourism studies the travel industry and patterns and trends. At the end of each year students will achieve the National Certificate in Tourism. Students will study various countries, tourist destinations and have the opportunities to visit some of our local tourist ventures. Recently our Year 12s and 13s visited popular Tourist venues around Rotorua.

Humanities Faculty Events Model United Nations Association: Every year we participate in the Model United Nations. Schools from around the Bay Of Plenty compete as delegates to the United Nations. They are given a country and as a group must work together to address issues of global concern. Asia Wise Every year we compete in this international research competition. Students have a week to research answers on a range of questions based in the Asia Pacific region. All junior students are encouraged to enter as the competition is renowned throughout Australia and New Zealand. Humanitarian/Citizen Awareness As part of the Sociology students will participate in the 40 hour Famine and also raise awareness and money for Surf Aid, which helps the people of the Mentawai Islands. These issues help students to realise the problems that different societies have and foster our vision that our graduates will become Global Citizens. EOTC: We try to offer a variety of field trips every year. This year students’ in the faculty will experience trips to the Rotorua Museum, Tarawera Mountain and also various excursions to Tourism adventures within Rotorua. CACTUS stands for 'COMBINED ADOLESCENT CHALLENGE TRAINING UNIT and SUPPORT' and is a program targeting young people (13-17) years of age providing them with the opportunity to experience a change in lifestyle challenging them physically and mentally by way of exercise.

CACTUS Twenty-four Rotorua Girls’ High School students were pushed to their limit this week with the start of the Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support (CACTUS) programme. CACTUS runs three days a week for eight weeks and is based on an Armed Forces programme set up by the police to encourage youth to set and achieve goals that exceed what they believe they are capable of. Rotorua Community Constable Pete Riordan is leading CACTUS at RGHS again, this is the second year that our school is participating in the programme. “The programme is going really well. The girls are out of their comfort zones. The physical side goes from 6am to 7am followed by a short parade, then a shower, then to breakfast. They were all out there early which was great. A couple were pushed right to their limit, but carried on through, so that was good. Some people would have given up but they didn’t,” he says. Witerina House Captain Mapihi Kahurangi Tini 17, says she found the first day quite challenging. “It was very challenging both mentally and physically but it was good. I can only see us girls starting to bond. I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t know how physically demanding it would be. But my goal is to complete the course and have a higher physical and mental capacity,” she says. “I want to build more friendships with the girls who are doing CACTUS with me. I am looking forward to the next seven weeks and being pushed to my limit.” Designed to push young people to maximum capability both physically and mentally, CACTUS participants are working toward completing The Longest Day at the end of the programme, which consists of a series of strenuous events over eight hours. Participant Briana Cardon 15, says she really enjoyed the first activities and is looking forward to completing the course. “I actually found it amazing because the discipline that was present in the session really motivated me to push myself throughout all the drills. The instructors were really motivational and I’m determined to finish the course.”

As part of our T E A O school values it is great to see some of our CACTUS ONE graduates

stepping up “ka Hikitia” by helping with the delivery of the programme and cooking breakfast. They are all wonderful role models for our new intake of CACTUS TWO participants. The first week concluded with an inspirational speech from CACTUS GRADUATE ONE , Maddi Ollington. Hi everyone! Most of you all know me but for those who don’t, I am Maddi!!! I’m going to talk to you about my journey through cactus last year and the two things that affected me the most, Nutrition and INJURY management and also knowing your limits when sick. In the 8 weeks of cactus that started April 2015, I went on the most challenging, amazing journey with some of the strongest and most genuine girls I had met. Blood, sweat and tears had gone into

everything that we achieved through that 8 weeks. We pushed each other to our limits when we felt like giving up and encouraging individuals to keep that knee of the ground when planking. The first day of cactus arrived I was pretty excited but nervous at the same time. We all walked through the arena changing room at 5.30am looking like zombies, not knowing what was coming our way. We were straight into it. Push Ups, Planking, sit ups and running and let me not forget punishment. By the end of that session we all though “what have we gotten ourselves into”. But as the sessions progressed we were getting stronger and the staff got harder but as we knew it the longest day was here, 8 hours of gruelling fitness . It was an emotional ending for a lot of us as we achieved something we never thought we could but glad we can say when completed the CACTUS longest day!!!! A little phrase I remember the staff repeating to us last year was “ Mind over matter, if you can put your mind to it, you can do anything” and now I truly believe that. The staff never gave up on us even when they wanted to, to me that’s a clear indication of how much hard work we all put in . I witnessed everyone step up and lead whether you were shy or loud , we all underestimated what it would be like, people passing out left, right AND centre, and yes I was one of them . The first two weeks were difficult for me as I was rather crook, the first morning I was hoping not too pass out as this was becoming an on-going issue for me. I had no clue what was going on with myself, and I was really determined to complete cactus but with me passing out quite often, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to carry one. I talked to one of the staff at breakfast that morning and he said I should get checked out , typical me though , I didn’t and waited another two weeks and then I got that bad that I couldn’t drive. I got bloods done, MRI’s etc and I wasn’t to sure what to expect but the results came back with me being anemic and having low sugar levels. For those of you who don’t know what anemic is, it is when you weak, feeling fragile and passing out. I was happy to be put on tablets and back on the right track again. Nutrition was important to me through the 8weeks, as I was never a fan of having breakfast and I found it rather hard to eat . That first morning of cactus, I thought I would flag having breakfast, worst decision I had probably made, I struggled so much to even do anything that morning, I had nothing for my body to fuel on, (car) . Staff David drilled into us every morning , make sure your having plenty of water, Make sure your having plenty of protein, carbs etc. Every morning from the first day on, I made myself have something at 4.15am it was hard. Making sure I could take part every morning, made me cautious of any previous injuries I had, having knee surgery In 2014 was not the nicest thing to do , and I was not going back there, about 5-6 weeks into cactus ,we were coming to the end of the session, we were doing this exercise in the arena, we would run and then staff would say something and we would drop , but I took off from the floor a bit fast and my hammy said no im not running any more, that’s when David was harsh and said that I have to come back with to him saying I have an appointment otseo, she’s AMAZING ! As cactus progressed I starting making improvements , and was enjoying it very much. Push ups and sit ups became easier. RFLs were a challenge and that’s what I like , for me every RFL I I did I wanted to crack a minute off my run and try and beat little miss Kirsty, I got very close to Kirsty each time but didn’t seem to beat her but I certainly cracked a minute of each run . My first RFL run was 12:06 2nd

time was: 11:03 and my 3rd and FINal RFL I got 10.:03. This didn’t come easy. I had to put in 100% to get. 100% out of it. Personally, I found cactus both mentally and physically challenging. My journey was amazing, building new friendships, the challenges, meeting new people and cactus taught me things I will use for the future. Cactus opened up A PATHWAY for me into the army which I currently working towards in June.

Wellness Centre 2016 Welcome to the RGHS Wellness Centre of 2016. We aim to assist you, with your daughters / wards health and wellbeing over the year. We offer a Nursing and Guidance service alongside a Doctors service twice a week, an Osteopath service once a week, Drug and Alcohol counselling, Psychology and Youth Worker Clinics, and Social Worker Access, so please if you feel your daughter / guardian requires any assistance please contact either myself stickelpenny@rghs.school.nz or phone the school and ask for extension 245 or our Guidance counsellor is rruwhiu@rghs.school.nz or phone the school and ask for extension 246. All Year 9 students will undergo a Year 9 Assessment over the year, carried out by our visiting Nurse RN Aneta Stone Martin, this is based around vision, hearing and other aspects around Physical and Mental Health. If your daughter / ward is new to the school, has a significant health issue, you will receive a call from me to see how we can assist her transition into the school and assist you with her condition. We also ask you as parents and caregivers of students with allergies, to make sure that the student brings any necessary medication to cover those allergies etc on Athletics Day, Swimming Sports Day and when they go on Trips Outside of school. Nga mihi Wellness centre staff

Administration Hours The student accounts office hours are as follows: STUDENTS: PARENTS: Before school 8.00am – 2.00pm Interval Lunchtime No students will be served in class time The RECEPTION hours are 8.00am – 3.30pm

Important Dates To Diary

16 February Mufti Day-Bring a can for CACTUS 18 February School Athletics Day – RGHS Fields 20 and 21 February BOP Senior Volleyball 22 February BOP Golf Pennants Round #1 23 February School Swimming Sports Day – Aquatic Centre 25 February Whanau / Class Photos taken 26 February BOP Senior Tennis Champs; BOP Senior Volleyball 29 February BOP Golf Pennants Round #2 1 March After School Social Volleyball 5 March BOP Senior Volleyball 7 – 11 March Senior Maths Assessment Week 7 March BOP Golf Pennants Round #3; Rotary Senior Leaders Lunch 8 March After School Social Volleyball; 5.15pm BOT Monthly Board Meeting 11 March Mid Island Athletics Day 13 March BOP Touch Qualifying 14 March pm - Rotorua Road safety Expo 15 March After School Social Volleyball