6
community news
sUNDAY JUNE 7 2009 N
June 2009
Papanui High School
NEWSLETTER Links strengthened
from the Principal Greetings, Tena Koutou Katoa One of the values underpinning the revised New Zealand Curriculum is “excellence”. Unfortunately, in a country where the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well, excellence is often a casualty. At Papanui High School we want our students to value excellence. We want them to aim high. The recent ERO review indicated that we’re doing well in this regard. The report stated “students are encouraged to achieve their personal best both academically and in all areas of their lives” and “students know they can achieve and are expected to aim for excellence. Teachers share with students high expectations for learning and behaviour”. Previously we’ve annually recognised excellence in sporting and cultural fields, but academic recognition has been restricted to end of year prize givings. Two innovations this year will further encourage students to strive for excellence. • At special assemblies in Term 2 students who had achieved NCEA certificates endorsed with Merit or Excellence were recognised with NCEA “Blues”. Parents of these students were present to see their children receive their certificates and badges. The guest speaker, Richard Souness, was Dux of the school in 2004. • Staff have recently completed a process of identifying Year 11, 12 and 13 students who have potential to gain Excellence and Merit endorsements in NCEA. Parents of these students will shortly receive a letter aimed at encouraging students to realise their excellence potential.
Denis Pyatt Principal
Papanui High School’s links with three secondary schools in Changsha in China were further strengthened last month when Mr Barron, Ms Archer and Mr Pyatt spent two weeks in the schools. The teachers experienced the Chinese education system and worked with their counter- Above: parts in the schools. Welcome It is hoped that these ceremony. visits, which are aimed at raising awareness of China by staff Right: and students and at Morning increasing the number exercise of fee-paying students at Jin coming to the school will become an annual Hai High School event in the future.
Tutors needed
Enrolment reminder
The Adult and Community Education Department Applications for both in-zone and out-ofrequires tutors with new and innovative course ideas zone enrolments are due at the school office for Term 4 2009. If this sounds like you then please send by July 31. For further information please contact the your CV together with a course outline to: Papanui High School Adult and Community Education, PO Box 5220, school office on 352 6119. CHRISTCHURCH 8542, by Friday, July 31.
Major production This year’s major production, Peter Pan, runs from Wednesday June 24 to Friday June 26 in the school hall. The show starts at 7:30pm and tickets cost $10 for adults, $6 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased from the school office.
A full copy of the review can be accessed at: www.ero.govt.nz
The school’s PTA fundraising evening takes place Monday 29th June at 7.30pm in the school hall. A chance to view some of the fabulous outfits worn at this year’s Senior Ball. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets from the student office: Adults – $10 students – $5
Read the Newsletter on Papanui High School’s website: www.papanui.school.nz
community news
sUNDAY JUNE 7 2009 n
7
June 2009
Papanui High School
NEWSLETTER We congratulate:
NZ Music Month
Above: The Flute group performs at the Papanui Methodist Church. Left: Forget Gravity. The Papanui High School Music Department has been particularly active this month, with performances celebrating NZ Music Month in the community. The school Chamber Group, Chorale and Jazz Ensemble entertained during lunchtimes at the Papanui Public Library throughout the month, while the Flute Ensemble,
Chamber Group and Chorale performed a mixed musical afternoon concert at the Papanui Methodist Church. This month also saw two rock The String group performs at the Papanui bands gain a place at the regional finals of Rock Quest. Drummer Matt Library Andrews played with a combined “Forget Gravity” featuring Jackson group “We the night sky” from St Bray, Jesse Bennett, Liam Ooi and Andrews College and junior group Liam Carroll also qualified.
• In this year’s school cross country, right, the year level winners were: Year 9 Ben Musson and Eleanor Clark, Year 10 Matthew Brorens and Ruby Somerville, Year 11 Michael Jones and Anna Brinsdon, Year 12 Tristan Nichol and Stefanie Moore, Year 13 Josh Butler and Rebecca Harris. • A small team participated in the Canterbury Secondary Schools Cross Country at Halswell Quarry. A number of athletes had strong performances, in particular Ben Musson who was 4th in the under 14 boys’ race. Others had strong personal performances include Matt Brorens, Samantha Waugh, Anna Brinsdon and Matt Harris. • Four students (Anna Brinsdon, Michael Jones, Matthew Brorens and Ben Musson) took part in the Canterbury Secondary Schools Road Race. Ben gained
Open School More than 800 people attended the Open School in late May. They gathered in the assembly hall for speeches by the Principal, the Board chair and the Head Students before enjoying tours of the school looking at a variety of activities, guided by groups of current students.
Student Health Week activities • During Health Week, Methcon again visited the school. Each year level was involved with a presentation that covered the effects of methamphetamine, cannabis and alcohol. • The Student Health and Sports committee ran a very successful week
For your
of lunchtime activities for the students. Students were able to participate in a body jam aerobics session, take part in a team quiz competition, watch the students beat the staff at basketball and eat a healthy food selection prepared by the Home Economics classes.
Diary June
9–16............. Year 13 Outdoor Education camps 19.................. School Ball Rockquest 24–26.......... Major Production – Peter Pan 25................. Board of Trustees meet 29................. Glimpse of the Ball 29-3 July.... Year 12 Outdoor Education camps
July
3.................... Last day of Term 2 19.................. First day of Term 3
• Daniel Gray who gained first place in the Individual section of the annual Year 11 Casio Calculator Competition held at Christchurch Boys High School. • Jason Reed who has been selected for the Canterbury Promising Rugby Referees Academy. • Stefanie Moore who was selected to represent North Canterbury at the BBNZ 19 National Basketball Tournament. • Jen Eder who won an iPod for her written contribution after the Young Leader’s seminar at the Convention Centre. • Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the Tu Kanohi Ora Programme Merenia Clarke, Philip Williamson, Brandon August-Stockton, Tyson Dench-Poutu, Joshua Karaitiana, Tiana Milner, Chelsey Smart, Delanie Holland, Alannah Rickerby, Erena Waretini, Kathleen Lange, Chloe Batchelor, Janya Puru-Tongia, Sarah Faithfull, Claire Ruru, ChantelleTaylor-Harris, Georgia Karaitiana, Zion Smith, Joshua Taylor, Haylee Waaka, Baileah Postlethwaite, Yasmin Puru-Tongia, George Small and Pania Waretini. The programme focuses on Maori academic and cultural achievement and encourages making good choices for future pathways.
Excellence acknowledged
Our thanks
The school is particularly grateful to have received support from The Perry Foundation for new uniforms for our netball, cycling and rugby teams. A recent grant from The Mainland Foundation has enabled us to purchase new protective pads for our rugby goalposts.
2nd place. • Kimi Ora Unit students all competed in the Canterbury Secondary Schools Road Race Championships in the Athletes with Disabilities section. In the boys section Matthew Olley was placed 2nd, Joshua List 3rd and Joel Solomon 4th. In the girls section Grace Paterson was place 1st, Alecia Hawker 2nd Jessica Peters 3rd. Both boys and girls teams won the team events.
House competition heats up Arts Week provided an opportunity for further inter-house competition with events including theatresports, a design competition, sing star and busking. Ruu Whenau (Green house) won the sing star and Ahi Kaa (Red house) won the busking, theatresports and design competitions. Ahi Kaa won the Arts Shield.
Richard Souness the school’s Dux in 2004 addresses students and parents at the recent Academic “Blues” assemblies. Richard is now studying for a PhD at Otago University having recently gained a BA first class honours degree in Chemistry.
Read the Newsletter on Papanui High School’s website: www.papanui.school.nz
Ms Versteeg, Josh Butler and Melissa Kiesanowski judge the theatresports.
James Barron and Jayden Dodge entertain.