Ashburton College Newsletter
10
ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013
Issue 06, April 15, 2013
‘Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment’
Message from the Principal ‘Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment’ Kia ora and Greetings.
International The last few weeks at College have had an international feel about them as we have hosted a group of students from our sister school in Germany, Pascal Gymnasium (an academically streamed and focused secondary school) who were with us for a short time; as well as the Thai students who are with us for several weeks. Exchanges like this have a number of advantages. These range from benefits for students’ learning, such as for our students studying German to be able to practise the conversational language with another young person; to the ability of our students to interact with other young people from a different country and to learn about different ways of seeing the world and differing cultural mores and perspectives. A huge thank you to all of the students, staff members, parents, caregivers and community members who have been, and are currently involved in, hosting our visitors.
Academic
academic success and achievements in NCEA. Whilst there are many facets to the College, our core function is teaching and learning. Essentially, regardless of everything else, we only succeed when our students succeed. We have set high standards for students to achieve a Performance Award or an Academic Blue Award - a minimum of 50 credits achieved at the Merit or Excellence Level for a Performance Award, and 30 credits or more at Excellence Level for an Academic Blue. This ‘hurdle’ remains fixed, and it is really pleasing to note that over recent years more and more students are achieving these levels. It was therefore a real delight and privilege last week to be part of our assemblies where we recognised our students with these awards, and also recognised our Top Scholars for NCEA Level 1 and Level 2 for 2012. The successful students are listed further through this newsletter. Congratulations to all students who were recognised for their work and success, and a special congratulations to their parents and caregivers for their support, no doubt at times putting in at least as much effort and stress into the learning as their child did!
One of the highlights of the year for me is when we recognise individual students for their
Cheers Grant McMillan Principal
Staff - Farewells At the end of this term Ashburton College farewells a number of staff with regret, but also with best wishes and appreciation for all that each has offered to the students, staff and College community in their time with us, across a number of areas.
Pauline Mulrooney Has been a valued part of our library staff team for the past ten years and will
be missed for her efficiencies, commitment and knowledge. Pauline leaves us for a career change and new directions.
Lori Rusbatch
Heidi Edgeler
Information
Congratulations
Festival of the Spoken Word
Academic Blues and Performance Awards The Awards are based on students’ previous year’s NCEA Results. The Top Scholar students at each year level have achieved the greatest number of Excellence Credits and also receive a Colours Badge.
Tomorrow, Tuesday 16 April, 7:00pm, College Auditorium
Top Scholars
Come and hear our talented students performing serious and humorous sketches, monologues, and group presentations. This is also a House Competition. Tickets: $5:00, available at the College Office from Thursday 11 April.
Mt Hutt Ski Pass - Application Forms (for students) close this Friday NZSki is pleased to again offer our students a special deal on season passes for 2013. Application Forms are now available for collection from the College Office, Student Counter. For Secondary School students/Year 9 and above: $150.00 (Mt Hutt Pass). The last day for payment at the College is Friday 19 April 2013 (final day of term). (Applications will not be able to be accepted after this date).
Transition Department News Liaison Visits:
Various tertiary institutions and community groups visit the College during our Year 13 Forum on Tuesdays, to share information with students about courses and programmes they offer. Year 12 students are welcome to attend also, but need to register their names at the Transition Office before the visit. The following visits are scheduled for the next few weeks: Registrar of Electors – 16 April Aoraki Polytechnic Otago University – 07 May Otago Polytechnic Christchurch Polytechnic (CPIT) – 14 May Lincoln University Victoria University – Wednesday 20 May, 11.25am
– 21 May – 28 May – 04 June
Jess Wilson
Head of Faculty, Science, Jess finishes at the end of this term on maternity leave and she is wished well for the time ahead.
Information Ashburton College Board of Trustees Interested people are encouraged to stand for the Board of Trustees or to nominate someone for the position. The College has a progressive, focused Board of Trustees which looks forward to welcoming new members. Because the Board has adopted the ‘staggered election’ process at each eighteen month election three parent representatives are called for. This election also includes nominations and voting for a Staff Representative. Further information will be advertised, and full information posted to all on the roll, but key dates are: • Tuesday 23 April • Noon, Thursday 16 May • By Tuesday 21 May • Thursday 30 May • Wednesday 05 June • Thursday 06 June
Information calling for nominations will be posted to all on the roll. Nominations close. Voting papers distributed, if a vote is required. Election Date - Voting day. Votes counted/Results declared. Board takes office.
For any process information please contact the Returning Officer, Sheena Tyrrell, 308 4193, ext 812. For information on being a Board Member please talk to any Board Member or contact Sheena Tyrrell who can put you in touch with a Board Member.
From the Canterbury District Health Board Free Influenza Vaccinations For Under 18s The District Health Board advises that ‘in 2013 and for the next two years at least, the Canterbury Health System is offering free flu vaccinations in Canterbury for youth aged under 18. It is important to vaccinate under 18s because influenza spreads quickly through pre-school and school communities and because children under 5 are particularly vulnerable’. We in Canterbury care about the vulnerable people in our community and so this year, our message is “protection for others starts with you”.
Parent/Caregiver-Teacher Interviews Year 11, Monday 20 May Year 11 Interviews are being held on Monday 20 May, at the Hotel Ashburton. Where possible parents/caregivers are asked to book interview times on-line, through the School-Links website: www.school-links.org.nz. The on-line booking facility will be open from Wednesday 08 May until noon on Monday 20 May. 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 To’ Book On-Line: If you have 1. forgotten your password: If you know your User Name, your password can be reset through School-Links. Type in your User Name and enter. Click on ‘forgotten your password’ and follow the steps. 2. forgotten both your User Name and your Password: Please contact the College Office – 308 4193, ext 861. 3. for further guidance on how to book, once signed in, go to ‘Events’ tab and find ‘Help on Booking Parents/Teacher Interviews’. 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.
Level 1
Caitlin Adlam, Ashleigh Bell, Matthew Boote, (Pictured right) Sophie Congdon, Chelsea Corbett, Madeleine Awatea Timothy Davidson, Brittney Davis, Alesha East, Heni Ede, receives his Blues Harry Ferguson, Laurent Fifield, Olivia Fleming, Award from Grant Hayley Gimblett, Leah Gorman, Brooke Harnett, McMillan, Principal, Ashley Jane Harrison, Laura Harrison, Kate Hollings, with Greg Jones, Stacey Hopwood, Beth Jopson, Charlotte Leopold, Head of Senior Danielle McNab, Savanna Millar McArthur, Duxley School, looking on. Mui, Amber O’Rourke, Devam Pandya, Zac Plumb, Imogen Reid, Carl Reyes, Ari Settle, Jamie Smitheram, Julia Tarbotton, Kate Taylor, Awatea Timothy, Manuela Totolici, Adam Tupper, Brendan Whalley.
Level 2
These students have achieved a total of 50 or more Excellence and Merit Credits.
A bus will leave from the College at 5:00am and return at 9:00pm. Information and permission forms were made available last week, and need to be returned, with bus fare, to the College Office by the end of this week (Friday 19 April).
Careers Expo - CBS Arena, Christchurch on 16-18 May:
Information and permission forms are available to Year 12 and Year 13 students from today, Monday 15 April.
Teacher of Mathematics. Tom commenced with the College at the beginning of 2012, and has enjoyed his time with us – as we have him - but is moving with family back to the United States.
These students have achieved 30 or more Excellence Credits.
The day provides an opportunity for students to tour Halls of Residence, explore the campuses and sit in on various lectures.
Teacher of Science has resigned to take up a new position at Motueka High School. Heidi first commenced at Ashburton College at the start of 2006. Amongst her willing contributions Heidi has also very successfully driven Ashburton College’s recycling capabilities, while many students have learnt the art of Rock Climbing due to the opportunities she provided.
Tom Gilson
Blues Recipients
This trip is for Year 13 students looking to attend University of Otago or Otago Polytechnic next year.
Dunedin Tertiary Information Day – Monday 13 May:
This event provides an excellent opportunity to visit many tertiary providers in the one place.
Has given much to the College in his role over recent years as Kapa Haka Tutor at Ashburton College. The College and students have benefitted much from his contributions.
Victoria Squires Level 2
Joshua Aberhart, Nicole Adams, Jasmine Andrada, Rebecca Armstrong, Caitlyn Bassett, Jacob Beeman, Kelly Body, Ellen Dakers, Logan Donald, Maisie Fleming, Melissa Gooseman, Grace Goulter, Joshua Heney, Laura Kell, Monica Leadley, Mark Mably, Emily Moore, Savanna Ornsby, Jessica Pelayo, Stephanie Porter, Faliesha Pound, Savanna Sewell, Victoria Squires, Ryan Strijbis, Dominika Van, Hannah Waters.
Lori has been a valued Teacher Aide with the Community Entry Programme, since February 2005 and will be much missed by students and staff for her positive and effective contributions.
Richard Leef
Adam Tupper Level 1
While open to the public over the three days, the College is running buses up on Thursday 16 May, to attend between 5.30-7.00pm.
University of Canterbury Information Day- Friday 26 April
This information day is at the Christchurch campus (first week of the student holiday break). Got to www.canterbury.ac.nz/infoday for timetable and maps.
College Uniform Clothing Shop Good quality, second-hand uniform clothing is available for purchase at the College Clothing Shop. The next Clothing Shop open date is this Thursday, 18 April. Please come to the Main Entrance of the College where we can direct you to the shop. The first open date for Term 2 will be Thursday 16 May and thereafter on the first and third Thursday of each month, from 10:00am – 1:00pm. Winter College Uniform Supplies Welcomed We continue to welcome second-hand uniform items, especially winter clothing. If you can help us with these this would be much appreciated. Items can be delivered to the College Office. We do ask that the clothing is cleaned, ready for sale. Clothing can be either donated, or offered for sale (80% return of sale to you).
Performance Awards Level 1
Jake Badger, Brittany Butler, Alex Dorreen, Thomas Dudley, Matthew Gill, Kate Green, Ryan Hampton, Lucy Harrison, Andrew Hawthorne, Nicole Johnson, Mary Kitchen, Nicolaas Klever, Sonya Leadley, Macey Kaye Linwood, Mitchell Lovett, Benjamin Lysaght, Brittany McCloy, Ben McFadden, Taylor Miller, Jemma Rotch, Caleb Tuck, Michael Ward, Connor Wilson, James Woods, Jesse Woods, Hannah Wright.
Level 2
Aidan Achten, Ross Allott, Matthew Arnold, Campbell Bedward-Chapman, Hannah Cairns, Bradley Chisnall, Brooke Clark, Georgia Clark, Amanda Fleming, Phoebe Ganda, Cameron Havis, Adam Hodge, Olivia Kennedy, Amelia Lane, Danyelle Lusty, Abbey Marshall, Jack Meyrick, Carys Morgans, Paul Nittmann, Nick Ralston, Ella Robertson, Alanna Rush, Chantal Steiner-Garner, Jackie Tait, John Tarry, Erica Turnbull.
Meet our Junior Student Leaders At both Year 9 and Year 10 levels Student Councils operate, with each class voting for their representative. Included in their roles are planning activities, and particularly so at the end of the year; meeting and supporting new students in their year level; liaising between their class and year level Tutors; being available for occasional College representation at events and contributing ideas to further develop the College for students. The College greatly appreciates the input of its student leaders and thanks these students for being prepared to take responsibility.
Year 10 Council Members (Pictured right, back row, left to right): Olivia Barclay, Gabrielle Stringer, Lauren Rattray, Katie Hill, Jed New, Jacob Gould, Tom Norton, William Brett. (Front row, left to right): Maddison Gourley, Missy Fawcett, Mikayla Heney, Libby Clark-Higson, Aiden Hobson, Ben Knights, TJ Sparks, Lewis Potts.
Year 9 Council Members (Pictured left, back row, left to right): Emma Simonsen, Grace Wills, Sophie Vessey, Aaron Hemi, Jazz Tupe, Ardee Freedom, James Prendergast. (Front row, left to right): Liam Henderson, Mikhaela O’Connell, Sophie Beckley, Sean Achten, Jacob Tocher-Morgan, Sophie Ketley, Neave WyberBell, George Chapman, Cameron Jopson.
Ashburton College Library - Te Whare Pukapuka Matauranga Ashburton College’s Library is a centre committed to supporting teaching and learning. Our website is available to visit, 24/7, for help with research, homework help and reading lists:
Ashburton College AshDance 2013
http://ashcolllib.wordpress.com
Events Cultural: Universal Cultural Exchange - Thailand Group On the 15 March Ashburton College welcomed twenty students and one teacher from an organisation called Universal Cultural Exchange in Thailand. These students and their teacher have been placed into very caring homestay families in the community. To support them during their days at College each student also has an Ashburton College student as their buddy. The students are with us for nine weeks and have a very comprehensive itinerary for this period of time. Their first week involved half-day ESOL lessons and orientation to the College and New Zealand. The following weeks include five one-day trips, including their recent visit to the University of Canterbury and the Antarctic Centre (pictured right and below left). The students will also take part in cooking classes, Kiwi Sports and a farm visit. The students are a fantastic group of young people and we are very pleased to be welcoming them to Ashburton College. (Pictured right): Thai Students perform for the audience at AshDance.
Curriculum Related : New Zealand Ballet Workshop On 26 March thirteen Year 10 to Year 13 students participated in a two hour Dance Workshop facilitated by the Royal New Zealand Ballet. The Workshop was offered in conjunction with the latest tour called ‘Made to Move’ which was performed at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre the weekend before the Workshop. Hannah Kaye, Dance Educator with the Ballet Company, ran the group through a variety of activities. Students enjoyed the practical aspects of the workshop as well as the question and answer session at the end. Students were taught the core ballet positions, which built on to a sequence of movements. These movements developed into learning a group piece from the ‘Made to Move’ choreography. The Workshop was concluded by the students devising their own movements to a piece of spoken word, rather than music. The students responded to the pace and intonation of the language in small groups, before performing to the wider group. Feedback from the students was very positive and it would be great to offer the opportunity again later in the year when the ballet tours the classic ‘Swan Lake’. The Workshop was challenging both physically and creatively.
By College Journalism Student Maria Totolici
(Pictured right): Performers come together at the end of the evening for a Group Dance The fourth annual Ashburton College AshDance took place this year on Tuesday 25 March at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre. AshDance is a chance for the students of Ashburton College to impress the community with their dancing and performing talents as they take the spotlight with their twists and turns. AshDance was the College’s first event on the cultural calendar and this year saw fourteen acts with forty students performing on the evening to an impressive crowd of over 300 people. Adjudicating the evening were the two judges: Justine Hanrahan, a dancing teacher, and Mark Cherry, a performer. Head Boy, Kane Olsen, and Head Girl, Fifi Fakapelea MC’d the event and amused the audience with their encouraging statements and entertaining dancing. The night’s big winner was Jess Dray, placing first for her and fellow dancer Fergielyn Catayoc’s stunning hip-hop performance of ‘My Chick Bad’. Second place went to Jess again with her elegant solo dance ‘Born To Die’. Third equal place was given to Iakopo Iakopo and Jasem Sooaemalelagi for their skilful and entertaining ‘Harlem Shake Remix’ and Jess Dray and Jessie Thomson with a flowing jazz dance ‘Tough Lover’. This year saw the return of the People’s Choice Award; this allows the members of the audience to vote for their favourite act to receive a prize for their impressive dancing on the evening. This year’s People’s Choice Award went to The Filipino group ‘Syntax Error’ with their crowd-pleasing remix of ‘Tipsy, Dance Again and International Love’. The exciting evening of dance was mainly organised by Claire Robertshaw (Head of Arts Faculty) with the help of Lyndal Lane (Arts Co-ordinator). Further help from volunteering teachers completed the evening and contributed to the overall level of entertainment for the night. “AshDance is a great opportunity for students at College as it shows a wide variety of dancing and interests from the students and it is different from the rest of the College’s productions in the way that it is more open-ended than the rest”, said Miss Robertshaw. “This was only our second time having AshDance in the Event Centre (it being previously held in the College Auditorium) and it would be great to see many students participating next year”.
Overall Results Were: 1st Place: 2nd Place: 3rd Equal:
Jess Dray, Fergielyn Catayoc - My Chick Bad Jess Dray - Born to Die JJ - Harlem Shake Remix: Iakopo Iakopo & Jasem Sooaemalelagi; The Jess’s Group: Jess Dray and Jessie Thomson - Tough Lover Most Versatile Dancer: Jess Dray, for her Choreography, and her three different styles of dance, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Jazz, which she did to a very high level and gave a strong performance. People’s Choice Award: Syntax Error - Remix Tipsy, Dance Again and International Love Angela Naui, Shane Lee, Erianne Santos, C.J. Reyes, Marc Christian Teves, Hannah Jerao, Ginaefer Teves, Mary Barlaan & Nel Belza. Very Highly Commended: Unknown - Remix: Hosea Abera, Jamahl Abera, Johnson Manihera-Hohaia, Te Aranga Manihera-Hohaia. (Pictured, from left to right): Fergielyn Catayoc, Jess Dray; Jess Dray (Photo courtesy of Roger Farr (ATEC)) and ‘Unknown’ performing a Remix.