TAWA COLLEGE
Bangladesh in April. Tamara Ruaporo-Ngatuakana has been selected in the NZ Tae Kwon Do team to compete at the World Championships in Germany later this year. Past students Sophie Devine and Melie Kerr had a clean sweep win in the Twenty20 series over India as members of the NZ White Ferns.
Issue 1
February 2019
Dear Parents and Caregivers
This past weekend the Blue Notes enjoyed an excellent camp under the expert guidance and leadership of Mr Isaac Stone.
We are pleased to be back at college. We have been impressed with the enthusiasm and positive attitude of our new Year 9 cohort. I was delighted with the mihi whakatau that was held on Wednesday 30 January to welcome all new students and staff to Tawa College. I would particularly like to welcome new members of the Tawa College community.
I encourage all Year 9 parents and caregivers to attend the Meet the Form Teacher evening to be held on Thursday 21 February 2019. We look forward to working with parents and caregivers to ensure that all students maximise their potential.
I am delighted to report that our draft academic results following the 2018 NCEA external examinations have been most pleasing. Our NCEA Level 1 pass rate is currently at 85% which is above the national average for decile 8 to 10 schools. Currently our NCEA Level 2 pass rate is 81% and the NCEA Level 3 pass rate is 68%. Also pleasing is the increasing percentage of students that are gaining Merit and Excellence endorsements at all NCEA levels. I am pleased to report that we are fully staffed for 2019 with four quality teachers joining our staff this year: Mr Shane Harrison (Science), Mr Justin Jia (Commerce), Mr Patrick McNichol (English) and Miss Kayla van Endt (Mathematics).
I do value communication with you and welcome your feedback. Please do not hesitate to contact me about the good things that happen involving current and past Tawa College students, as well as any matters of concern that you would like to raise. Ngā mihi nui
Murray Lucas Principal Our Head Students for 2019 were announced at the Senior Prizegiving in November last year. The Head Students for 2019 are:
One other exciting change is that Psychology at NCEA Level 3 is now an approved University Entrance subject. It is encouraging that many of our students are not settling for mediocrity. In 2018, seven Tawa College students attained 10 subject scholarships, with Jaimie Balmer gaining three scholarships which is an impressive result. Scholarships were attained in Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English, History, Media, Physics and PE. At the end of 2018 the Tawa College Girls Cricket 1st XI competed at the National Secondary Schools finals in Christchurch. Tawa College finished a commendable 3rd. Recently Toby Gualter was selected in the NZ Under 19 team to compete at the World Cross Country Championships. Micah Conroy our Deputy Head Boy has been selected in the U19 NZ Cricket Team to tour
Head Boy Tayne McMahon (top right) Head Girl Yasmeen Prescott (bottom right) Deputy Head Boy Micah Conroy (top left) Deputy Head Girl Nina Brown (bottom left)
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The Prefects for 2019 are: Analisa Ewens Hayley Gotlieb Nina Harris Sarah Harriss McKenzie Hepburn Paris Oliver Catilin Perkins Aamy Roshan Leilena Sei Amy Singer Kitty Sneyd-Utting Samantha Wallis Poppy Walsh
School Website Adam Cameron Marcus Clark Joel Crampton Bayley Goldstone William Huang Troy Hunter-Day Harrison Johnson Hamish King Xavier Krause Karlin Murray Caleb Tulepu KaHana Whitewood Kevin Ye
https://www.tawacollege.school.nz/ is the site for parents and caregivers to find information about the school.
E2Learn
PARENT PORTAL & SCHOOL APP
Parent/Student Portal
Is the site for students to find information about the day to day running of the school.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Your logon and password remain as per last year and this 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. The Portal is the main source for both parents and students for Attendance, Timetable, Achievement and later in the year Course Selection.
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.
BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE - BYOD
School App The School App continues to be an accessible source of information about the school and is used by many caregivers to notify school of absence. It will also be used to push out information throughout the year and in emergencies please subscribe to a group.
Since the beginning of 2017, Year 9 students have been expected to Bring Their Own Device. Student interviews and subsequent communications have emphasised this, as well as the fact that students need to bring their device to school each day. There are good reasons for teachers moving into ELearning using devices:
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This is part of the Tawa College Strategic Plan. The College has well-developed E-Pedagogy resources across the curriculum. 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 – currently beng trialled - will be introduced over the next few years.
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.
REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES
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.
UNIFORM INFORMATION
A full review of the Tawa College uniform was conducted last year including input from students and their families, staff and the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees Uniform sub-committee have approved the introduction of the following items with effect from 30 January 2019. Please note however that all existing items will remain compliant and can still be purchased. As your child outgrows or requires new items, these can be replaced with the new designs. The changes are: 1. All students may now wear plain black calf length socks. 2. Silver shirts and blouses with a stitched Tawa College monogram are now available. 3. All students have the choice of wearing the Tawa College shorts or skirt with the current shirts and blouses, or the new silver top. 4. The formal uniform remains unchanged: long grey trousers with a plain white shirt worn with the Tawa College tie. 5. New blazers will be available for purchase at a later date. 6. All uniform items are currently available via Classic Uniforms (Wall Place, Linden) or Argyle Online. Freda Kelly Executive Officer
TAWA COLLEGE LIBRARY
We hope everyone enjoyed the books they took out over the holidays for Summer Reading! These books need to be returned to school now, however, if you’re not quite finished and you would like to renew the items you have, please come and talk to Mrs Smith or Mrs Morris. If you are not sure what you have loaned, you can check your library account online in just a couple of easy steps: Step 1: Go to E2learn; select the Library from the tab bar and the Library Webpage from the drop down menu.
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Step 2: You are currently visiting the webpage as a Guest. On the top right hand corner of the screen is the word Guest. Click on this and in the Borrower ID/ Username box enter your school username and login.
In exchange, we all learn from them and the College really benefits from having such an amazing range of visitors. We are happy that we have been able to supply some wonderful weather so far!
Your account will appear and will list all the books you have on loan from Tawa College. To close the screen, you can click on the Home button or simply logout.
When you are living in a strange culture and speaking a different language it can be a challenge - especially once the initial excitement wears off. We are very grateful to the host families who take such good care of our Internationals, and to their patient and professional teachers and other staff.
If you have any problems, please come and let us know. If you haven’t created any New Year resolutions for 2019, how about setting yourself a reading challenge? A reading challenge can be as simple as setting yourself a goal to read one book a month or even the goal of reading ten pages of a book a day. If you are unsure how to set up a reading challenge, come in to the Library for some ideas, we can even help you to create a booklist that’s just for you!
HOMESTAYS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Homestays needed for International Students We are looking for families to join our existing pool of Homestay caregivers. We have more International Students arriving in July for short and long term study but we also need families who could take a student at short notice for when a regular host family has to go away for a family event like a wedding or something unexpected comes up. Hosting can be exciting, rewarding and educational. The College pays full board to host families. If you would like more information, please e-mail our Homestay Coordinator jsalter@tawacollege.school.nz or leave your details with the school office on 04 232 8184. International Students Arrive for 2019 The International Department has been busy as ever at the start of term with the arrival of 16 new students from overseas who are here for one term, two terms or longer.
Most of all, it is great to see Tawa students in all years who reach out and make friends because those relationships are the things that the Internationals will remember the most when they go home.
SPORTS DEPARTMENT
WINTER SPORT CODES To register for winter sport please go to our sport page via e2learn or use the following link: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/88924 Please note that completed registration forms and trial fee of $60.00 need to be received before or on Thursday 21 February 2019. We are also having a registration night on Thursday 21 February - 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the school gym. This will give you the opportunity to speak with the sport department and various coaches and convenors. Please do not hesitate to contact the sports office with any questions, queries or concerns: Tawa College Sports Office P: 232 8184 xtn 851 M: 027 440 3315 E: sport@tawacollege.school.nz
The new International students are from Japan, Germany, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam. Along with 11 returning students who come from Cambodia, Fiji, Malaysia, the Philippines, Switzerland and Italy, they are here to improve their English but also to learn about the kiwi way of life and enjoy some new experiences in a country far from home.
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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. For further information, please email Alison Roberts, HOD Learning Support, on aliroberts@tawacollege.school.nz or call the college on 232 8184 X 847.
TRANSITION AND CAREERS DEPARTMENT
STAR – (short courses) Tawa College Careers Department offer a range of short taster courses throughout the year. These are advertised in the Student Notices and on Tawa College Career’s Facebook page. Come and see Mrs Gillum in T12 for more information. University Visits Timetable All NZ Universities make an introductory visit to Tawa College during either Term 1 or the start of Term 2. Students at any year level are welcome to attend these sessions which are held in the library annex at lunchtimes. In Term 3 the Universities visit again to talk with Year 13’s more specifically about courses and subjects for the following year. Please make a note of the times listed below detailing the dates that Universities are attending over the next few weeks. You are welcome to bring your lunch to these sessions, which usually last around 45 minutes.
Tawa College Careers Department and Facebook Tawa College Career’s Department have our own Facebook page for all students and families to “Like”. This is proving to be a great communication tool for the students to keep up to date with what is going on with short courses, career visit dates, open days, scholarships, University visits, Tertiary Open Day dates, part time/full time job opportunities, speakers and more.
Term 2
The Careers Department is located in T Block. Students at all year levels are welcome to visit and explore pathway options and collect information. To discuss your interests, talents, and career aspirations or if you have no idea of what is next for you, you need to make an appointment with either Mrs Wiltshire (kwiltshire@tawacollege.school.nz) or Mrs Rogers (krogers@tawacollege.school.nz). Whānau and friends are welcome to attend appointments with you. Either email us or write your name on the careers appointments noticeboard outside T11.
Term 1
Tuesday 12 March Wednesday 27 March Friday 29 March Wednesday 3 April Friday 5 April Wednesday 8 May
Auckland University of Technology Victoria University Otago University Canterbury University Auckland University Massey University
We will have other lunchtime sessions that students can attend during the year with NZ Defence Force, Whitireia/Weltec and speakers that are industry specific, i.e. trades, nursing etc. These are advertised in the school notices and when we have our new careers tab up and running, they will also be on the Tawa College website. Tawa College Gateway Programme 2019 Gateway classes have begun with groups of Year 12 and 13 students keen to start their work placements. There are a few unit standards, and courses (such as Health and Safety, and First Aid) to be achieved before students go out to work, but we are aiming to have most placements finalised by the middle of Term 2. Your students will be bringing home various Gateway forms for parents to sign over the next few weeks.
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TAWA COLLEGE COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Encourage the older members of the community to attend the Staying Safe For Senior Drivers course which has been sponsored by the Tawa Lions Club. It is a very valuable course for anyone over 60. Have a look at the website to see the full range of available courses.
Community Education Term 1 2018 Term 1 classes start on Monday 11 February and details are on the web site www.tawacomed.co.nz
Judith Havill comed@tawacollege.school.nz Community Education Coordinator
COMMUNITY EVENTS and NOTICES
Of particular interest to parents of college students will be the one-night seminar on CYBERSAFETY on Monday 18 February from 7-9pm.
Many parents/caregivers today share an interest - and even sometimes a concern about their kids' digital lives. This seminar will introduce you to issues, topics and concerns about students online digital footprint. Topics open for discussion could include cyber-bullying, video violence and/or pornographic content, digital footprint, privacy surveillance, social media and body image. Other one night seminars include Break Free from Emotional Eating, Navigating Dementia, Family Trusts, Wills & Powers of Attorney, Overcoming Anxiety, Stress & Depression, Persian Sweets and Change Your Thinking - Change Your Life. There are a number of new courses. One of the most popular is Tawa and its Bush Reserves which will be run by Gil Roper who has also written a book by the same name. This course will also include some walks through the Tawa bush reserves. Other new courses include a number of craft courses such as Lace Making, Cross Stitch, & Decoupage as well as cooking classes such as Fine Dining and Persian Sweets and life style classes such as Plan & Create Your Ideal Retirement.
This competition is a collaboration between the Victoria University Esports Association (VESA) and local esports businesses to renew the esports sector in Wellington. Our event will be a two stage League of Legends tournament over March and April 2019 via an online group stage comprising a round robin tournament then holding live single elimination finals at the Wellington Armageddon Expo in April. We are keen to get participation from as many college teams as possible due to the large growth of esports with younger generations.
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Arts a Go Go! Performing Arts School for Kids Tawa has limited places available on Saturdays in our popular drama, dance and singing combo classes for students aged 6 – teenagers. For more details, please see www.artsagogo.co.nz , contact rachel@artsagogo.co.nz or ph 0211441641
BIG AIR Tawa Master a new skill and make friends for life in one of BIGAIR's gym classes. TUMBLING, TRAMPOLINE, FREE RUNNING and even COMPETITIVE CHEERLEADING are just some of the amazing classes run by BIGAIR. Students will learn walkovers, handsprings, flips and twisting. BIGAIR's Cheerleaders have had great success all over New Zealand, and even internationally. To find out more, please call Bigair Gym Tawa on 2323508 or email office@bigairgym.co.nz.
Tawa College supports recycling. Please think about Recycling your old cell phones. It does not matter h ow old or what condition. Put them in the box in the student office. Save our landfills. Raise funds for Autism NZ.
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UPCOMING EVENTS (can be subject to change)
Please refer to the e2Learn website February 2019 Thursday 21
Sunday 24 Monday 25 March 2019 Monday 4 Monday 11 Monday 25 Wednesday 27 Friday 29 April 2019 Tuesday 2
Wednesday 3
Thursday 4 Friday 5 Tuesday 9 Friday 12
Athletics Day Years 9 & 10 Winter Sports Registration 5.30pm to 7.30pm School Gym Havelock North Exchange Havelock North Exchange
Simply Dental all week Attitude Speakers All year levels NZSS Summer Tournament Victoria University visit Library - lunchtime Otago University visit Library - lunchtime Learning Conferences Classes Periods 1, 2 and 3 Conferences start at 1.20pm Learning Conferences 12pm to 8pm No timetabled lessons today Late start today Period 1 at 9.35am Auckland University visit Library – lunchtime Academic Prizegiving End of Term 1 Students dismissed 1.20pm
Year 10 students clearing a garden during EOTC community service at the end of Term 4, 2018
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