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Strengthening the Bonds throughout the McGlashan Community
Dear McGlashan community, The effort of connecting and engaging with learning from home will have its stresses and the most important message I can give you is to keep things calm and in perspective. There is a plethora of helpful advice coming at us from every angle but please choose what is right for your family. The staff at McGlashan understand the challenges of distance learning. As I have said before, please stay connected with us and seek help if you are struggling. In the coming days and weeks, we will include more detail around what de-escalation looks like and how this might play out for schools. The complexities of returning to school and functioning at Level 2 or 3 have been communicated to the Ministry at a local level and they have listened. At every level, plans will continue to be predicated on student well-being and will support their need to be motivated and connected learners. John McGlashan College will continue to make decisions about how to best support students in a grounded and pragmatic way. Level 3 and University Entrance continue to be of key importance so that our students will be in a position to transition to their chosen next steps. There has been considerable discussion about how the qualification can be altered, amended or paused to help us respond to the consequences of the COVID-19 situation. We expect to hear more from the Ministry and NZQA about how this will affect any current practices. Our qualification system is both robust and flexible and any changes will have an international and generational impact so must be well thought through. Data from our first day of online learning indicates almost 100% take-up. Obviously, most of our students are eager to connect with their teachers and maintain their learning and our staff have responded in typical fashion by putting together programmes that are relevant, engaging and manageable. You may have seen Nigel Latta on Seven Sharp on Wednesday evening. He advised parents that the most beneficial approach to getting your family through the current situation is to promote a calm and settled home environment. Regards to you all. Neil Garry Principal *The information gathered here comes from the most recent communications from the Secondary Schools Principals’ Association of NZ.
FROM THE DEANS
HEY YEAR 7 AND 8! A successful start has been made to our new phase in learning in 2020. Thank you to all the young men, parents, and staff who have stepped outside their comfort zones and collaborated in our new way of learning. I must admit, stepping outside the door in the darkness on a cold morning has not fared well in comparison with staying beside the fire, with coffee on hand. To the youngest members of our college, well done with being on time and prepared for your online classes this week. Remember your class schedule and checklists are there to help you organise your days, but you can work at your own pace and at times that are suitable to you and others in your bubble. For a start you should aim to make all Zoom meetings, but as you get to grips with how the programme works this may just be a quick check in, before continuing with your activities. Your teachers will do their best to make the learning intentions clear in Zoom meetings and on Google classroom, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with them if anything needs clarification. It is also important that you keep in touch with your classmates. Just like in our classrooms, your peers can be a great support and a wealth of information. Although we’re not directly face-to-face in the classroom, we are still all in this together. He waka eke noa. We are aware that there are a number of different realities at play in homes. All we ask of you is to keep up some learning and do your best. Try to stick to a routine that works for you. Our expectations are not exactly the same for everyone. Staff of the junior school welcome the contact made by parents also, in aiding your son’s learning and their wellbeing. There has been a lot of talk about how different our worlds could be when we come out the other side of all this. Wouldn’t it be great to have mastered something new or accomplished something that we just haven’t had enough time to do? This could be the start of many a bright future. Get creative, be productive, work on connecting with people, and most of all be kind. I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Michele Roger
Welcome back to school life but not quite as we know it perhaps. I trust you had a good holiday break and that you and your families are all safe and well. With the world a little mixed up and on its head at the moment, I just wanted to take this chance to stress to you all how important it will be to make the most of the online schooling that has just kicked off. Not only will continuing to learn and master the skills being taught be vital moving forward, so too will getting back into routines and good work habits for when things get back to normal. Some things may be on hold at present but hopes, dreams and goals are not. The College’s aim of best preparing you to help meet these, remains as a priority. So set aside a quiet place to work, avoid distractions, ask for help when needed and set yourself daily goals to get the tasks asked of you done each day. From early reports, the Junior school has started this unique way of learning incredibly well. Good stuff and keep it up boys. At the start of this adventure I challenged my form classes to make this lock down a positive. To do this, I suggested they try something new or challenging. Mastering a skill you always wished you had but never had the time to learn will allow you to look back at this time with pride and fondness. Learning a language, taking on the guitar or even just getting fitter are all good targets. Mr Duncan for one has opted for a push-up challenge and reading Ulysses by James Joyce. See what you can come up with! Finally, being in lock down for as long as we have can obviously be a challenge. Be kind to others, and yourself. Help out where possible at home and possibly in the community. But also make time to do the things you enjoy too. If you are concerned or stressed about anything at all, please feel free to contact me or your form teacher to help get things off your chest. Mr Kelk and Mr Shields are also excellent contacts to talk things over with and they are only too willing to advise you on any issue. Take care men, and stay safe. I look forward to reacquainting myself with many of you via the internet over these next few weeks. Then, hopefully in person again soon enough. Kia kaha Andy Duncan
YEAR 9
YEAR 12 AND 13
The boys have made a great start to their online learning. We have been impressed by the level of organisation and commitment that they have shown in these first few days. There has been a lot of information for the boys to take in and they are managing this admirably.
YEAR 10 AND 11
There are Three things that we would like them to keep in mind as we adjust to this new way of learning: • Set yourself up for success. Find a suitable workspace that allows you to remain focused, give yourself breaks (stretch, get some fresh air and give your eyes a break from the screen) and leave social media alone when it’s time to work...just as you would in the classroom. • Communication is key. We are all trying to figure out this new way of learning, so please let us know what is and isn’t working, or anything else that could help us in supporting you at this time. Communicate with each other as well. Help each other navigate all the information coming at you, or share the tips and tricks you are discovering that have helped you out. • Be helpful at home. Like you, parents are
It was a really good start to online learning for the senior school - great to see good turn-outs for form time and class zoom meetings. It is now so important for boys to establish new routines particularly: • being ready for class 5 minutes beforehand. • having a separate space to work, definitely not in bed. • having phones well away during classes.
adjusting to this new way of life, so look for opportunities to help out - entertain younger siblings, do the dishes without being asked, offer to make dinner one night... you’ll be surprised how grateful people will be for small acts. The photo is of my work station in the spare room /now gym. Mr 6 thought it was a little boring so he drew some horses to keep me company. This is where all my zoom meetings are happening. Definitely not as bright and colourful as my classroom. Donna Smith
After such a long and strange break from school, it was really great to see students and get back into some routine. I am really pleased about how nearly every student was at form time and went to all of their classes on day one of online learning and ask that you keep it up! Please try to be extra-nice to those inside your bubble. I am finding that sometimes it can get a bit much hanging out with the same people, all day everyday but then I remember that nobody has chosen this situation and we’re all bumbling on together. So, then I go and deliberately do something nice for my wife or kids. Take care out there. Clark Boswell
I also strongly encourage all senior boys to be doing some form of exercise EVERYDAY. It is amazing what you can do and also how simple it can be. This is great for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and also good for those around you in your bubble. Some different examples of exercise I have come across are Les Mills classes on TV, ‘Get Set’ app - a free app with a range of exercises that can be done at home - trampolining, bike/run duathlons and of course going for a run. Boys, keep up with your school work but also remember to help out at home, don’t be afraid to ask if you can help with the cleaning or the cooking or, better still, use your initiative. If anyone needs to contact me please email tom@mcglashan.school.nz Stay safe and be active. Mr Casey
INTERNATIONAL As we enter into our third day of distance learning it has been nice to see that the boys are engaging very well with the program and are happy to see each other and their teachers - if only online at the moment. As always (but maybe even more important at the moment) please do not hesitate to get in touch with the International Department with any of your questions, positive comments or concerns, we are here to help and to listen. Best way to reach us is still via email and we are here to help: International Student Manager: Ms Colleen O’Connor: colleen.oconnor@mcglashan.school.nz Director of International Students: Ms Anna Noble: anna.noble@mcglashan.school.nz
Lachie Crowle (year 12)
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING DURING LOCKDOWN? This week will certainly see some changes in education. I know our fantastic teachers have been working so hard from home to get classes up and running on line, so I am guessing their running out and about for fitness may change a bit - knowing most of them it will just mean setting the alarm clock to a ridiculous hour! I have asked a couple of questions to staff, students and ex-students: 1. What has been the best thing about lockdown? 2. What do you miss the most from outside your bubble? Glen Clark (Staff) 1. Spending time getting to bond with his new one month old son, William, and keeping nearly three year old Charlie entertained (looks like a fun time!). 2. Takeaways! Toby Dean (Year 12) 1. Being able to relax and enjoy time away from the busy schedule of school. He has been trying to teach his new puppy to play fetch…..still a work in progress! 2. Sport. Tony Gomez (Staff) 1. Appreciating the simple life and enjoying “me” time and family together. 2. I haven’t missed much as I fully understand this lockdown in temporary, so I have programmed myself accordingly, but the longer it goes on the more you think about the general loss of freedom to do what you want when you want. Max Gomez (2018 leaver) 1. Being home with family. 2. Good mates at Uni, face to face banter with friends and social times. Troy Jennings (Staff) 1. Spending time with family, lots of exercise, old board games (gutter board?! I will need that one explained), and the night skies here in the south which are amazing. 2. Seeing other people and not being able to watch any live sport! Lachie Crowle (Year 12) 1. Spending quality time with family as we are always on the go. Nice to chill at home together. 2. Missing the hockey turf and his mates. Ben Wright (2016 leaver) 1. Spending time with family. 2. Missing the social life of Dunedin – flatmates and sport. Henry Bell (2017 Head boy) 1. Mum’s home cooking, and spending time on the farm with family. 2. Missing mates and rugby. Helen Clulee
MR MCLEAN’S RECIPE OF THE WEEK This might help you win Krishan’s cooking challenge! Charred Vege Salad Wrap (makes 3-4) Ingredients: 1 x courgette 1 x capsicum 1 x chilli 1 x red onion peeled 1 cup couscous 2 Tbsp each of sunflower seeds and Hazelnuts 1tsp fennel seeds 1 tsp dry oregano ½ tsp ground cumin 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp cider vinegar Salt and Pepper 3-4 tortillas ¼ cup crumbled feta ¼ cup Greek yoghurt 1. In a dry fry pan, place the vegetable on the heat. Turn until they are grilled/browned/charred on the outside. They need to be darker than you think with some charring/black on the outside skin of each vegetable. 2. Add boiling water to 1 Cup of couscous until it is covered by 1cm of water. Cover with plastic wrap and leave. 3. On a dry oven tray spread sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and fennel seeds. Bake at 180 degrees until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and roughly crush. Add dry oregano. 4. Once vegetables are charred/grilled take stalk out of capsicum and core out of onion. Roughly chop until combined. Add oil, vinegar, cumin and season. 5. Heat tortilla in pan, spread charred vegetable mix in centre of tortilla, sprinkle nut mixture over top. Dress with feta, yoghurt and dash of siracha sauce if you enjoy spicy food.
PREFECT’S CHALLENGE What have you been doing during Isolation? Test your art skills and show us in a drawing/ painting or through photography. Email Tony Gomez your entries tony.gomez@mcglashan. school.nz Congratulations also to the week one winner for the trick shot goes to Callum White with his outstanding golf shot. Check it out on Facebook. Max, Billy and Will.
RESEARCH HELP - ONLINE LIBRARY RESOURCES If you are looking for information on the Year 8 Local History topic, the Year 9 Integrated Studies task or the Year 11 NZ History project have a look at our library Web App under the appropriate information box (images above). We are adding new resources daily. If you want to do your own search you can use Epic or One Search, also from the web app. Instructions for logging on are provided here JMC Library Online Resources. Reminder ... The ePlatform has hundreds of ebooks and audiobooks so you need never be without a good book. There are also links to a myriad of other free digital material on the web app. If you have any questions please get in touch, we are only too happy to help you: library@mcglashan.school.nz