Rotorua Girls High School Bulletin #2 – Friday 18 March 2016

Congratulations to Jordyn Tereu (our 2016 Head Girl)

who won the Regional ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition held in Tauranga recently.

We wish Jordyn all the best for when she competes in the

National Final of The ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition on Wednesday, 23 March 2016

SCHOOL CREST

the crown is the symbol of loyalty to the Queen and to our country

the rose, beautiful and elegant, symbolises care for our environment

the lion shows strength and with paw outstretched is indicating friendship and peace in our school community

the book represents knowledge and learning

the kowhaiwhai pattern surrounding and encompassing these symbols represents the tangata whenua

Across the Principal’s Desk

Date: Friday, 18 March 2016 Ka nui te mihi kia koutou katoa Dear Parents and Caregivers The following are our NCEA results from 2015:

Number of students

Pass Rate

Merit Endorsement

Excellence Endorsement

NCEA Level 1 - Year 11 99 92% 29 21

NCEA Level 2 - Year 12 94 100% 21 17

NCEA Level 3 - Year 13 66 89 29 11

Endorsements encourage students to aim for their ‘best work’ rather than near enough is good enough. They are also vitally important in gaining entry to restricted courses at tertiary level. Our aim is that every student achieves the NCEA qualification she needs for further learning or full time employment. The Ministry has given a clear message to schools that NCEA Level 2 is a basic minimum qualification. Some strategies we have in place to ensure this happens include:

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, Mrs Krammer as Deputy Principal Curriculum and Assessment , works with Heads of Faculties and Year Level Deans to 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.

If you have any concerns about your daughter’s subjects, please do not hesitate to contact either Mrs Krammer or the Year Level Dean of your daughter.

Year 9 - Ngaire Tepania Year 10 - Felicity Kaiwai Year 11 - Rana Motu Year 12- Noeline Finlay Year 13 - Karen Aldridge Through the generous sponsorship of scholarships from Nga Pumanawa e Waru, four members of staff, Deputy Principal - Whaea Aramoana, Year 10 Dean - Felicity Kaiwai, English Teacher - Clare Morgan and myself have just completed the first 16 weeks of a 32 week part- time Post Graduate Certificate in applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning) to build our capabilities as 21st –century educators. During the course an interesting concept we discussed was ‘Mindset’, which was developed by Psychologist and author Carol Dweck. According to Dweck, there are two types of mindsets which play an important part in how our lives play out. Those with a fixed mindset, believe that their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that is that. Some of us remember I.Q. (Intelligence Quotient) tests schools used to administer in the belief that intelligence was fixed and so students would be sorted and streamed accordingly. Those with a fixed mindset dread failure because they see it as a negative statement on their innate abilities. They would rather not hand in an assignment for example than be seen to be not up to the mark. In a growth mindset on the other hand, students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don’t necessarily think everyone is the same or anyone can be an Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter and become better if they put in the effort. Individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to keep working hard despite setbacks and will give things a go, even if it means they might fail. For this reason, it is important to praise your daughters’ for effort rather than talent. This encourages them to put the effort in, stick with it and get help if needed rather than avoid, coast or give up. Educational Research has consistently shown when school and home work together with the student, the chances of achieving to potential increases significantly increases significantly. On this basis, I would encourage you to:

Read and discuss your daughter’s interim report

Attend Academic Planning next Thursday 24 March - parents are urged to put the time aside to take part.

Familiarise yourself with your daughter’s assessment schedule and how she is progressing with NCEA.

Contact your daughter’s teachers / year level dean if you have any concerns.

ACADEMIC PLANNING DAY - Thursday 24 March - 8.30am to 5.00pm Students need only attend their session with their parents and Whānau Teacher. Students are not required at school for the rest of the day. Students are to wear school uniform.

We invite you to attend the Academic Planning Day #1 Interviews on Thursday, 24 March 2016 in the Nina Hogan Memorial Performing Arts Centre (PAC). Appointments can be made online by going to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz . Our School Event Code is: thahn. Please turn over for instructions. If you are unable to book via the website please phone our School Receptionist, Rosemary Juergens, to make your bookings. Please make sure when you phone that you have your whanau teacher name and times available that you would like which will assist Rosemary with making your bookings. We have allowed 20 minutes for each appointment. You are welcome to make a further appointment at another time if you wish. As all staff will be involved in the Academic Planning Interviews, it is expected that your daughter will attend the interview time with you in correct school uniform. These appointments will be reviewing how your daughter has achieved to date and an opportunity to discuss what further support is required to ensure she is able to gain the results that are available to her. If you have any questions please feel welcome to contact us.

NCEA Information Students in Year 11-13 have been given information regarding assessment requirements for NCEA. You are asked to read this information carefully, and then sign the Authenticity Agreement and ask your daughter to return it to her Subject Teacher. I would like to emphasise the paragraph that relates to authenticity and reiterate that students who copy the work of another student, allow their work to be copied, or pass off the work of another as their own, will receive a Not Achieved grade and will not have a further assessment opportunity.

The Willingness to LEARN Engaging to ACHIEVE

Congratulations

On Tuesday, 15 March 2016 we held our Celebrating Academic Excellence Evening in Performing Arts Centre. This is an evening where we honour all our 2015 NCEA Level 1 and 2 students who received a GPA of over 80%, in their 2015 NCEA Year Level examination and recognise students who have achieved this honour two years in a row.

Below is a list of recipients:

2016 Young Scholars

2015 NCEA Level 1

Danielle Coote 1 Merit 80% 1st Blue

Jaysariah Mischeski 1 Merit 80% 1st Blue

Manaia Witoko 1 Merit 81% 1st Blue

Chloe Nicholls 1 Merit 83% 1st Blue

Rose Smith 1 Merit 83% 1st Blue

Eden Hepi 1 Merit 85% 1st Blue

Dixie Yates-Francis 1 Merit 85% 1st Blue

Makea Iti-White 1 Merit 87% 1st Blue

Anahera Teinakore-Curtis 1 Excellence 87% 1st Blue

Raven Kyle Baruelo 1 Merit 89% 1st Blue

Jimmee Brass 1 Merit 89% 1st Blue

Oriwa Tamahou 1 Merit 89% 1st Blue

Kalani Bosley 1 Excellence 90% 1st Blue

Eunice Obuyes 1 Excellence 90% 1st Blue

Yunus Asby 1 Excellence 92% 1st Blue

Pia Padayhag 1 Excellence 92% 1st Blue

Hannah Mareroa 1 Excellence 93% 1st Blue

Te Waiarangi Manley-Merito 1 Excellence 94% 1st Blue

Levius Hitchens-Chapman 1 Excellence 95% 1st Blue

Rangipurei Manley 1 Excellence 95% 1st Blue

Dennise Lorilla 1 Excellence 96% 1st Blue

Kirsten Purdie 1 Excellence 96% 1st Blue

Sasha Zhukova 1 Excellence 96% 1st Blue

Keighley Jones 1 Excellence 98% 1st Blue

Chelsea Pita 1 Excellence 98% 1st Blue

Kayla Kautai 1 Excellence 99% 1st Blue

Sophie Jansonius 1 Excellence 100% 1st Blue

Billie-Jo Mareroa 1 Excellence 100% 1st Blue

Atawhai Ngatai 1 Excellence 100% 1st Blue

Alyssa Mae Pineda 1 Excellence 100% 1st Blue

2015 NCEA Level 2

Waiharakeke Ruha-Hiraka 2 Merit 80% 2nd Gold Tie

Marina Tansey 2 Merit 80% 1st Blue

Michaela Cairns 2 Merit 81% 1st Blue

Kahurangi Haverkamp 2 Merit 81% 1st Blue

Mapihi Kahurangi Tini 2 Merit 81% 2nd Gold Tie

Jesse-Mae Waititi-Wilson 2 Merit 81% 1st Blue

Angel Porteous 2 Merit 84% 2nd Gold Tie

Sally Haslam 2 Merit 85% 1st Blue

Stacee Maki 2 Merit 85% 2nd Gold Tie

Charlotte Courtney-Strachan 2 Excellence 87% 1st Blue

Te Aroha Hemi 2 Excellence 87% 2nd Gold Tie

Georgina McPhee 2 Excellence 87% 1st Blue

Leana Albert-Packer 2 Merit 88% 2nd Gold Tie

Laura Castle-Mann 2 Excellence 90% 1st Blue

Gabrielle Jones 2 Excellence 90% 2nd Gold Tie

Maakarini Nelson 2 Excellence 90% 1st Blue

Jordan Andrews 2 Excellence 91% 2nd Gold Tie

Xianar Pike 2 Excellence 91% 1st Blue

Courtney Wiggins 2 Excellence 92% 2nd Gold Tie

Awatea Leach 2 Excellence 95% 2nd Gold Tie

Jordyn Tereu 2 Excellence 95% 2nd Gold Tie

Tiara Winsor-Ngamata 2 Excellence 96% 1st Blue

Chantelle Cobby 2 Excellence 100% 2nd Gold Tie

Savani Kannangara 2 Excellence 100% 2nd Gold Tie

Zahli Tukapua 2 Excellence 100% 1st Blue

Grace Wilson 2 Excellence 100% 1st Blue

2016 Top Scholars Waiharakeke Ruha-Hiraka 2 Merit 80% 2nd Gold Tie

Mapihi Kahurangi Tini 2 Merit 81% 2nd Gold Tie

Angel Porteous 2 Merit 84% 2nd Gold Tie

Stacee Maki 2 Merit 85% 2nd Gold Tie

Te Aroha Hemi 2 Excellence 87% 2nd Gold Tie

Leana Albert-Packer 2 Merit 88% 2nd Gold Tie

Gabrielle Jones 2 Excellence 90% 2nd Gold Tie

Jordan Andrews 2 Excellence 91% 2nd Gold Tie

Courtney Wiggins 2 Excellence 92% 2nd Gold Tie

Awatea Leach 2 Excellence 95% 2nd Gold Tie

Jordyn Tereu 2 Excellence 95% 2nd Gold Tie

Chantelle Cobby 2 Excellence 100% 2nd Gold Tie

Savani Kannangara 2 Excellence 100% 2nd Gold Tie

On Wednesday, 2 March 2016, an Academic Assembly to Celebrate NCEA Merit Endorsements was held to congratulate the following students who passed their 2015 NCEA Level with a Merit Endorsement.

First Name Last Name Level Number of Merits

Leana Albert-Packer 2 32

Michaela Cairns 2 28

Sally Haslam 2 36

Kahurangi Haverkamp 2 11

Priyal Jeram 2 28

Stacee Maki 2 41

Shannon McBride 2 31

Ashleigh Nairn 2 44

Chetique Paul 2 15

Angel Porteous 2 30

Shayla Ram 2 30

Waiharakeke Ruha-Hiraka 2 16

Marina Tansey 2 46

Mapihi Kahurangi Tini 2 16

Jayde Unuwai 2 33

Jesse-Mae Waititi-Wilson 2 33

Te Rima Walker 2 45

Soranan Wantoom 2 35

Raven Kyle Baruelo 1 48

Jimmee Brass 1 54

Danielle Coote 1 74

Nadia Elers 1 33

Mereaira Epapara-Whata 1 12

Eden Hepi 1 63

Erina Himona 1 30

Parekai Hodge 1 26

Izaria Houghton 1 51

Makea Iti-White 1 65

Jaysariah Mischeski 1 23

Chloe Nicholls 1 46

Pareunuora Pene 1 53

Rose Smith 1 36

Oriwa Tamahou 1 36

India Te Runa 1 40

Brittany Thompson 1 48

Manaia Witoko 1 29

Dixie Yates-Francis 1 26

Staff News Appointments

Wendy Presland-Cox – Permanent Full Time Assistant Teacher for Science (replaces BL)

Michelle James – increase in hours to cover Lesley Hughes’ whanau class

Nicola Bennett – LTR to cover Lesley Hughes’ Art classes

Geraldine Cunningham – Fixed Term Appointment

Zhu Lanlan-Mandarin Chinese Itinerant Teacher

Martyn Heath, Elisha F’ai and Matthew Sutton – itinerant Music Teachers for 2016

Carol Holt- Sport’s Coordinator

Kathy Gordon – Geography Teacher

Barbara Stewart – LTR Fixed Term Appointment at RSFYP

Heather Jones – ESOL Teacher

Resignations

Meegan Edwards, Sports Co-ordinator – effective from Friday 11 March 2016. We thank Meegan for her three years of service to the school and wish her well in future endeavours.

Bereavement

Susan Miller, Librarian - passed away Thursday, 3 March 2016

Ngā manaakitanga Ally Gibbons – Principal

2016 Triennial Trustee Election – Board of Trustees Close main roll noon on Wednesday 4 May 2016 Call for nominations by Friday 6 May 2016 Close supplementary roll noon at noon on Wednesday 18 May 2016 Nominations close noon on Friday 20 May 2016 Voting papers sent by Wednesday 25 May 2016 Election day. Close poll at noon on Friday 3 June 2016 Count votes on Thursday 9 June 2016 Board takes office on Friday 10 June 2016

Stage Challenge 2016 Rotorua Girls High School (2015 Regional Winners) are about to show Rotorua what they're made of once again by performing in the Stage Challenge Regional Competition. This competition will be held at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre; on Thursday 9th and 10th June 2016. Stage Challenge is a nationwide schools competition involving student-led dance, theatre, drama, lighting, costume and set-design. Each school bases their performance around a particular theme and creates

a 8 minute Dance Extravaganza! Watch this space for further details! Auditions have already taken place and over 130 students are currently rehearsing and working towards Competition Day. This year’s Production Team consists of an awesome team of Year 13 students (who have be planning Stage Challenge since Term 1 this year. Please contact the Teacher in Charge, Miss Janaye Biddle Kite (TIC Dance-Stage Challenge) if you are able to help in any way: building sets, painting, sewing etc.

Faculty News Technology and Art Three Year 13 Hospitality students along with Waiariki Culinary Arts students at The Tearooms supporting the 2016 Ronald McDonald Family Retreat fundraiser. Some flourishing emails that the school received by guests for our girls were: ‘Well done Exceptional Service' and ‘amazing service girls'. From left to right Georgina McPhee, Shannon McBride and Ana-Maree Conroy

Sports News So our term has started with a hiss and a roar, with our girls keen to take the courts and fields with gusto. Firstly I must say congratulations to our Sports Leader Rilee Rehu and our Deputy Sports Leader Te Rima Walker. These two girls have gone

through the last four years working towards this honour, giving back by coaching and refereeing as well as umpiring and acting as officials for all sorts of Junior codes. Well done you two…..keep up the awesome work! School Athletics Day

Our school Athletics day was postponed due to nasty weather and we took a chance on the following day. Not many were confident we would not have rain, but a little faith and off we went. This year would have to be one of the largest for participation. The day went well, with a shortened schedule, so we would get most things done. Our new juniors certainly have joined in and are making their mark in the Athletics arena.

Athletics Champions 2016 are: Senior - Jordyn Tereu; Intermediate - Ana Ngera; Junior - Jasmine Morrison We have a strong team travelling to Mid-Islands Athletics on Friday and I look forward to some awesome results.

Our amazing Marina Tahana Beazley claimed yet another school record as her own winning the Senior girls Javelin with a throw of 31.70m. You rock Marina! (Photo) Marina bringing home the win in the Senior Girls relay. Swimming Sports Swimming Sports was held the following week and it is good to see this year, more swimmers. Another successful day with the house chants a highlight of both days. Amazing to see the change up in less than a week and this goes to show the work our leaders are putting in with their houses. Witerina took out the chant at Athletics and Taini at swimming sports. Makareti was victorious overall on both days, but only just in the swimming by 10 points from Taini house….very close. Volleyball Our Senior Volleyball team has been going well with clean sweep wins over the last two consecutive weekends. Finals weekend is 19th and 20th March so go hard girls. Thanks must go to ex-student Keri Jennings who is doing an awesome job coaching this year. Basketball and Netball Trials for Senior A Basketball and Prem 1 Netball are complete and both teams look to be full of talent.

Senior A Basketball is coached by Sue Pene again this year and consists of: Rilee Rehu, Te Rima Walker, Teemarangi Daniela, Erina Himona, Devon Bannister, Awatea Rikirangi-Thomas, Nadia Elers, Maata Hamiora, Marina Tahana-Beazley, Pareunuora Pene, Dejah Winikeri-Motu and Awatea and Te Ao Leach. Junior A Basketball trials are not quite complete, but this looks to be a strong team too, with 25 girls trialling we will have good numbers in the Junior school Basketball. Prem 1 Netball will be coached by Hinei Taute-Collier this year. Hinei has had the Junior Prem team for the last two years and looks forward to taking this team to the next level. They are: Taryn Stone, Marina Tahana-Beazley, Briana Cardon, Kahlia Kiel, Kataraina Ormsby, Rilee Rehu, Teina Cassidy, Tayla Stone, Tamea Te Rauna and Siobahn Taute-Collier. Well done to all the girls who trialled. We had over twenty at both Senior trials so it is pleasing to see the girls are wanting to represent their school at the higher levels. Touch and Rugby Touch kicks off with Qualifiers on the 13th and Zonals on the 20th March. Ben Curtis has the girls running and looking really good. This team has our own NZ Representative Kahlia Kiel who was recently named in the NZ U15 Mixed team. Games will be at Neil Hunt Park out at Te Ngae, so pop out and cheer our girls on if you are free on those days. Fred Cox and Mark Edmonds have returned this year to coach the 7’s teams. These girls are running really well and numbers are really good. Looks like we will have an U15 and U17/19 teams. Finally, I will say my last goodbye on Friday 11th March. I have really enjoyed working with the girls here and will certainly miss them. Some have been in my life for quite a few years now and so, they become your family. Part of my heart will always be with these ‘babies’ of mine. You know who you are, go and conquer the world with your beautiful selves. Be brave, be kind, be respectful, never ever give up and always, always be you. Meegan Edwards Sports Co-ordinator

Important Dates To Diary

24 March Academic Planning Day #1 25 – 29 March Easter Break 31 March Teacher Only Day 2 April CACTUS Longest Day 3 – 8 April Summer Tournament Week; Level 2 Maths Assessment Week 11 – 15 April Level 1 and 3 Maths Assessment Week 12 April Monthly BOT Meeting in Board Room 15 April End of Term 1; Bulletin #3 online 18 – 21 April 10am – 2pm NCEA Holiday School Catch Up Programme 25 April ANZAC Day 2 May Term 2 begins

CAREERS NEWS Rotorua Girls High School Gateway Co-ordinator Tania Gracie is also now the new Careers Advisor. Ms Gracie works in the Careers office next to the library and is available to help students plan their futures after school whether it be going to university, polytech or joining the workforce. If your daughter needs help to decide what she would like to do when she leaves school, Ms Gracie and Careers and Marketing Assistant Abbey Hartevelt are here to help. Meanwhile, we have had a few inquiries about scholarships for next year. You can use a school computer to access givME – Generosity New Zealand (formerly Breakout) http://generosity.org.nz/giv-me/. This has a database of over 4000 scholarships that are available. This is only free to access from the school network. Get your share of the “free” money that is out there to assist with the costs of tertiary study

WHAT’S COMING UP OVER THE

REST OF TERM 1 and into TERM 2 in 2016 If you are in Year 13 and interested in coming along to any of these below, please write your name on the form in the Careers Office. The forms will be put up two weeks before any of the tertiary institution’s respective visits. Keep an eye on Facebook and the Student Notices closer to the time of each visit. We will notify you with more details at least a month out from any Open Days.

Date Time What Where

Thursday March 24 6pm to 7pm Your Education Rotorua Information Evening

Rotorua Public Library

Monday 4 April 2pm to 3pm Otago Law Careers Function RBHS

Thursday April 7 ALL DAY Wintec Open Day Hamilton

Tuesday April 12 10.40am to 11.20am Waikato University visit RGHS Library

Thursday April 14 10.40am to 11.20am Auckland University visit RGHS Library

Tuesday May 10 10.40am to 11.20am Victoria University visit RGHS Library

Friday May 13 ALL DAY Waikato University Open Day Waikato University

Tuesday May 17 and Wednesday May 18

ALL DAY Rotorua Careers Expo Energy Events Centre

Friday June 17 ALL DAY Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Open Day Tauranga

Tuesday June 28 10.40am to 11.20am Otago University visit RGHS Library