Ashburton College Newsletter
8
ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Monday, March 4, 2013
Issue 03, March 4, 2013
‘Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment’
Message from the Principal
Information
‘Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment’ Kia ora and Greetings. NCEA Success Over and above everything else the most important focus for our College is student achievement. Essentially, we only succeed when our students succeed. Noting that, much of this newsletter covers student success with recent examples being the wonderful Scholarship results, and many students’ sporting successes. One of the key measures of student success are NCEA results, and we have spent the last three weeks analysing our 2012 results in a number of ways. We have looked at the overall results, and completed further analysis into trends etc. We have looked at differences for different groups of students, patterns over time and comparisons against other similar and higher decile schools. Overall, our student pass rates in NCEA are improving each year, which is a very rewarding trend indeed. We have also achieved a very positive lift in Level 3 (Year 13) results, alongside a significant lift in pass rates for our Māori and Pasifika students, to a level well above national expectations. Our publicly recorded Level 1 NCEA result does reflect a number of students who are in special programmes and who are not able to complete NCEA Level 1 in one year. Measuring “like with like” would increase this by another 4% but, as a community College, we would never restrict options for a student just to manage the statistics. Continuous improvement like this is the result of individual teachers and teams of staff members working together, in new ways and trying new things to make a difference, as well as involving students and their families. I wish to publically thank our staff for the numerous initiatives that they have put in place over the last 12 months to make even more of a
difference to students and their success. I know that Heads of Faculties and others are already looking at what things worked which they will continue with for this year, and what further initiatives we will put in place to ensure even more students achieve in 2013. Being at College Last week The Guardian published the results of some of our internal research looking at how much of a factor attendance in class is for success in NCEA. Logically, we all know that being away from class creates a risk, but what we didn’t expect was how quickly that risk is created and how large the risk actually is. We are now looking at how we, as a College, will monitor and respond to any risks to success that are created though a student’s absence. Naturally, the first port of call will be with the student and their family to see what we need to do to ensure that the young person remains engaged in their learning. Novopay We are very appreciative of the work and support of our local MP, Jo Goodhew, which has made a difference to getting a number of outstanding things addressed. However, Talent2 keeps on inventing new ways to make mistakes. The overall score: HMS Novopay is still sinking! Please Let Us Know As always, we can only deal with things that we know about. If you are aware of something that is not right, such as students at the skatepark when they should be in College; or of something that is affecting your child’s confidence or learning, please let us know. A quick phone call to the College or email to their teacher is all we need. We do our very best to ensure our students are safe, engaged and learning but we will never be aware of everything. We need your help too. Cheers Grant McMillan Principal
Event
Ashburton College Japan Tour Group Fundraiser
Prelims Day
Disco
A very successful day was held on Friday 15 February. This is a ‘fun’ day for all students, with House Competition to the fore. Students, by participating, were able to earn House Points to kick-start the annual, hotly contested House Competition as evident below.
for College Year 9 and 10 Students This Friday 08 March, 7:30pm - 10:30pm Ashburton Sports Hall, Tancred Street. $5 Entry
(Pictured left) Year 9 student Bradley Van-der-Eik easily clears the High Jump, with style.
Tickets will be on sale at College, on the Chessboard, at lunchtime, Friday 01 March and Tuesday 05 March. Snacks and soft drinks will be available for purchase at the event.
Ash-Dance 2013 Monday 25 March, 7:00pm Ashburton Trust Event Centre
(Pictured right) Naomi Cone – Green House runner (Pictured far right) Nirvana Edgecomb, as the Red Devil, keeps Red House participants on their toes (and other Houses at a distance!).
All Styles of Dance – from Ballet to Hip Hop, Class Groups, Cultural Groups, Solo Performances. Tickets will be available for a Gold Coin donation. From the College Office, Student Counter, from morning interval on Monday 18 March.
Congratulations College Student Leaders for 2013
sPACIFICally PACIFIC
Ashburton College places a real emphasis on student leadership and students’ ability to positively influence the culture of our College. Many students have taken up the challenge of accepting the responsibilities of student leadership and we acknowledge them below, with appreciation.
The Pasifika Education Church Service and Awards occasion as held at Riccarton High School last Tuesday evening.
Staff - Welcome Vaughan Matheson
This is a key time of year for sports events, many of which are highlighted below and in the congratulations section.
This event celebrates the success of secondary school top Pasifika Academic Achievers 2012 and Emerging Pasifika Leaders (2013).
Three Ashburton College Students Featured Prominently
Kirsty Moffett (Returning to College)
Teacher of Mathematics
Teacher of Child Development
Information 2013 Class Photographs Orders taken from Thursday 07 March
Ashburton College Student Executive 2013
Executive members all hold areas of responsibility and/or Committee Chairperson roles. (Pictured above, front row – left to right): Ellen Dakers (Ball Committee); Ash McBride (Elected Student Representative to the Board of Trustees); Kane Olsen (Head Boy); Finau Fakapelea (Head Girl); Vicki Squires (Treasurer); Lizzy Hill (Secretary). (Back row – left to right): Savanna Ornsby (Sports Committee); Matthew Arnold (Environment/Canteen Committee); Hannah Waters (Student Welfare Committee); Josh Aberhart (Social/Recreation Committee); Abbey Marshall (Ball Committee). Student leaders were acknowledged and presented with their badges at a full College Assembly mid February, where the stage party was piped on by Head Boy Kane Olsen (pictured left).
Photographs are presented on an A4 laminated sheet with the photo at the top and the students’ names at the bottom. Cost - $12.00 Correct money or cheques would be appreciated, in a named envelope. (Please make cheques out to Photoshots). Completed envelopes and money to be handed into the College Office. Envelopes are available from your student’s Family Form Teacher or at the College Office.
Orders close - Wednesday 20 March 2013.
Victoria Excellence Scholarship, 2013 2012 Year 13 student Alasdair Tarry has started his University Career knowing he was a recipient of this prestigious scholarship. The scholarship was dependent on Level 3 NCEA Endorsed results.
Ashburton College Swimming Sports In the midst of athletics events, on Thursday 21 February, the College Swimming Sports were also held.
(Pictured right); Head Girl Finau Fakapelea and Head Boy Kane Olsen receive their badges from the Principal, Grant McMillan.
Parent/Caregiver-Teacher Interviews Year 9 Year 9 Interviews are being held on Wednesday 27 March, at the Hotel Ashburton This is the first of the College’s 2013 parent/caregiver/teacher evenings.
Where possible parents/caregivers are asked to book interview times on line. This can be done from Monday 11 March.
(Pictured left and right) – relay events.
House Executive Leaders for 2013
What do you do if you don’t have internet access?
Please phone the College Office to book interview times with the staff, or your child can ask their teachers at College to allocate an interview time, in each subject.
How you can book on-line :
The staff Heads of House and Student Leaders work very hard during the year to encourage student participation in events and to ‘do battle’ in the quest for the much coveted ‘Winning House’ title at the end of the year.
1.
BLUE HOUSE
GREEN HOUSE
RED HOUSE
ORANGE HOUSE
Head of House:
Head of House:
Head of House:
Head of House:
Ms Stacey Monk
Mrs Claire Bubb
Mr Ryan Walsh
Ms Claire Van-Polanen
Co-Captains:
Co-Captains :
Co-Captains :
Co-Captains :
Elliotte Strange Steven Twamley
Cameron Havis Danyelle Lusty
Melissa Gooseman Nick Ralston
House Executive:
House Executive:
Grace Goulter Charlie Stewart Morrison
Kate Benny Brooke Clark Georgia Clarke Mark Mably Daniel Rance Ella Robertson
Cait Bassett Joe Brown Campbell Chapman Logan Donald Amanda Fleming Livvie Kennedy
Year 12 students: Tom Dudley Heni Ede
Year 12 students: Brittney Davis Awa Timothy
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Login to your Ashburton College portal at www.school-links.org.nz by entering your username and password: as emailed to you last week. Click on ‘Visit Ashburton College’ Click on the ‘Events’ items in the Blue Menu bar. Click on ‘Interview Centre’ at the right. Click on the ‘Book Interviews’ icon for the Year 9 evening. When the list of teacher names appear, select your child’s teachers by clicking on the appropriate check box. Now follow the instructions - if you get lost there are detailed instructions under the Event Tab, please scroll down to see them.
Interview Length of Time: •
•
Each Interview slot is for 5 minutes so please be aware of this when booking and book only the one 5 minute slot with each teacher. If you need to speak with a teacher for longer please arrange a separate appointment time with them so that we can help you without holding other families up. Please try to leave a gap between some interview times so you are not rushed.
Teacher Only Day – Thursday 28 March Please note the first of Ashburton College’s three Teacher Only Days will be held on the above date (the Thursday preceding the Easter Holiday Weekend). Further information will be distributed closer to the time. The purpose of this day is Course Programme Planning and Professional Development.
Two further days are scheduled for the year – • •
Friday 31 May Thursday 14 November
(prior to Queen’s Birthday Weekend). (prior to Christchurch Show Weekend).
Ashburton College Canteen Volunteer Assistance Can You Help? We require adult volunteer help in the College Canteen for 1½ hours on Thursdays, 9:30am – 11:00am, term time only. If you can help us please phone Brenda, Canteen Manager, on 308 4193, ext 851.
(Pictured left to right); Sala Touli (Pasifika Emerging Leaders Award); Finau Fakapelea (Pasifika High Academic and Emerging Leaders Award), Thywill Saofai (Pasifika High Academic Award).
House Executive: Karl Clement Matt Coote Luke Martin Megan Davies Kaitlyn Nepe Carlyn Reed Year 12 students: Sophie Congdon Ryan Hampton
House Executive: Hannah Cairns Jack Dudley Phoebe Ganda Tony Mui Shaun Stagg Courtney Van-der-Eik Year 12 students: Harry Ferguson Stacey Hopwood
(Pictured below): Ashburton College 2013 House Captains primed for Athletics Finals day at the Domain Oval, last Friday: (Left to right): Nick Ralston, Melissa Gooseman (Orange House), Cameron Havis, Danyelle Lusty (Green House), Charlie Stewart Morrison, Grace Goulter (Red House), Elliotte Strange, Steven Twamley (Blue House).
Records Broken
Standards continue to rise with six new records claimed – by: Joseph Brown – Senior Boys (an impressive three records) 1 length Breaststroke - 20.46 (2012 20.47) 3 lengths Breaststroke - 1:10.25 (2012 1.10.60): own record set last year 4 lengths Medley - 1:28.44 (2012 1:29.25): own record set last year Jake O’Grady – Senior Boys. This record was held by Stuart Doig and has stood for 26 years. 3 lengths Freestyle - 57.84 (1986 58.16) Green House Senior Girls Brittany Butler, Brittney Davis, Phoebe Ganda and Danyelle Lusty. Freestyle Relay - 1:21.26 (2003 - 1:23.34) Medley Relay - 1:29.28 (2003 - 1:31.38)
Grade Champions Year 9 Boys Year 9 Girls Year 10 Boys Year 10 Girls Year 11 Boys Year 11 Girls Year Senior Boys Year Senior Girls
George Howden Sophie Beckley Flynn Beeman Lucy Clough Kody Stuthridge-Croot Caitlin Johnstone Joseph Brown Phoebe Ganda
(Runner up – James Prendergast) (Runner up – Sarah Whyte) (Runner up – Kohan Henwood) (Runner up – Katelyn Grey) (Runner up – Leander Kolb/Mark Tait 2nd equal) (Runner up – Sonya Whyte) (Runner up – Jake O’Grady) (Runner up – Danyelle Lusty/Brittany Butler 2nd equal)
NZ Age Group Swimming Championships At the time of writing the Age Group Swimming Championships were in their first day, involving four Ashburton College students: Joseph Brown, Lucy Clough, Jake O’Grady and Caitlin Johnstone. First day results gained three finals berths - Lucy Clough (400m Freestyle), Joseph Brown (200m Individual Medley) and Caitlin Johnstone (pictured).
Medal Winner
Caitlin Johnstone stormed home in the 50m Breaststroke taking over a second off her previous best to take Silver in the 15 year old Girls’ Final.