Tawa College February News letter issue 1

TAWA COLLEGE

Issue 1

February 2018

Dear Parents and Caregivers We are pleased to be back at College. The Staff and Board are looking forward to another positive year in 2018. I would particularly like to welcome new members of the Tawa College community. I trust that you have all enjoyed the warm and sunny weather and taken the opportunity for some recreation and relaxation over the holidays.

I am delighted to report that our academic results following the 2017 NCEA external examinations have been most pleasing. The results are currently provisional and will be subject to change. In NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 the percentage achievement rate for Tawa College students is considerably higher than the national average.

We have particularly high achievement rates at Year 12 and 13. Our students have obtained a high number of Merit and Excellence endorsements. In Year 13, 38 students achieved Excellence endorsements which is the highest number we have ever achieved at Year 13.

It is encouraging that many of our students are not settling for mediocrity. Adding to this success our students continue to be awarded university scholarships from Auckland, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury and Otago Universities. This certainly indicates that we are definitely achieving well academically.

We recently learned that students at Tawa College achieved 13 subject scholarships. Thomas Page achieved three subject scholarships in Chemistry, Calculus and Physics. I was very pleased with the breadth of subjects that Tawa College students gained Scholarships in.

The aim of the college is to develop all round students who contribute positively to society.

To do this I encourage all students to involve themselves in some aspect of the wider life of the college whether it be participating in a sport, the Dawn Chorus, Debating or

Tramping (to name just a few of our co-curricular groups).

We believe that all students should be involved in service. At the end of Term 4 last year, all Year 10 students took part in our Community Service programme.

They provided assistance to older members of the Tawa Community by completing gardening, cleaning and other household tasks. The initiative continues to be well received. I have included in this newsletter some of the positive feedback that we received from grateful members of our community. I applaud these students for stepping outside of their comfort zones and being willing to assist in such a positive way. In doing so, they formed positive and worthwhile connections within our community.

I value communication with you and welcome your feedback. Please do not hesitate to contact me about the good things that happen at Tawa College as well as any matters of concern that you would like to raise.

Staffing We are pleased to announce the following appointments for 2018: Loren Barnes Elise Basher Juliet Birch Sally Bowden Cayley Coughlin Scott Crookston Bronya Davies Rhys Egan Ricardo Livisone Allison MacKay Emma McDonald Amelia McKenzie Jana Polglase Kupe Renata Nikita Smith Rachel Swindells Joshua Thacker Toni Tippett

Murray Lucas Principal

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Transition Mathematics Food Technology Psychology Science & Biology Maths & Commerce Dance Science & Biology Social Sciences Science, Biology & Maths French Economics Dance Technology Psychology English English HOF Technology

Our Head Students for 2018 were announced at the Senior Prizegiving in November last year. The Head Students for 2018 are: Head Boy Head Girl Deputy Head Boy Deputy Head Girl

School App The School App was launched last year and continues to be an accessible source of information about the school.

Jake Keats Caitlin Clarke Dushan Francis Marama Butler

Please go to e2learn slide show and click to find more information.

The Prefects for 2018 are: Jaimie Balmer Anya Donohue Ciara Donohue Vienna Futi Melie Kerr Maria Leleifua-Malungahu Lauren Lim Rachael Lockhart Katherine Love Claire Murray Emma Ormsby Ana Sefesi Lucy Smith Trulani van der Heyde Gemma Young

Johniel Bocacao Nick Bryant Brad Crosbie Christopher Dang John Eccles Harry Findlay Daniel Fouhy Toby Gualter Toby Kennett Temaia McKenzie Kaylim Poese-Nathan Ebed Pohl Ram Sanoria McKenzie Te’o Elijah Uitime

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Cars entering / leaving college Caregivers are reminded that driving onto the grounds when students are entering and leaving college presents extreme dangers.

These times are clearly displayed at the Duncan Street gate. Please time your arrivals / exits so as not to endanger our students.

Beehives Residents in the vicinity have beehives. Students who know they are susceptible to bee stings need to be properly equipped / protected during these summer months.

PARENT PORTAL & SCHOOL APP

Parent/Student Portal

BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE - BYOD

Students at Tawa College who started from 2017 are expected to Bring Their Own Device. Last year there was a good uptake of Year 9s bringing them to school to use in their learning.

The Portal has had an upgrade over the holidays. Your logon and password remain as was last year and was sent to all caregivers and students (via their school email) over the holidays. If you are unsure, please contact your child’s form teacher. The Portal has the function to change passwords - this is now functional.

The Portal will be the main source for both parents and students for attendance, timetable and achievement.

This pattern has not continued into this school year – with teachers becoming frustrated that devices are not being brought to school.

There are good reasons for teachers moving into ELearning using devices: ● ●

This is part of the Tawa College Strategic Plan The College has well-developed E-Pedagogy resources across the curriculum

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● ●

● ●

Teachers are engaging in continuous upskilling around the use of computers to aid learning Continuing improvements in infrastructure ensures that wireless access is strong, continuous and widespread Cyber-safety agreements are in place NZQA and the Ministry of Education indicate that electronic examinations will be introduced before the end of 2020 – when these Year 9s are in Year 11.

For these reasons it is vitally important that students bring their devices to school each day.

If there are difficulties with this or other issues, please feel free to contact Mr Gale. Information about BYOD is on the front page of E2Learn.

UNIFORM AND STATIONERY NEW SYSTEMS

We would like to thank all parents and caregivers for the positive way you have adapted to the new procedures for the purchase of uniform and stationery. Introducing new procedures always presents challenges and with new systems there are always glitches. The new systems were introduced to provide greater flexibility to parents.

We have had a very positive response to the number of parents who have used the online stationery ordering from OfficeMax and online uniform purchasing, via ArgyleOnLine and the retail outlet at Classic Uniforms. Thank you for your support.

Freda Kelly Executive Officer

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES PE UNIFORMS If your child is going to be absent from college, please ring 232 8184 and push 1 for the absence line. Please state your child’s name, form class and the reason for the absence. Please also ring the college office if your child plans to sign out at any time during the school day for an appointment.

An automated text message is sent by the Absence Manager each day after Period 1. There is a significant cost to the school sending these texts. To increase our accuracy and reduce costs please ensure that you notify the college as early as possible if your child is away for any reason.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS YEARS 9-12 Some students are making their own arrangements with parents or caregivers to leave site and be collected during the day. If you make plans with your child, please ring the office to confirm in advance of their sign out.

This saves the office doubling-up on calls and ensures students are not held up when wanting to sign out urgently.

Students must wait at the office until we have heard from parents. We cannot accept text messages from parents on students' phones to confirm signing out.

If you have any spare items left over from students who have now left college, or are no longer taking PE as a subject, the PE Department would gratefully accept any unwanted PE gear. Items can be dropped at the school office. Thank you.

SPORTS DEPARTMENT

WINTER SPORT CODES registrations are open!! Please find the registration form on our sporty page under 'on line registrations'. Please contact the sports office if you have any queries, questions or concerns via email on sport@tawacollege.school.nz or phone 232 8184 x 851.

SUCCESS STORIES

Chief of Navy Scholarship Congratulations to our 2017 Head Boy, Austen Rangi who was awarded the Chief of Navy Scholarship. This is awarded to a long serving Sea Cadet who has demonstrated the Navy’s core values of courage, commitment and comradeship. Austen is a member of the TS Taupo Squadron. Below is a photo of Austen receiving his scholarship at Auckland’s Devonport Naval Base from the Chief of Navy.

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For further information, please email Alison Roberts, HOD Learning Support, on aliroberts@tawacollege.school.nz or telephone 232 8184 X 847.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Tawa College has a fine tradition of music making. We invite all students and especially new students to the school to get involved in the many activities on offer.

Hannan High School Exchange From January 6th to February 2nd of 2018, I went for a month exchange to our Japanese sister school, Hannan High School in Osaka. I stayed with two host families over the month, and both were very welcoming and took great care of me. They were just like family. With them, I got to experience a typical Japanese lifestyle and cultural differences which was very special.

There was a great balance between school and leisure time. During the exchange and I got to visit many places such as Namba, Universal Studios Japan, Kyoto, and more. Along with this, I formed many unforgettable friendships and memories. I found that by immersing myself in the culture and being in an environment where I had to communicate in a foreign language, I grew in confidence and improved my Japanese in a really fun way.

It was an amazing opportunity to do so outside of studying Japanese at school. I’d really like to thank Ms Yoon and Mr Conroy for helping organise this with Hannan High School and giving me this amazing opportunity. I hope I will be able to go back in the future and return the hospitality.

Jia Yen Tee, Year 13

LEARNING SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

Volunteer Reader-Writers As part of Tawa College’s commitment to support students with their learning we are looking for positive people to act as a reader and writer on a volunteer basis for internal and external assessments. This role entails reading an exam paper to a student and writing down their answers. Training will be provided.

All students are welcome to join Dawn Chorus (Friday morning 8am in the hall), Concert Band (woodwind and brass instrumentalists, Tuesday lunchtime – Music Block), String Group (Wednesday 8.30am – Music Block), Percussion Group (Monday lunch – H3), Early Birds (student led girls’ choir Wednesday lunch time in H3) and Jazz Band (Friday lunchtime in H2).

Barbershop singing is also a strength of the school. We run a girls’ chorus (Maiden Tawa) on Monday lunchtime in H2 and a boys’ chorus (Acafellas) on Wednesday lunchtime in H2.

Rock bands meet on a Thursday afternoon in the Music Block. If any student is interested in joining a band, please come along and we will do our best to find a band for you.

There is an extra-curricular notice that gives a lot more details about our music groups. This notice is available from the Music Department office.

Any questions please come to the music block and speak to one of our staff or email the Head of Department: Murray Cameron on mcameron@tawacollege.school.nz.

Concerts and Performance Opportunities Would families of music students please take note of the following important dates. Please pass on the concert dates to anyone in the community who you think would be interested in attending.

Barbershop Regionals – 24 May – Te Rauparaha Arena Maiden Tawa, Acafellas and Quartets will enter this event.

Big Sing Regional Festival – 18 or 19 June – Michael Fowler Centre Dawn Chorus, Early Birds and Blue Notes will spend the day and evening at this choral event

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June Tunes - 27 June - College Hall - 7pm A concert featuring the college’s choral groups.

Tawa Music Festival – Tawa Goes to Town – 25 September 2018 – Michael Fowler Centre This multi-media event features a massed choir from all the Tawa Schools together with an adult choir and a large backing band. All Dawn Chorus students represent the college in this event. There is an additional charge for this event.

Final Notes – 31 October – College Hall – 7pm Our end-of-year concert featuring a selection of the musical groups within the school.

Musical Production – July/August 2019 – College Hall More details next year.

Group Instrumental Lessons Secondary Schools are allocated teaching hours to provide group music lessons to students. Itinerant Music Teachers come to the school during the day to take the lessons. The number of hours given to the school is rollrelated. At Tawa College there is a high demand for this service and therefore it is necessary to apply restrictions and conditions. The school also owns some instruments to hire out to students. Lessons are on a set day weekly, but rotated so that the student does not miss the same subject each week.

Tuition is available in the following instruments to students taking music as an option subject: Bass (electric and/or string), Clarinet, Classical Guitar, Drums, Flute, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Viola, Voice (auditioned selection of students only).

Traditionally there are enough places left for students who are not taking music as a subject in the following instruments: Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin and Viola.

For a registration form please see Mr Cameron in the Music Block or email mcameron@tawacollege.school.nz.

TRANSITION AND CAREERS DEPARTMENT

Kathy has been appointed as the HOD of Transition.

Kathy has been at Tawa College for over 10 years in the PE and Maths Departments and is also a Year 13 Dean.

Prior to teaching she worked in corporate recruitment and liaised with universities around the country to recruit university graduates. You can contact Kathy on kwiltshire@tawacollege.school.nz Kerri joined Tawa College this year as the Gateway Coordinator. Kerri has worked in the equivalent area of a school in Brisbane for the past seven years, and prior to that was the Gateway Coordinator for St Mary's College in Wellington.

Tawa College Gateway Programme 2018 Gateway provides Year 12 and 13 students with the opportunity to trial a work place environment that they have an interest in. We are able to provide a variety of opportunities such as farming, building, early childcare, fitness, hairdressing and more! In addition, students complete both a Health and Safety and First Aid course prior to starting their work experience.

Students attend a work experience placement one school day per week and complete unit standards, relevant to their qualification, in their Gateway class at college. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity either as a parent or as an employer, please contact Kerri Rogers on 232 8184 xtn 861 or email krogers@tawacollege.school.nz.

Facebook and the Careers Department Facebook! Yes, we are on Facebook. Tawa College Careers Facebook Page. If you “like” and/or “follow” us, you will get to see and hear about all the upcoming events the Careers Team put together. Students Notices; please remember to read these each day for events that are coming up.

Careers & Transition: STAR Short Courses The chance for students to explore their future options during 2018 has started. There are a number of different taster courses running this term and more planned for Terms 2 and 3. For information about courses available please visit our Facebook page and read the Student Notices. If you know of a student (Years 12 or 13) who would benefit from participating in one of these courses, please encourage them to come and see Kath Gillum in T12 (T Block).

We would like to welcome Kathy Wiltshire and Kerri Rogers to the Careers Department. Both Kathy and Kerri are located in T10.

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TC Beanies Kath and our students have been trained and are ready to put their training into experience.

We sell Latte/Hot Chocolate/Cappuccino/Long Black/Flat White/Americano/Mocha – and add a shot of fun with Vanilla/Salted Caramel/Chai/Hazelnut/Caramel The trained/trainee Baristas are back! Come and see the students in action, $2.50 standard coffees or add a shot for an extra 50 cents.

Wednesday & Friday mornings 8am-9am up in the PTA Centre (behind the student canteen) all welcome – tell the community!

2018 Year 13 University Career Visits Auckland University Canterbury University Victoria University AUT Lincoln University Otago University AUT Victoria University

Friday 16th March Tuesday 27th March Friday 6th April Monday 9th April Friday 4th May Tuesday 22nd May Monday 13th August Tuesday 11 September

1.20pm to 2.20pm 1.20pm to 2.20pm 1.20pm to 2.20pm 10.30am

Library Annex Library Annex Library Annex TBC

1.20pm to 2.20pm 1.20pm to 2.20pm 1.20pm to 2.20pm 1.20pm to 2.20pm

Library Annex Library Annex TBC Library Annex

All New Zealand Universities are scheduled to visit Tawa College this year to present to interested Year 13 students. Please read Student Notices and watch the Tawa College Careers Facebook page for when these visits will be scheduled.

Future Pathways Career Expo Tawa College hosts a Career Expo biennially. This event will take place again this year on Wednesday 30th May 2018 from 6pm to 8.30pm, located in the school hall and old gym. As you may be aware, in the past this event has been most successful with major training institutions present and another 60-70 vocational areas represented. We encourage all junior and senior school students and their families/whanau to attend.

2018 University Open Days Otago University 7 May Information Day Waikato University 18 May Open Day Victoria University 5 July Year 12 Discovery Day Canterbury University 12 July Open Day Lincoln University TBA Open Day Massey University 1 August Palmerston North Open Day UCOL Palmerston TBA North Open Day Massey University 11 August Albany Auckland Massey University 31 August Wellington Open Day Victoria University 1 September Open Day Whitireia Polytechnic 31 August Wellington Campus Natcol Youbee Open 31 August Day NZ Fashion Tech 31 August

Wetltec Petone Open Day Weltec Wellington Open Day NZ School of Tourism Open Day Toi Whakaari Open Week Auckland University Open Day NZ Careers College Nanny School Taratahi Agricultural Training, Open Day

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Dunedin Hamilton 9am to 1pm Victoria Uni Christchurch Canterbury 9am to 2pm

9am to 2pm

9am to 2pm All Day All Day All Day All Day

TBA

Sessions at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm All Day

31 August

All Day

31 August

All Day

TBA

Wellington

1 September

All Day

TBA

9.30am to 3pm Wairarapa

TBA

TAWA COLLEGE COMMUNITY EDUCATION

School Holiday Experiences Applications in T10 and T11 Queenstown Apr, Jul Resort College & Oct

Career Weeks $350 per student – not including airfares Agriculture Taster Courses $100 per student for course, meals and accommodation

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, Masterton

Apr, Jul, Oct & Dec

Travel, Careers & Training, Wellington YOOBEE Digital Media Workshops

Apr, Jul, Oct

Taster Courses

Apr, Jul, Sep, Oct, Dec

Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School

Apr, Jul, Sep, Oct, Dec

EDENZ College – August Massey University Engineering Camp

Apr, Jul, Oct Jul

Pacific International Hotel Management School, New Plymouth

Apr, Jul, Sep, Oct, Dec

2 & 3 day courses: Film Production; Game Art; Digital Graphic Design Auditioning & Technical Skills (lighting, sound & design) workshops 3D Animation Camp & Film Bootcamp Manawatu Massey campus, 4 days, hands on experience Career Weeks $300 per student – not including transport

Maori & Pasifika Days Otago University: On Campus Experience for Pacific Island students Otago University: On Campus Experience for Maori students Massey University: Senior Pasifika Experience Senior Maori Experience Victoria University: Year 11 Maori and Pasifika Day Victoria University: Year 10 Maori and Pasifika Day

Community Education Term 1 2018 Many classes started last week with an increase in enrolments. Classes such as Maori Language and Culture, Woodwork, NZ Sign Language, Defensive Driving, Spanish, Sewing, Bollywood, Tai Chi, Pottery were all full and many had waiting lists.

There are still classes you can attend this term and these include Seminars and Weekend Classes.

Seminars still to come are: Tuesday 20 February Wednesday 21 February Monday 5 March Tuesday 6 March Thursday 15 March

Applications with Mrs Rogers in T11, applications close on 6 March 2018

Register with Mrs Rogers

Register with Mrs Rogers Register with Mrs Rogers

Cognitive Impairment & Dementia Sleep Workshop Overcoming Anxiety, Street & Depression Family Trusts, Wills & Power of Attorney Change your Thinking, Change your Life

Weekend courses include various Art classes, Cake Decorating, DIY, Raranga, Xero, Word, Excel, Patchwork and Sewing.

Weekly courses yet to start include Computer Basics, Japanese Cooking, Digital Photography and Crochet Intermediate.

For further information and details of all classes please go to the web page www.tawacomed.co.nz Judith Havill Community Education Coordinator

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COMMUNITY EVENTS and NOTICES

Music Tuition Dr. Elizabeth Sneyd QSM and Craig Utting MMus. LTCL QSM are offering expert tuition for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Theory and Composition at the Music Learning Centre in Tawa. Contact us on 027-630-7435 or info@musiclearning.co.nz All ages, and all levels, from Beginners, through the Grades to Diplomas.

BIGAIR Gymsports Tawa If you have a child who loves doing handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, flips, or cheerleading, then they will love Bigair Gym! At Bigair Gymsports, kids love Gymnastics, Trampolining, Tumbling, Parkour, and Cheerleading! We have classes to support children of all levels and interests.

As children learn new gym skills they will increase their flexibility, balance, coordination, strength, and fitness. The benefit for our children is that they learn extensive personal skills from Gym, which includes; increased self-confidence, self-reflection, listening skills, persistence, self-pride, and so much more! To find out more, please call our Bigair Gym Tawa on 2323508 or email office@bigairgym.co.nz Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet – Photo Competition The 18th annual Photo Competition run by the Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet (GOPI) is now under way. To encourage young photographers to enter the competition, a free photography workshop is being offered on Sunday 11th March with a possible postponement day on 18th March.

The workshop is open to anyone under the age of 18. It will be taught by Destina Munro, photojournalism tutor at Whitireia and former president of the Kapiti Camera Club.

The workshop begins with an illustrated indoor session, followed by a visit to the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve, finishing with a one on one look at the photos taken in the reserve. All the participants need to bring is a camera they are familiar with, a bottle of water and appropriate clothes (it can be muddy in the reserve).

We will gather at Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve cottage at 4.30pm. The workshop lasts about three hours.

Registration is essential. You will find the registration form on the website www.gopi.org.nz . Should you need to contact a member of the GOPI committee, phone 2339391 or 0273440068, or email email pauainlet@gmail.com.

For practical reasons, participation numbers will to be limited to 20.

Celebrating and advocating for Pauatahanui Inlet PO Box 57-034, Porirua 5247 Chairperson (04) 233 9391 Registered charity number CC47523 Check out our website: www.gopi.org.nz

Western Suburbs Football Trials Players interested in trailing for the Young Ole Academy programmes must express interest online at https://olefootballacademcy.co.nz/academy or via email to blake@ole.co.nz Trails Information All trials are held at Ole Football Academy, 22 Upper Main Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua. Dates and times: Grade 14 Grade 13

Born 2004 Born 2005

Sun 25 February

Grade 12 Grade 11

Born 2006 Born 2007

Sat 24 February

Grade 10 Grade 9

Born 2008 Born 2009

Saturday 24 February Saturday 24 February

Sun 25 February

Saturday 24 February

10am to 11am 11.30am to 12.30pm 10am to 11am 11.30am to 12.30pm 1pm to 2pm 2.15pm to 3.15pm

UPCOMING EVENTS (can be subject to change)

Please refer to the e2Learn website February 2018 Friday 23 Sunday 25 Monday 26

Athletics Day Years 9 & 10 Havelock Nth Exchange (away) Havelock Nth Exchange

March 2018 Friday 30

Good Friday school closed

April 2018 Monday 2 Tuesday 3 Monday 9 Friday 13

Easter Monday school closed School closed Academic Prizegiving End of Term 1 Early Closure at 1.20pm

Positive Feedback from Community Service We would like to sincerely thank the team of girls who came to clear the garden in Raroa Terrace. They worked cheerfully and hard during the increasing heat of the day. They all did a wonderful job so please thank them and the college team who organize this service project.

TAWA COLLEGE “DO JUSTLY”

TAWA COLLEGE “DO JUSTLY”